How are runways different form highways that they never seem to have potholes? Is it how they’re constructed? Or how they’re maintained?
In: 1
Runways are re-paved quite often. That’s the only thing you can do to stop potholes, cause water gets in, freeze, and the ice breaks it apart. Repeat for some years and entire chunks will detach. When you re-pave you fill those gaps with new tar, preventing further deterioration.
This said, a runway is generally a gigantic concrete slab with tarmac on top. It’s not built like roads. If you drive a big plane on a road full load, it would sink in the road. We are speaking of 10-30ton per individual wheel.
Runways may look like highways, but they are a far different beast. Runways are high tech things, far flatter, with a much deeper foundation, and constructed of a higher grade of material which is much denser than common asphalt. Runways are also meticulously maintained and inspected at major airports many times during the working day. If any defect is found, the runway is immediately shut down and repaired.
Runways may look like highways, but they are a far different beast. Runways are high tech things, far flatter, with a much deeper foundation, and constructed of a higher grade of material which is much denser than common asphalt. Runways are also meticulously maintained and inspected at major airports many times during the working day. If any defect is found, the runway is immediately shut down and repaired.
Runways may look like highways, but they are a far different beast. Runways are high tech things, far flatter, with a much deeper foundation, and constructed of a higher grade of material which is much denser than common asphalt. Runways are also meticulously maintained and inspected at major airports many times during the working day. If any defect is found, the runway is immediately shut down and repaired.
Latest Answers