The load-bearing capacity of natural airfield pavement has a direct impact on the safety of air operations. Unfortunately, the field tests often indicate that the load-bearing capacity of natural airfield pavements is not sufficient. In this case, it is necessary to reinforce them in order to meet the requirements set out in international documents. It is important that the method of reinforcing the subsoil is fast and as noninvasively as possible. There are many methods of reinforcing the subsoil, however, they are expensive and time-demanding, which involves turning off the airport for a long time. Airfield geocells made of recycled plastics discussed in the article seem to be the optimal solution due to the quick implementation of their application by pressing into the existing natural pavement. The article presents the results of laboratory tests demonstrating that material in question is load-resistant and chemical-resistant, while field studies have confirmed that the airfield geocell made of the plastic in question improves the load carrying capacity of natural airfield pavement.
Keywords: natural airfield pavement; plastics; recycling; safety of air operations.