Effects of temperature on the dynamic response of airfield runway subgrade in cold regions

Subject to the coupling effect of climate and aircraft loads, different diseases of runway in cold regions have frequently occurred after long-term operation. To understand the causes of such diseases, finite element simulation and laboratory-scaled model tests were conducted. The results indicate that as the environment temperature decreased to −60°C, the landing impact load of aircraft could be magnified 1.7 times. Thus, the controlled depth for the required reinforcement construction quality of runway subgrade in cold areas should be increased to 3 m. The fundamental frequency of subgrade (f) was found to be sensitive to the coupling effect than the amplitude of the acceleration (amax) and of the acceleration energy spectrum function (PSDmax). This can supplement the dynamic difference indicated by amax and PSDmax. The Boltzmann model was successfully applied to the vibration analysis of runway subgrade (R2 > 0.9). The findings can facilitate the management and maintenance decisions for runways.