Evaluation of aircraft wheel load on pavement damages by layered elastic method

Abstract

As the aircraft industry grows, different aircraft come onto the market which vary in terms of use (e.g., generic, military, commercial, and passenger), geometric shape of the wheels and main gear configuration. In this paper, LEDFAA software was used to investigate the effect of Airbus and Boeing gear configuration on rigid and flexible pavement of runways. Cumulative damage factor defined as the amount of the structural fatigue life of a pavement, which has been accumulated, was calculated for Airbus and Boeing aircraft in this research as well. To validate the numerical analysis in this study, cumulative damage factor curves were drawn using FAARFIELD software. The effect of gear configuration and lateral distance from centerline of runway were also evaluated and critical zones of runway were detected.This paper confirms advisory circular AC150/5320-16 about B-777. This advisory circular canceled airport pavement design in mixed traffic for the Boeing 777 aircraft. In other words, among Airbus group aircraft, A-340-500/600 has the most damage factor contribution on flexible and rigid pavements. This research also presents the structure of the new Federal Aviation Administration program for pavement thickness design. Sample results from the program are presented and compared with the results obtained from the existing Federal Aviation Administration design procedures.