Pavement Structural Inspection and Design

Project Overview

Washington Dulles International Airport required a detailed investigation of distressed concrete pavement within the Signature Air facility. SQ Consultants were engaged to evaluate deteriorated pavement panels, perform engineering assessments, and determine the underlying causes of failure. Each affected panel was systematically examined to identify distress mechanisms and contributing factors. Based on these evaluations, SQ Consultants developed targeted rehabilitation recommendations and prepared schematic structural drawings to support cost estimating and repair planning.

Scope of Services

Design Engineering

• Developed rehabilitation concepts and selected appropriate repair strategies based on observed pavement conditions and engineering analysis.
• Prepared schematic design drawings illustrating recommended panel repairs, partial‑depth and full‑depth replacement limits, and construction sequencing considerations.
• Supported cost estimating by providing design‑level quantities, repair extents, and technical input for pricing assumptions.
• Coordinated design recommendations with airport operations to ensure constructability and minimal disruption to airfield activities.

Structural Engineering

• Performed engineering evaluations to determine the structural integrity of each concrete pavement panel.
• Conducted root‑cause analyses to identify failure mechanisms such as load‑related distress, subgrade deficiencies, joint deterioration, or material degradation.
• Assessed the extent and severity of cracking, spalling, settlement, and other structural defects.
• Provided technical justification for recommended rehabilitation methods, including structural replacement, slab stabilization, or localized repairs.
• Ensured that proposed repair strategies met applicable airport pavement design standards and performance requirements.

Inspection

• Conducted detailed site surveys to document existing conditions of individual pavement panels.
• Performed visual inspections and non‑destructive evaluations to assess surface and subsurface distress.
• Recorded field measurements, mapped distress patterns, and verified panel dimensions and joint conditions.
• Documented findings to support engineering analysis and design development.
• Provided inspection‑based input to validate repair limits and confirm constructability of recommended rehabilitation methods.