Rubber Tire Buildup Removal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Quintin Watkins,P.E. Prime Engineering, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Rick Boudreau, P.E.Boudreau Engineering, Atlanta, GA

Rob Rau, CM and Heinz Hansen, CMHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

2010 FAA Worldwide Airport Technology Transfer ConferenceApril 20-22, 2010, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

5 Runways

2 Arrivals –

•9L (1972) & 8R (2006)

2 Departures –

• 9R (1999) & 8L (1984)

1 Mixed –

•10/28 (2006)

1,400 Peak Daily Arrivals

400,000 Landing Ops per year

WHY MEASURE FRICTION ON RUNWAYS?

“Contaminants, such as rubber deposits, dust particles, jet fuel, oil spillage, water, snow, ice and slush, all cause friction loss on runway pavement surfaces.”

“The most persistent contaminant problem is deposit of rubber from tires of landing jet aircraft”

“Heavy rubber deposits can completely cover the pavement surface texture causing loss of aircraft braking capability and directional control, particularly when runways are wet.”

Source: FAA AC 150/5320-12C Paragraph 3-1

SARSYS FRICTION TESTER - SFT(SCANDINAVIAN AIRPORT AND ROAD SYSTEMS)

SAAB 9-5

SAAB 9000

CFME- Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment

The “Mu Value” is calculated by the horizontal force divided by the vertical force or by using the measured torque generated at the measuring tire.

Runway friction coefficient (property of micro and macro surface)

TESTING PROCEDURE

“Friction surveys should be conducted 10 and 20 feet to the right of the runway centerline to determine the worst case condition.”

“The SFT is equipped with a self-wetting system to simulate rain wet pavement surface conditions and provide the operator with a continuous record of friction values along the length of the runway.”

Source: FAA AC 150/5320-12C Paragraph 3-15(a)

TESTING FREQUENCY & REQUIRED Mu VALUES

FRICTION TESTING CONDUCTED ON

Arrival Runways BIWEEKLY

8L-26R, 9R-27L, 10-28

Departure Runways QUARTERLY

8R-26L, 9L-27R

Minimum Friction Level - .50

Maintenance Planning Friction Level - .60

Source: FAA AC 150/5320-12C Table 3-2 ‘FRICTION LEVEL CLASSIFICATION FOR RUNWAY PAVEMENT SURFACES

Runway 8R-26L Mu Values at Opening 2006

Mu = 0.80 at opening

RUNWAY PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE & REMOVAL SCHEDULE

Runway 8L/26R 9R/27L 10/28 8R/26L2005 11/05 (R)2006 6/06 (C) 6/06 (C)

9/06 (C)12/06 (C) 12/06 (R) 12/06 (S) 12/06 (S)

2007 4/07 (C) 3/07 (C) 4/07 (C)8/07 (C) 8/07 (C) 7/07 (C)

11/07 (C) 12/07 (C) 10/07 (S)2008 6/08 (C) 6/08 (C) 7/08 (C)2009 2/09 (C) 4/09 (C)

7/09 (C) 7/09 (C) 7/09 (C)12/09 (S) 12/09 (S) 12/09 (S)

C- Chemical RemovalS- Shot BlastR- Regrooved

No Maintenance required on Runway 9L

Runway 9R-27L Mu Values before Chemical Removal

Runway 9R-27L Mu Values after Chemical Removal

Runway 9R-27L Mu Values before Shot Blasting

Runway 9R-27L Mu Values after Shot Blasting

Conclusions

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Uses a combination of

• Chemical Removal average Friction Value of 0.80

• Shot Blasting average Friction Value of 0.90

QUESTIONS ???

THANK YOU!