Climate change impacts, especially rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, have been widely noted in several regions in Canada. Such remarkable changes raise concerns about pavement serviceability, since both temperature and excess precipitation can ultimately affect pavement materials properties. This paper focuses on two major factors, namely temperature and moisture level fluctuations. An increase in the maximum temperature can decrease asphalt concrete stiffness making the pavement more prone to rutting, shoving, and premature age-hardening. On the other hand, high levels of saturation in the granular layers and subgrade can lead to pavement degradation through a reduction in the resilient modulus of these layers, increasing the rate of permanent deformations and premature fatigue cracking. However, accounting for realistic environmental factors in airport pavement design could be a challenge since most of the existing methods do not systematically consider moisture and temperature variations during the service life of airfield pavements. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology on how to efficiently account for temperature and moisture variation by quantifying their effects on the performance and design of flexible airport pavements. To this end, the damage occurred over discrete short periods of time is estimated, considering the corresponding temperature and modulus at each stage. The cumulative damage is then calculated throughout the pavement design life and is compared with that of conventional design methods. The findings indicate that realistic climatic factors should be utilized to account for climate change since such considerations can significantly affect the final design of airfield pavements.

Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

Climate change impacts, especially rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, have been widely noted in several regions in Canada. Such remarkable changes raise concerns about pavement serviceability, since both temperature and excess precipitation can ultimately affect pavement materials properties. This paper focuses on two major factors, namely temperature and moisture level fluctuations. An increase in the maximum temperature can decrease asphalt concrete stiffness making the pavement more prone to rutting, shoving, and premature age-hardening. On the other hand, high levels of saturation in the granular layers and subgrade can lead to pavement degradation through a reduction in the resilient modulus of these layers, increasing the rate of permanent deformations and premature fatigue cracking. However, accounting for realistic environmental factors in airport pavement design could be a challenge since most of the existing methods do not systematically consider moisture and temperature variations during the service life of airfield pavements. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology on how to efficiently account for temperature and moisture variation by quantifying their effects on the performance and design of flexible airport pavements. To this end, the damage occurred over discrete short periods of time is estimated, considering the corresponding temperature and modulus at each stage. The cumulative damage is then calculated throughout the pavement design life and is compared with that of conventional design methods. The findings indicate that realistic climatic factors should be utilized to account for climate change since such considerations can significantly affect the final design of airfield pavements.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/9780784483527.017)** 

Implications of Climate Variation in Flexible Airport Pavement Design and Performance

Welcome to the International Airfield and Highway Pavements Conference of the Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) of ASCE. This international conference will provide an unrivaled chance to interact and exchange information with worldwide leaders in the fields of highway and airport pavements, as well as airport safety technologies.

This conference will bring together designers, project/construction managers, academics, and contractors from around the world to discuss the state-of-the-art implementation, construction, design, in airfield and highway pavements.

Paper Proceedings: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483527 | https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483503 | https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483510

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.63284d15cb3e8e0012755dd4