Airfield Apron and Bulkhead Renovations
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Client: Naval Facilities Engineering Command MIDLANT
JMT designed airfield pavement and bulkhead improvements for a
US Navy facility, using techniques to promote sustainable
design.
JMT provided design services under a multi-phase project to
renovate and repair airfield pavement, seawall, and bulkhead at the
SP Area Naval Station at Norfolk Naval Base.
In Phase I, JMT designed the repairs of 4,600 feet of existing
seawall and bulkhead. Originally constructed in 1941, the
structure had corroded and failed, resulting in material section
loss and backfill loss behind the bulkhead. In addition,
general settlement had occurred, undermining the existing concrete
apron. Repairs included composite sheet piles, grout curtain
walls in areas where pile installation was impractical, new
full-length concrete pile cap, and additional riprap and
groundwater drainage system. Our services also included:
- Surveys to identify ground elevations and locate all utilities
and storm outfalls.
- Underwater surveys to inspect the existing bulkhead and
identify underwater obstructions.
- Engineering fieldwork to address potential subsurface erosion
concerns.
- Ground penetrating radar to identify areas of backfill
loss.
The project design allowed construction to be phased to permit
adjacent aircraft operations to proceed unimpeded.
In Phase II, we designed approximately 410,000 sf of aircraft
parking apron, including appropriate pavement markings. The
design involved phasing and staging areas to ensure adjoining
airfield remained operational during construction. Old
vintage World War II concrete pavement was removed, crushed and
graded onsite, and reused as base material for the new concrete
aircraft apron. This use satisfied "Sustainable Design" goals
for the project and dramatically helped conserve fuel use by the
contractor by greatly reducing both the number of truck trips to
dispose of demolished concrete material and to deliver new
aggregate base material. New aircraft tie-downs and grounding
points were included in the design, and antiterrorism/force
protection considerations were addressed.
The project design schedule was successfully completed within a
condensed schedule to satisfy the Navy's required aggressive
timeframe to take advantage of budgeted funds.
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