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Pavements 2025

Pavement Management Systems

Pavement Management

Developing a rational basis for pavement overload concessions for a network of airfields

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM MT

    Co-Author(s)

  • Robert Bacon

    Undergrad civil engineering student
    Australian Defence Force Academy @ University of New South Wales
    Denman Prospect, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

    • Primary Author(s)

  • Sean Jamieson, MSc (Civil Eng), BEng, CPEng

    Research Coordinator, Airport Pavement Research Program
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia

    • Presenter(s)

  • Sean Jamieson, MSc (Civil Eng), BEng, CPEng

    Research Coordinator, Airport Pavement Research Program
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JX

    Jianfeng Xue, n/a

    Associate Professor
    University of New South Wales
    Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

  • Greg White, PhD, CPEng

    Director, Airport Pavement Research Program
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    YANDINA, Queensland, Australia

    • Submitter(s)

  • Sean Jamieson, MSc (Civil Eng), BEng, CPEng

    Research Coordinator, Airport Pavement Research Program
    University of the Sunshine Coast
    Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia

Abstract: Aircraft pavements are generally strength rated through the Aircraft Classification Number – Pavement Classification Number (ACN-PCN) system, or the newer Aircraft Classification Rating – Pavement Classification Rating (ACR-PCR) system. Overload operations occur when an aircraft ACN is greater than the PCN of a pavement, and in these cases, pavement concessions are granted based on an allowable ratio of ACN to PCN. The equivalent pavement structural damage for a single operation of a given ACN-PCN ratio is well understood, with airport authorities usually allowing a maximum overload concession based on a maximum ACN-PCN ratio. However, the recommended frequency of overload operations is based on a somewhat arbitrary set of rules, with different airport authorities applying different frequency limits. This research analysed the effect of overload operations on the theoretical pavement life of a network of Australian military and civilian airfields when using an existing pavement concession system. It was determined that the effect of the pavement concession system on theoretical pavement life was highly dependent on the initial design traffic inputs. A new overload concession system was then developed that considers the inherent conservatism in aircraft pavement design and construction, and allocates that conservatism to a lifetime overload allowance. Although this research and proposed concession system was performed using the ACN-PCN system and in the Australian context, it can also be adapted for overseas airports and for use with the ACR-PCR system.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Upon completion, participants will understand the purpose of the ACN-PCN, and ACR-PCR system.
  • Upon completion, participants will understand the purpose of pavement concession systems to manage overload operations at airports.
  • Upon completion, participants can describe the inherent conservatism used in airport pavement design and construction, that can be used to develop an overload concession system.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe a proposed pavement overload concession system.