Vancouver Airport PCC Slab Replacement Program

Maintenance, repair, and upgrades to critical runways, taxiways, and aprons

Vancouver Airport Authority (YVRAA) | Canada | 2010-2017

7years of complex project phasing

Runway PCC panels replaced and reopened to traffic in under48hours

Innovating for safe and smooth airfield operations

Challenges

  • Limited and defined aircraft gate, taxiway, and runway closure windows
  • Existing high-water table and extreme weather conditions
  • Extensive coordination with security, operations, airlines, stakeholders, contractor, and suppliers
  • Control of foreign object debris (FOD) during demolition and formulation of contingency plans

Solutions

  • The project was staged over seven years and broken into more than 20 construction phases to minimize the number and duration of aircraft gate and taxiway/runway closures.
  • With careful planning, coordination, scheduling, and new concrete technology, the disruption to the airport’s high traffic areas, including the runway, was shortened to mere days.

Highlights

  • To minimize the removal of existing pavement layers and avoid excavating below the high-water table, the FAARFIELD software program was used extensively to design efficient and constructible solutions for new pavement structures.
  • All crushed concrete and granular material was reused, eliminating the costly need to remove material offsite.
  • Because of its rapid strength-gain characteristics, Lafarge Canada’s ChronoliaTM concrete was used. Eleven PCC panels were removed and replaced over five different areas of Runway 08L-26R , returning it back to service after a 46-hour closure.

“Hatch is a key business partner whose employees bring a spirit of teamwork and collaboration….and has contributed to our ongoing success in delivering projects which meet and exceed expectations.”

Brett Patterson|Director of Engineering Projects, Vancouver Airport Authority

Project Numbers

C$10.7million construction cost (up to 2015)

How we can help you

If you have a problem that needs to be solved, please get in touch.

Contact Us