Speaker
Description
Abstract. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently developed the ACR-PCR method for reporting the bearing capacity of airport pavements. From November 2024 all paved runways, taxiways, and aprons will have to be assed according to the new ACR-PCR method. The ACR-PCR will replace the ACN-PCN method, that has been worldwide used over the last four decades and is a critical information not only for Airport Operations but also for Airport Pavement Management Systems (APMS). Unlike the ACN-PCN, the ACR-PCR method takes into account mechanistic approaches, such as multi-layered linear elastic analysis (LEA) which provides a more accurate evaluation of the bearing capacity of airport pavements. The improvements achieved through the implementation of the ACR-PCR method will benefit APMS and support more sustainable management policies. This paper intends to present recent case studies for which ACR-PCR analysis has been performed, highlighting the challenges along the process. It also intends to address troubleshooting in the calculation process through FAARFIELD (the recommended calculation software developed by the Federal Aviation Administration), regarding the PCR calculation for existing, rather than new pavement infrastructure. In doing so, this paper contributes to the discussion on the relevance of providing common ground for worldwide airport management teams that will have soon to comply with the same procedures for evaluating pavement strength.
