AIRPORT ENGINEERING

Lecture 8

Runway configuration, Airport drainage

Rules of the Air
 Apply separation standards between aircraft
 Basic flight rules for air traffic are dependent upon the weather
condition, location and altitude of flight plan (VFR/IFR)
 Visual Flight Rule (VFR)
 Visibility at least 15 to 20 miles; allows aircraft to be flown visually when
minimum weather conditions and low traffic density.
 Aircraft fly on a “see and to be seen” principle.
 Pilots need to fly from one beacon to next (colored beacons)

 Instrumental Flight Rule (IFR)

 When the ceiling (heights of clouds) falls below a specific height
 Traffic densities are high
 ATC is responsible for proper separation between the aircrafts
Runway Configuration
 Single runway
 Parallel runways
 Open V-runways
 Intersecting runways
 Combination of runway configurations
Single Runway
 This is the simplest of the 4 basic configurations.
 It is one runway optimally positioned for prevailing winds, noise,
land use and other determining factors.
 During VFR (visual flight rule) conditions, this one runway should
accommodate up to 99 light aircraft operations per hour.
 While under IFR (instrumental flight rule) conditioned, it would
accommodate between 50 to 70 operations per hour depending on the
mix of traffic and navigational aids available at the airport.
Parallel Runway
 There are 4 types of parallel runways.
 These are named according to how closely they are
placed next to each other.
 Operations per hour will vary depending on the
total number of runways and the mix of aircrafts.
 In IFR conditions for predominantly light aircraft,
the number of operations would range between 64
to 128 per hour.
Parallel Runway
Open V-Runways
 Two runways that diverge from different directions but do NOT
intersect and form a shape that looks like an "open-V" are called
open-V runways.
 This configuration is useful when there is little or no wind as it allows
for both runways to be used at the same time.
 When the winds become strong in one direction, then only one runway
will be used.
 When takeoffs and landings are made away from the two closer ends,
the number of operations per hour significantly increases.
 When takeoffs and landings are made toward the two closer ends, the
number of operations per hour can be reduced by 50%.
Open V-Runways
Intersecting Runways
 Two or more runways that cross each other are classified
as intersecting runways.
 This type of configuration is used when there are relatively
strong prevailing winds from more than one direction
during the year.
 When the winds are strong from one direction, operations
will be limited to only one runway.
 With relatively light winds, both runways can be used
simultaneously.
 The greatest capacity for operations is accomplished when
the intersections close to the takeoff end and the landing
threshold (with the configuration on the left).
Intersecting Runways
Combination Of Runways Configurations
 Single direction is most desirable in terms of capacity and
traffic control.
 Routing of aircraft in one direction is less complex than in
multiple directions.
 Open V-runway is more desirable than intersecting
runway.
 For intersection runway place the point of intersection
close to the threshold (landing and takeoff)

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Runway Configuration Relative to Terminal (I)
Runway Configuration Relative to
Terminal (II)
Airport Drainage
Need
 Drainage system for removal of surface/ subsurface water is vital for
safe operations and durability of pavements.
 Poor drainage can result early deterioration of the pavements.
 Flat longitudinal and transverse grades and wide pavement surfaces
make the drainage difficult.

Purpose
1. Interception and diversion of surface and subsurface flow water
originating from land adjacent to the airports.
2. Removal of surface runoff from airport.
3. Removal of subsurface flow from airport.

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Airport Drainage
Layout of surface drainage:
 A finished grade contour map of runway, taxiway and apron is helpful
in the layout of storm drain system.

 Grades of storm drain should be such as to maintain a min velocity of

2.5 ft/s to avoid silting.

 To maintain an adequate velocity of flow at all the times, a diameter of

storm drain should be not less than 12”.

 Water from the drainage area is collected into storm drain by means of
inlets. Inlet structures consists of a concrete box covered with a C.I.
grating.

 The grating must support the aircraft wheel loads and designed for
contact pressure of aircraft which will be served by the airport.

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Airport Drainage
 On long tangents, inlets are spaced at 200-400 ft, location depending on
grading/ contour plan.
 If there is a taxiway parallel to runway, inlet are placed in the valley
between the taxiways and runway, otherwise the drains placed near
the edge of runway pavement.
 On aprons, inlets are placed in the pavement properly.
 This is the only way to drain a large apron area.
 All grates should be securely fastened to frames so that they will not be
jammed loose with the passage of traffic.
 Adequate depth of cover should be provided over the pipes in order to
support traffic loading. Recommended minimum depth of cover is 2’.

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Airport Drainage
Subsurface Drainage
Functions:
1. To remove water from base course.
2. Remove water from sub-grade beneath pavement.
3. Intercept, collect and remove flowing water.
Sub-grade drainage
Desirable where the water may rise to less than 1’ below base course under
the pavement.
Base drainage
Required where ground water is expected to rise to the level of base course
or where the pavement is subjected to frequent inundation and sub-grade is
highly impervious.
Intercepting drainage
Desirable where it is known that subsurface water from adjacent areas are
seeping towards airport pavements.

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Cross-section of runway
QUESTIONS ???