b'34 C08 | LYV | 4F9 | 2H9RUNWAYS PHOTO: DGR ENGINEERINGAirports Apply Heavy Surface Treatmentto Increase Service Life of Asphalt RunwaysBY KRISTEN RINDFLEISCHThe history of airfield pavement is filled with products andModification of Standards approval. Even so, individual airports and technologies originally developed for the road and highwaystate aviation agencies are finding alternative funding and forging industry. The latest chapter in that story is an asphaltahead with its use after seeing its potential return on investment. surface treatment that has been successfully applied in more than 20 significant airport projects since 2019, including three generalWhat Makes It Differentaviation runways completed late last year in Colorado, MinnesotaWhile standard P608 surface treatment is an FAA specification (since and North Dakota. Based on the positive outcomes, even more2014), it provides limited benefits to severely distressed runways. applications are planned for 2024 and 2025 across the U.S.Personnel from Asphalt Systems Inc. explain that the newer, heavier P608H asphalt surface treatment is designed to mitigateP608H version seals and protects airfield surfaces with even raveling and weathering distress on structurally sound runwayscoverage and also protects the edges and faces of distress cracks, that are not typically candidates for seal coating or surfacethus minimizing foreign object debris from treated cracks. treatments currently specified by the FAA. It is a thicker, heavierWhen comparing the newer, heavier product to standard product than standard P608 (the H in its name is for heavier)P608, they note that P608H has three to four times the amount that can extend the service life of airfield pavement four to eightof binder residue and five to seven times the amount of friction yearspossibly seven to 10 years under ideal conditions. fine aggregate. In addition, it is designed with significantly more Development of an original version of the product began in 2015,polymer to lock in the heavier aggregate, which speeds cure and the treatment was launched to the road/highway market intime and provides more durability. The heavy formula also offers 2018; and a subsequent version with smaller fine aggregate andmore protection against oxidizing moisture and UV rays, they other modifications was introduced to the aviation industry in 2019.add. P608H treats approximately the top quarter-inch surface Independent third-party subject matter expert engineers helpedof asphalt, so it does not fill cracks deeper than that into the confirm the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.pavement or subgrade. Because P608H was only recently submitted to the FAA forLike other surface treatments, P608H requires standard consideration, projects using it are not eligible for FAA funding withoutpreparation, including vacuum truck sweeping, blowing and January | February 2024AirportImprovement.com'