Increasing Airfield Design Efficiencies for Improved Performance

Welcome to the next installment of the Pipe Solutions blog!

For those of you unfamiliar, Contech is a manufacturer and a collaborative engineering partner for civil site development. I’d like to take some time now to discuss a few solutions that are especially ideal in airfield applications. In the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) most recent infrastructure report card, the aviation sector was assigned a D+ grade. While this is concerning, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) offers opportunities and resources to address these, and Contech is dedicated to helping airports become as safe, efficient, and up to date as possible.

Now let’s get to the meat of this blog, where we would like to look at two specific ways in which Contech can help maximize the efficiency in airport drainage and containment solutions.

Glycol & AFFF Containment

DuroMaxx® steel reinforced polyethylene tanks are an efficient and innovative option for Airport Authorities looking to improve the way in which spent deicing fluid and aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) is contained. This product merges the advantages of steel with the advantages of HDB-rated polyethylene resin to create a 100 year+ service life, good hydraulics, and watertight joints. It offers an efficient solution that alleviates design concerns that have previously afflicted airports. No longer will they need to be concerned with waterproofing, large crane requirements for installation, and long installation schedules.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport utilized a double barrel 96" DuroMaxx SRPE containment system to expand their Hardstand Ramp Deicing Facility and accommodate the world's largest passenger aircraft. Memphis International Airport used a DuroMaxx containment system to store glycol-contaminated runoff with a limited footprint.

Sheet Flow Runoff

Handling sheet flow runoff from runways, taxiways, and aprons is also extremely important to the operation and safety of any airfield. There are several surface runoff solutions that are often considered, but none truly compare to a Contech Slotted Drain™ system. Recently, Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming installed 29,000' of 12" diameter heavy- gage polymer-coated Contech Slotted Drain to capture sheet flow runoff along the runway. This heavy-gage drainage solution is FAA-approved and efficiently captures the sheet flow from the runaway, allowing for a safe takeoff and landing while easily being able to withstand the takeoff forces of the heaviest airplanes.

Many airports around the U.S. have adopted these two efficient airfield site design solutions to meet various challenges. Want to learn more? Please reach out to your local Contech representative to learn more!