Design Strategies for Concrete Pavement on Soft Ground - Case Study for Tokyo International Airport

Abstract

This study presents an innovative approach to managing concrete pavement on soft ground, with a focus on the Tokyo International Airport expansion project. It addresses the challenges of designing pavements on reclaimed land, where differential settlement of the subsoil can significantly affect pavement behavior over time. The authors propose a pavement management system that evaluates the need for rehabilitation based on the extent of pavement subsidence and its adherence to subsoil settlement, analyzing two scenarios: one where pavement subsidence fully follows subsoil settlement, and another where it does not, leading to surface distress. The study utilizes the West Terminal area of the Tokyo International Airport as a case study to apply their analysis, revealing the need for rehabilitation up to three times over a 20-year period for over 60% of the area. It suggests utilizing thin bonded concrete overlays and a lift-up method for prestressed concrete pavements as rehabilitation strategies, with the latter's applicability confirmed through large-scale experiments. The paper concludes with a comprehensive management strategy, highlighting the need for accurate subsoil settlement estimation, sufficient load-carrying capacity, and established rehabilitation procedures to ensure pavement performance and durability on soft ground. (Abstract generated by AI tool ChatGPT 4)