Determining the Pavement Classification Number (PCN)
Safety and continuity of air traffic
Airport pavements must meet strict international standards for bearing capacity. The Aircraft Classification Number (ACN) is a number expressing the effect of an aircraft on the runway pavement, using a method defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Pavement Classification Number (PCN) is an ICAO standard used in combination with the ACN to indicate the strength of a runway, taxiway or apron. Aircraft with an ACN less than or equal to the PCN, may freely use the pavements.
With the increasing growth of air traffic, the load on pavements increases as well.
Bearing capacity testing is necessary to ensure the safety and continuity of air traffic.
QRoad provides the solution for getting PCN values through Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) testing. Our equipment allows us to simulate heavy wheel loads, from airplanes such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. We have extensive experience in working at airports.
FWD and GPR testing for airports
- Existing pavements: determining the PCN, stiffness, residual life and layer thickness
- New pavements: as a starting point for efficient pavement management
- Concrete slabs: determining load transfer
- During construction: determining the stiffness of the subbase and base course
- As a verification method
- As a verification method
