Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

PASER
Manual
Concrete Airfield Pavements

RATING
5

RATING
3

RATING
1
Contents

Introduction 2

Evaluating pavement condition 3

Surface defects 4
Joints 6
Pavement cracks 7
Pavement distortion 10

Rating pavement surface condition 13

Rating system 13
Rating 5 — Excellent 14
Rating 4 — Good 14
Rating 3 — Fair 15
Rating 2 — Poor 16
Rating 1 — Failed 17

Practical advice on rating roads 19

Airfield Pavement Inventory inside back cover

This manual is intended to assist airfield managers in understanding

and rating the surface condition of rigid Portland Cement Concrete
(PCC) pavements. It describes types and causes of distress and
provides a simple system to visually rate pavement condition.

Produced for the Federal Aviation Administration by Engineering

Professional Development, College of Engineering, University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014

Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

PASER
Manual
Concrete Airfield Pavements

Donald Walker, P.E., University of Wisconsin–Madison, author

Lynn Entine, Entine & Associates, editor
Susan Kummer, Artifax, designer
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014

PASER — Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating

Concrete Airfield Pavements

An airport manager’s goal is to use available funds to provide a safe and

economical pavement surface. This is no simple task. It requires balancing
priorities and making difficult decisions in order to manage pavements. This
manual offers useful information for planning maintenance and managing
Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) pavements. It discusses common problems
and typical repairs and includes a visual system for evaluating and rating
PCC pavements.
General aviation airfield pavements are often managed informally, based on
the staff’s judgment and experience. While this process is both important and
functional, using a slightly more formalized technique can make it easier to
manage pavements effectively.
Experience has shown that there are three steps that are especially useful in
managing airfield pavements:
1) Inventory all pavements.
2) Periodically evaluate the condition of all pavements.
3) Use the condition evaluations to set priorities for projects and
evaluate alternative treatments.
A comprehensive pavement management system involves collecting data
and assessing several pavement characteristics: roughness, surface distress
(condition), surface skid characteristics, drainage, and structure (pavement
strength and deflection). Planners can combine this condition data with
economic analysis, to develop short-range and long-range plans for a variety
of budget levels. However, general aviation agencies may lack the resources
for such a full-scale system.
Since surface condition is the most vital element in any pavement manage-
ment system, managers may use the simplified rating system presented in this
Concrete Airfield Pavements PASER Manual to evaluate their pavements. A
PASER Manual for asphalt airfield pavements is also available (see References,
page 20).
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
3

Evaluating pavement condition

Rigid pavement performance higher edge loads. These higher edge PCC pavement conditions
loads can cause further cracking and and defects
PCC pavements are either plain (non- deterioration along the joint, or crack
reinforced) or reinforced concrete. edges. It is helpful to separate various condi-
Reinforcement is usually provided by Many concrete pavements use tions common to PCC pavements.
steel wire mesh placed approximately joints that have load transfer dowels. These are described individually in
at mid-slab depth. The reinforcement These are smooth steel bars placed some detail. We include causes for
is intended to limit crack opening and across the joint. They transfer traffic deterioration and common strategies
movement in the concrete slab. Most loads between adjacent concrete for repair. Some defects are localized
airfield pavements are not reinforced. slabs while allowing the joint to open while others indicate that problems
Since concrete slabs need to move and close. These bars can rust and may develop throughout the pave-
(expand and contract) with changes in sometimes cause problems. The ment. It is important to distinguish
temperature and during initial cure corrosion causes forces on the between local and widespread defects.
(drying and shrinkage), pavements are concrete which leads to spalling, Assessing the conditions of actual
constructed with contraction joints. cracking, and general joint deterior- pavements also involves looking for
These are usually sawn into the pave- ation. Epoxy coated dowels may be combinations of these individual
ment shortly after initial curing. This used to reduce corrosion. defects.
joint gives the slab a place to crack and Unsupported slab edges will deflect There are four major categories of
makes a straight, well-formed groove or bend under a load. If the support- common PCC pavement surface
to seal. Runways, taxiways and aprons ing soil is saturated it can squirt up distress and condition:
(ramps) are sawn to create square slabs through joints or cracks when the Surface defects
ranging from 15’ to a maximum of 25’. slab bends. This is called pumping. Polishing, map cracking, pop-outs,
Isolation joints are occasionally Eventually the loss of supporting soil scaling, spalling.
provided. These are wider, full depth, through pumping creates an empty Joints
and filled with a material to allow space or void under the slab. The Longitudinal and transverse joints.
expansion. If used, they are placed slabs may then crack further under
adjacent to structures that cannot move Pavement cracks
loads and joints will deteriorate more.
with the pavement such as buildings, Slab cracks, D-cracking, corner
Undoweled joints under heavy
manholes, and other utility structures. cracks, meander cracks, manhole
traffic may fault. This is when one
These isolation joints are also used at and inlet cracking.
slab edge is lower than the next slab.
pavement intersections and allow Faulting is more likely on pavements Pavement distortion
changes in joint patterns. with most of the traffic in one Pavement settlement or heave;
Rigid, PCC pavements carry traffic direction. The downstream traffic slab blow ups; faulting; utility repairs,
loadings differently than flexible will be lower than the upstream slab, patches and potholes.
pavements (asphalt). Concrete pave- creating a step. Faulting creates a
ments are designed to act like a beam In reviewing the different defects
rough pavement. it is important to consider both their
and use the bending strength of the You can often detect pumping by
slabs to carry the load. Therefore, load severity and extent. Generally, condi-
the soil stains around pavement joints tions begin slowly and progressively
transfer across cracks and joints is or cracks. The resulting voids can be
important, especially on pavements become more serious. Slight defects
grouted full or sub-sealed. Slabs can may grow into moderate and then
with heavy traffic loading. Hairline and be leveled by slab jacking or mud
narrow cracks still have interlocked severe conditions. In addition, defects
jacking. Obviously, sealing cracks and might initially be indicated only in a
concrete aggregate and can effectively joints and improving subsoil drainage
transfer loads. Because wide cracks few isolated cases. Examples in the
will help reduce pumping, faulting, rating section will help identify how
and widely-spaced joints open up, they and joint failures.
cannot transfer loads and must take bad and how extensive a condition is.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
4 EVALUATION — Surface Defects

▼
SURFACE DEFECTS Close-up of a polished
pavement surface.
Polishing
A worn or polished surface may
develop from traffic wearing off the
surface mortar and skid-resistant
texture. An asphalt overlay or
grinding the concrete surface
can restore skid resistance.

Map cracking
A pattern of fine cracks usually
spaced within several inches is called
map cracking. It usually develops
into square or other geometrical
patterns. Map cracking can be
caused by improper cure or over-
working the surface during finishing.
It may also indicate a problem with
the quality of the aggregate known ▼
as ASR (alkali-silica reactivity). If
severe, cracks may spall or the Map cracking
surface may scale. Repair is usually has hairline
surface cracks,
limited to very severe conditions.
probably
An asphalt overlay or partial depth shallow in
patching may then be necessary. depth. May
not cause any
long-term
Pop-outs performance
Individual pieces of large aggregate problems.
may pop out of the surface. This is
often caused by chert or other
absorbent aggregates that deterio-
rate under freeze-thaw conditions.
▼

Pop-outs alone do not usually affect Several

pavement serviceability. However, pop-outs
damage to aircraft from the debris in a new
may occur. For severe areas, a slab.
patch, overlay or slab replacement
may be necessary.
▼

Extensive
pop-outs
of large
aggregate
from surface.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
EVALUATION — Surface Defects 5

Scaling
Scaling is surface deterioration that
causes loss of fine aggregate and
mortar. More extensive scaling can
result in loss of large aggregate. The
cause often is using concrete which
has not been air-entrained, making
the surface susceptible to freeze-thaw
damage.
Scaling can occur as a general condition
over a large area or be isolated to
▼ locations where poor quality concrete or
▼

Moderate surface improper finishing techniques caused

Slight scaling.
Minor loss of scaling. Loss of loss of entrained air. In severe cases,
surface mortar. mortar and fines deterioration can extend deep into the
starting to expose concrete. Debris from scaling can
larger aggregate. damage aircraft.
▼
Grinding may remove poor quality
Severe surface concrete. Partial depth patching
scaling. of isolated areas may also prolong the
Some larger life of the pavement. Severe scaling may
aggregate is require slab replacement.
loose.

Spalling
Spalling is the loss of a piece of the
concrete pavement from the surface or
along the edges of cracks and joints.
Cracking or freeze-thaw action may
break the concrete loose, or spalling
may be caused by poor quality mate-
rials. Spalling may be limited to small
▼

Small pieces in isolated areas or be quite

surface spall deep and extensive. Large pieces of
that has loose concrete can cause serious
been damage to aircraft.
patched.
Repair will depend on the cause. Small
spalled areas are often patched. Spalling
at joints may require full depth joint
repair or full slab replacement.
▼

Spall at crack.
Creates
dangerous
debris.
▼

Spalling
along a joint.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
6 EVALUATION — Joints

JOINTS

Construction joints or sawn joints

are narrow and usually well sealed.
As pavements age and materials
deteriorate, joints may open wider and
deteriorate further. Cracks parallel to the
initial joint may develop and accelerate
into spalling or raveling. Settlement,
instability, or pumping of subgrade soil
can cause joints to fault. One common
cause of cracks parallel to joints is
waiting too long after the pour to saw
the joint. Then, during initial cure the
slab will crack near the sawn joint.
Maintaining a tight joint seal can
prevent intrusion of water and debris
and reduce freeze-thaw damage and
pumping. Debris may accumulate in
open joints which prevents normal
joint movement. This will greatly ▼ ▼
accelerate joint deterioration. Severe New pavement with good joints. Joint sealant deterioration on apron.
joint deterioration may require full Slab is in good condition.
depth patching and joint replacement.
▼

Taxiway with
spalled joint.

▼ ▼
Joint sealant in poor Severe spalling
condition. Loss of along joint and
bond to edge allows crack. Creates debris.
water into pavement.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
EVALUATION — Cracks 7

PAVEMENT CRACKS

Slab cracks
Slab cracks divide the slab into 2 or
more pieces. They can be caused by
thermal stresses, poor subgrade support,
▼ or heavy loadings. They are sometimes
related to slabs with joints spaced too
Hairline slab crack.
widely. Slabs with a length-to-width ratio
Tight with no spalling.
greater than 1.25 are more likely to
develop mid-slab cracks.
▼

As with joints, these cracks may deteri-

Crack next to joint often
caused by late sawing. Crack orate further if not sealed well. Slabs
shows early signs of spalling. can fault at cracks. Cracks can spall
and develop additional parallel cracking.
Severe deterioration may require
patching individual cracks. Multiple
Slab crack with grass, transverse cracks in individual slabs
no sealant, and spalls
indicate further deterioration. Extensive
developing.
slab cracking indicates pavement failure
▼
and the need for complete replacement.
▼
▼
Slab crack
with spalling
and debris.
Multiple slab cracks
and broken pavement.
Replacement needed.
▼
▼

Closely spaced, hair-line,

transverse cracks indicate slab
is broken and needs replacing.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
8 EVALUATION — Cracks

D-cracks
Surface discoloration near joints
Occasionally, severe deterioration may and cracks indicates D-cracking
develop from poor quality aggregate. and severe slab deterioration.
So called D-cracks or disintegration ▼

▼
cracking, develop when the aggregate
is able to absorb moisture.
This causes the aggregate to break apart
under freeze-thaw action which leads
to deterioration. Usually, it starts at the
bottom of the slab and moves upward.
Fine cracking and a dark discoloration
adjacent to the joint often indicate a
D-cracking problem. Once this is visible
on the surface the pavement material
is usually severely deteriorated and
complete replacement is required.
Joint or crack sealing helps slow
D-cracking deterioration. This is a serious
defect because it may indicate a material
quality problem throughout the pave-
ment. Milling and patching has proven
successful as a short term repair.
▼

Multiple crack
patterns adjacent
to joints. Common
D-cracking pattern.
▼

Corner cracks Corner

Diagonal cracks may develop near the cracking
with
corner of a concrete slab, forming a
slight
triangle with the joint. Usually these spalling.
cracks are within a foot or two of the
slab corner and are caused by insufficient
soil support or concentrated stress due to
temperature-related slab movement. The
corner breaks under traffic loading. They
may begin as hairline cracks.
Some corner cracks extend the full
▼

depth of the slab while others start at the Corner

surface and angle down toward the joint. cracking,
With further deterioration, more cracking severe
develops, and eventually the entire spalling,
and
broken area may come loose. This may
dangerous
be a localized failure, but it often debris.
indicates widespread maintenance
problems.
▼

Corner cracking in
Partial or full depth concrete patching
all four slabs.
or full depth joint replacement may be
needed when corner cracking is
extensive.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
EVALUATION — Cracks 9

Meander cracks

▼
Meander
crack caused Some pavement cracks appear to
by settlement. wander randomly. They may cross a
Lack of slab diagonally or meander in a random
maintenance manner. Meander cracks may be caused
allows water by settlement due to unstable subsoil or
to intrude drainage problems. Frost heave and
and debris
spring thaw can also cause them. They
to collect
in crack. are often local in nature and may not
indicate general pavement problems.
Minor cracks may benefit from sealing
to minimize water intrusion. Extensive
or severe meander cracks may require
replacing the slab, stabilizing the
subsurface, or improving drainage.

▼
Faulting and Manhole and inlet cracks
spalling of a
meander The pavement adjacent to a light can,
crack. manhole, or storm sewer inlet often
cannot accommodate normal pavement
movement due to frost heaving and
temperature changes. Cracks and
faulting may develop and the concrete
slab may deteriorate further. These are
often localized design defects that may
not indicate a general pavement
problem. Sealing and patching may slow
the deterioration. Eventually full depth
repairs may be required.

Two spalls at manhole in a

new pavement. Partial depth
▼ patching would be beneficial.

▼
▼

Slabs replaced next to Inlet with severe

inlet. Good joint design. cracking and
spalling. Full depth
slab repair required.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
10 EVALUATION — Distortion

PAVEMENT DISTORTION

Pavement settling
or heave
Unstable or poorly drained subgrade
soils may cause pavements to settle after
construction. Poorly compacted utility
trenches may also settle. This may be a
gentle swale or a fairly severe dip.
Frost-susceptible soils and high water
tables can cause pavements to heave ▼
Settlement caused
during the winter months. Extensive
meander crack
pavement cracking and loss of strength with faulting. Extensive cracking and patching
during the spring can result in severe caused by settlement. Pavement was
deterioration. Improved drainage and ▼ built on unstable sub-grade soils.
stabilization of subgrade soils is usually
necessary, along with pavement
reconstruction.

Blowups
Concrete slabs may push up or be
crushed at a joint. This is caused by
expansion of the concrete where
incompressible materials (sand, debris,
etc.) have infiltrated into poorly sealed
joints. As a result, there is no space to
accommodate expansion. It is more
common in older pavements with long
joint spacing. Pavements that have
aggregate susceptible to ASR may
experience more frequent blowups.
Pressure relief joints can be installed
and blowup areas must be patched or
reconstructed. Cleaning and sealing
joints will help prevent blowups.

▼ Pavement blowup in progress—

concrete is crushed and slab buckled.

▼
Internal pressure has partially raised slab at
the joint. Complete replacement is required.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
EVALUATION — Distortion 11

Faulting
Joints and cracks may fault or develop a
step between adjacent slabs. Faulting is
caused by pumping of subgrade soils
and creation of voids. Heavy traffic can
rapidly accelerate faulting. Joints may
fault due to settlement of an adjacent
slab.
Faulting creates a rough pavement and
may cause slab deterioration. Minor
faulting can be corrected by surface
grinding. Voids can be subsealed, or
▼ slabs can be mud jacked back to level
Faulting of joints. position. Severe cases may need joint or
Aggravated by heavy slab replacement.
traffic in one direction.
Could improve surface
by grinding.

Severe joint fault.

▼
▼

Severe joint fault

and spalling.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
12 EVALUATION — Distortion

Utility repairs, patches

and potholes
Slab replacement or repair of utilities
will require cuts and slab patching.
Patches from previous repairs may
perform like original pavement or may
show settlement, joint deterioration
or distress.
Localized failures of materials or
subgrade soil can cause individual
potholes. Surface spalling or other ▼
material defects may develop into
Full depth joint
localized potholes. Full depth patching
repair. Very good
or slab replacement is usually required. condition.

▼
Joint repair with asphalt.
Very good condition.
▼

Partial depth
concrete patch
to repair corner
cracks. Good
condition.

Potholes caused
by severe joint
deterioration.
Need repair.
▼
▼

Asphalt patches. Poor (top)

and fair (bottom) condition.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
13

Rating pavement surface condition

Using your understanding of pavement Look at the photographs which Each rating also includes a recommen-
conditions and distress, you can evalu- follow and become familiar with the dation for needed maintenance or repair.
ate and rate airfield PCC pavements. descriptions of the individual rating This makes the rating system easier to
The rating scale ranges from categories. To evaluate an individual use and enhances its value as a tool in
5–excellent condition to 1–very poor pavement, first determine its general ongoing airfield pavement maintenance.
or failed. Some pavements will deteri- condition. Is it relatively new, toward the
orate through the phases listed in the top end of the scale? In very poor Rating 5 – Excellent
rating scale. The time it takes to go condition and at the bottom of the No maintenance required.
from an excellent (5) to failed condition scale? Or somewhere in between? Next,
Rating 4 – Good
(1) depends largely on the quality of the think generally about the appropriate Minor routine maintenance,
original construction, age, and the maintenance method. crack or joint sealing.
amount of heavy traffic loading. Finally, review the individual
Rating 3 – Fair
Once significant deterioration begins, pavement condition and distress and More crack or joint sealing. Isolated
it is common to see pavements deteri- select the appropriate pavement surface joint repairs or slab patching.
orate rapidly. This is usually due to the rating. Individual pavements may not Rating 2 – Poor
combined effects of loading and addi- have all of the types of distress listed for Extensive crack or joint sealing.
tional moisture. As a pavement ages any particular rating. They may have Repair severe joint deterioration.
and additional cracks develop, more only one or two types. Use the Partial and full-depth slab repairs.
moisture can enter and accelerate the categories in the rating table below. Rating 1 – Failed
rate of deterioration. Reconstruction.

Rating system
Surface Visible distress* General condition/
rating treatment measures

None. New pavement or recent major concrete

5 rehabilitation. Like-new condition. Less than
Excellent 5 years old. No maintenance required.

Hairline or sealed cracks 1⁄8” wide or less. Concrete over 5 years old. Signs of wear.
4 Map cracking. Pop-outs. Minor spot repair of cracks or joint sealant.
Good

Several slabs broken into two pieces by slab cracks. Corner First sign of significant slab cracking,
cracking on several slabs, 1⁄4” wide with no spalling. Joint corner cracking, scaling, or faulting.
3 sealant mostly in good condition, less than 10% needing Several patches. Joint sealant repair
Fair replacement. Several patches in fair to good condition. required. Isolated repair of joint or patch.
Map cracking or scaling on 10% or less of the surface area.
Slight faulting, less than 1⁄4”, in several locations.

Many slab cracks, some breaking the slab into three or Needs sealant replacement on more than
more pieces. Cracks open 1⁄8” or cracks with spalling. 10% of cracks or joints. Partial depth or full
2 D-cracks at several joints. Sealant failure over 10% of joints. depth joint repairs or patch replacement.
Poor Several patches in fair to poor condition with cracks in patch Repair faulted joints. Replace or overlay
and uneven surface. Faulting 1⁄4” to 1⁄2” in several locations. slabs with severe scaling. Bonded
Severe or extensive scaling. or unbonded concrete overlay.

Many wide cracks with failed sealant and grass. Extensive full depth joint repairs or slab
Extensive crack and joint spalling. Slabs extensively replacements. Extensive patching and
1 cracked or shattered. Many corner breaks with spalling. complete overlay. Complete reconstruction.
Failed D-cracks with spalling. Patches in poor condition with
spalling. Numerous faults over 1⁄ 2”.

* A given pavement segment may not have all of the types of distress listed for a particular rating. It may have only one or two types.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
14 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 5

EXCELLENT —
No maintenance required
Rating 5 is for new pavement
or for recent major concrete
rehabilitation. Like-new
condition. Less than 5 years old.
No maintenance required.
▼

New or
like-new
pavement
condition.

RATING 4

GOOD — Little or no
maintenance required
Minor spot repair of cracks or
joint sealing required. PCC
pavement over 5 years old.
Signs of wear: hairline or sealed
cracks 1⁄ 8” wide or less, map
cracking, pop-outs.
▼

Surface
wear and
pop-outs.
▼

Map cracking,
but pavement
is sound.
▼

Isolated
meander crack,
▼ tight and well
Partial loss of joint sealant.
sealed.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
Rating pavement surface condition 15

RATING 3

FAIR — First sign of significant

slab cracking, corner cracking,
scaling, or faulting. Several patches.
Joint sealant repair required.
Isolated repair of joint or patch.

Several slabs broken into two pieces by

slab cracks. Corner cracking on several
▼
slabs, 1⁄4” wide with no spalling. Joint
sealant mostly in good condition, less
Isolated spall than 10% needing replacement. Several
at manhole.
patches in fair to good condition. Map
cracking or scaling on 10% or less of
the surface area. Slight faulting, less than
▼

1⁄4”, in several locations.

Moderate
scaling.

▼
Crack
breaks
off large
corner
of slab.

Crack
parallel to
joint. Open
1⁄4”. No
spalling.

▼ ▼

Crack breaks slab into two Severe scaling. Joint and

pieces. Well sealed. sealant in fair condition.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
16 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 2

POOR —Cracks open 1/8”,

D-cracks at joints. Replace
sealant, repair joints.
Many slab cracks, some breaking
the slab into three or more pieces.
Cracks open 1/8” or cracks with
spalling. D-cracks at several joints.
Sealant failure over 10% of joints.
Several patches in fair to poor ▼

▼
condition with cracks in patch and Open joints and cracks. Open joint
uneven surface. Faulting 1/4” to Need sealant on more with
1/2” in several locations. Severe than 10% of joints. spalling.
or extensive scaling.

▼
Open cracks with edge
spalling. Corner crack Corner cracks with spalling.
▼ and broken corner piece. Full depth patch required.

▼
▼ ▼
Faulting of joints aggravated by
heavy traffic in one direction. Full depth joint Concrete patch in
repair required. poor condition.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
Rating pavement surface condition 17

RATING 1

FAILED — Extensive repairs,

overlay, or complete reconstruction
necessary.
Many wide cracks with failed sealant and
grass. Extensive crack and joint spalling.
Slabs extensively cracked or shattered.
Many corner breaks with spalling.
D-cracks with spalling. Patches in poor
condition with spalling. Numerous faults
over 1⁄ 2”. Extensive full depth joint
repairs or slab replacements, extensive
patching and complete overlay, or
complete reconstruction needed.
▼

Failed joint with

Inlet with severe cracking
severe spalling
and spalling. Full depth
and pothole.
slab repair required.
▼

Multiple slab cracks,

spalling and
shattered slabs.
▼

Severe joint fault

and spalling.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
18 Rating pavement surface condition

RATING 1

FAILED (continued)

Closely
spaced cracks
and poor
joint.
Reconstruct.
▼

Severe
deterioration.
Requires
reconstruction.
▼

Severe scaling over

extensive areas.
Reconstruction
required.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
19

Practical advice on rating airfield pavements

Inventory and field inspection individual features. Runways, taxiways Occasionally surface conditions vary
and aprons should be considered as significantly within a feature. For
Most airport owners routinely observe
separate categories. Within each example, short sections of good
pavement conditions as a part of their
category, the pavement should be condition may be followed by sections
normal work. However, an actual
separated into features with similar of poor surface conditions. In these
inspection means looking at the entire
construction. For example, pavements cases, it is best to rate the feature
system as a whole and preparing a
with different thickness, age, or type of according to the worst conditions and
written summary of conditions. This
construction should be rated separately. note the variation on the form.
inspection has many benefits over
A runway may be all one feature if The overall purpose of condition
casual observations. It can be helpful to
conditions are similar. However, if parts rating is to be able to compare each
compare pavement features, and ratings
of the runway have significantly differ- feature relative to all the other features
decisions are likely to be more consistent
ent construction details or condition, in your airport pavement system. On
because the system is considered as a
then separate features will make the completion you should be able to look
whole within a relatively short time.
rating more logical and useful. at any two pavement features and find
An inspection also encourages a
Each taxiway, can be considered a that the better surface has a higher
review of specific conditions important
separate feature. You may combine rating.
in pavement maintenance, such as
several sections of taxiway if conditions
drainage, adequate strength, and safety.
are similar. Assessing drainage conditions
A simple written inventory is useful
Apron areas can be separated into
in making decisions where other people Moisture and poor pavement drainage
features according to the areas they
are involved. You do not have to trust are significant factors in pavement
serve. For example, aprons serving a
your memory, and you can usually deterioration. Some assessment of
terminal, hangers, tie-down area, or
answer questions in more detail. Having drainage conditions during pavement
fueling area would be separate
a written record and objective informa- rating is highly recommended. While you
features. Areas in different conditions
tion also improves your credibility with should review drainage in detail at the
may also be separated
the funding agencies. project level, at this stage simply include
into features.
Finally, a written inventory is very an overview drainage evaluation at the
It is helpful to note the size of slabs
useful in documenting changing pave- same time as you evaluate surface
or panels as well as the number of
ment conditions. Without records over condition.
slabs in a feature. The overall area
several years, it is more difficult to know Consider both pavement surface
can be calculated and used to prepare
if conditions are improving, holding their drainage and lateral drainage (ditches or
maintenance or construction estimates.
own, or declining. storm sewers). Pavement should be able
A sample inventory form is shown on to quickly shed water off the surface.
Averaging and comparing
the inside back cover. It is very helpful Ditches should be large and deep
to collect background information on sections
enough to drain the pavement and
each feature. Pavement thickness, age, No pavement feature is entirely remove the surface water efficiently into
and major maintenance are examples consistent. Also surfaces in one section adjacent waterways.
of helpful information. may not have all of the types of distress Look at the crown and check for low
Annual budgets and long range listed for any particular rating. They surface areas that permit ponding. Run-
planning are best done when based on may have only one or two types. ways and taxiways should have approxi-
actual needs as documented with a The objective is to rate the condition mately a 1.5º% cross slope or crown
written inventory. that represents the majority of the across the pavement. Apron areas
pavement feature. Small or isolated require positive drainage and often
Pavement features conditions should not influence the include storm drainage systems.
rating. It is useful to note these special Maintenance of the entire drainage
Inventory and pavement condition data
conditions on the inventory form so system is critical. Ditches, subsurface
are normally organized by dividing the
this information can be used in plan- drains and outlets should be inspected
pavements into segments or features. A
plan or aerial photo of the entire airfield ning specific improvement projects. For
is most helpful in identifying these example, some spot repairs may be
required.
AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014
20 Practical advice on rating airfield pavements

and cleaned regularly. managers use the rating system. cation of appropriate rehabilitation
A pavement’s ability to carry heavy However, an individual surface rating projects. Assessing pavement conditions
traffic loads depends on both the should not automatically dictate the is an essential first step in this process.
pavement materials (concrete slab and final maintenance or rehabilitation This pavement surface condition rating
granular base) and the strength of the technique. procedure has proven effective in
underlying soils. Most soils lose strength Consider future traffic projections, improving decision making and using
when they are very wet. Therefore, it is original construction, and pavement funds more efficiently. It can be used
important to provide drainage to the strength since these may dictate a more directly by airport staff and consultants
top layer of the subgrade supporting comprehensive rehabilitation than the or combined with additional testing and
the pavement structure. rating suggests. data collection in a more comprehensive
pavement management system.
Planning annual maintenance Summary
and repair budgets
Using funds most efficiently requires
We have found that relating a normal good planning and accurate identifi-
maintenance or rehabilitation procedure
to the surface rating scheme helps

References
Asphalt Airfield Pavements PASER Manual, 2003, Engineering Professional
Development, College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Guidelines and Procedures for Maintenance of Airport Pavements, 7/14/03,

Federal Aviation Administration, Advisory Circular AC:150/5380-6A.
 AC 150/5320-17A Appendix B 9/10/2014

AIRFIELD PAVEMENT INVENTORY

Airfield _______________________________________________________________ Condition survey date _________________________

Done by _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Facility (runway, taxiway, apron) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature description _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature location ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feature area _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Construction date __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pavement type: ■ Asphalt ■ Concrete Layer thicknesses: ___________ ___________ ___________

Maintenance history __________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PASER Rating ( 5 = Excellent, 4 = Good, 3 = Fair, 2 = Poor, 1 = Failed)

■
Comments on pavement and drainage conditions _______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recommended maintenance ___________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recommended rehabilitation __________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASER
Concrete Airfields