Kotoka International Airport-Northern Apron Project

Abstract: Ing Leslie Alexander Ayeh B.Sc F.Gh.I.E M.A.S.C.E
Senior Partner AYEH & AYEH , Consulting Civil Engineers, 1st Floor One Airport Square, Airport City, Accra Ghana. Email :alexander@ayehayeh.com
ABSTRACT
Kotoka International Airport has seen a significant rise in the passenger throughput from 1998 to 2019.The significant rise became evident after the completion of Phases 2 & 3 of the development plan.
Its worthy to note that the choice of one airport over another in the sub-region of Africa named West Africa is largely depended on its ability to meet customer’s needs notably the efficiency of processing both arrivals and departures (passengers & airline operators) and the environment.
To meet the challenge posed by the growth, which is about 5%, The Ghana Airport company decided to embark on providing addition aircraft stands (apron) to ensure adequate facilities.
This project is known as the Northern apron project. The project sought to provide ten parking stands (4 code E aircrafts and 6 Code C aircrafts) with associated Aeronautical Ground Lighting. In addition, the taxiway would be extended by 400 meters, so it can be at par with the existing Runway.
The topography of the terrain meant constructing an embankment of average height of 12 meters. The negotiated construction time was 42 months.
The challenge posed by this high embankment which of lateritic soil was settlement. However in this endeavour, zero tolerance for settlement was required moreover, the existing ground level had a California Bearing Ratio above 30%
To offset the challenge posed by settlement, Rockfill was proposed and interestingly, the haulage distances for both the rockfill and the natural gravel, were almost the same and would also result in the saving of about 6 months.
The rockfill of 450,000 m3 was divided into layers with sizes decreasing as the fill approached the pavement layers would be overlain with a capping layer.
This paper describes the design and the construction, the challenges met, the solutions and other reconsideration of specifications on elements of the aerodrome.