Case Study of Geogrid Reinforcement in Runway of Inchon International Airport

지오그리드를 활용한 인천국제공항 활주로 보강사례

The Inchon International Airport site was formed by reclaimed soil from the sea. The average thickness of soft soil Is about 5 m and most of soft soils are normally consolidated or slightly over consolidated. There are many box culverts which are being constructed under the runways in the airfield. Sometimes, differential settlement can be occurred in the adjacent of box culvert or underground structures at the top layer of runway Soil compaction at very near to the structure is not easy all the time. Thus, one layer of geogrid was placed at the bottom of lean concrete layer for the concrete paved runway and at the middle of cement stabilized sub-base course layer for the asphalt paved runway. The length of geogrid reinforcement is 5m from the end of box culvert for both sides. The extended length of geogrid was 2m from the end of backfill soil in the box culvert. The tensile strength tests of geogrid were conducted for make sure the chemical compatibility with cement treated sub-base material. The location of geogrid placement for the concrete paved runway was evaluated. The construction damage to the geogrid could be occurred. Because the cement treated sub-base layer or lean concrete was spread by the finisher. The magnitude of tensile strength reduction was 1.16%~1.90% due to the construction damage and the ultimate tensile strength is maintained with the specification required. Total area of geogrid placement in this project is about 50,000 $m^2$.