Cost and Implementation Cycle of Concrete Runways

Abstract

The aim is to evaluate the time and cost efficiency of constructing concrete runways and find optimal solutions. The analysis was carried out for a design of a 3600 m runway with set location considerations (Katowice-Pyrzowice airport). Reinforced and post-tensioned concrete runways have been compared. National standards were applied while calculating the costs. All cost estimates were obtained from local suppliers/contractors. Time schedules were prepared for the runways using network analysis. They were based on seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day work. It was assumed that work units were optimised. The following results have been obtained: cost calculation for post-tensioned runway was about 6.4 million € lower than for reinforced runway, which is 18 % of the total cost. Duration of construction of post-tensioned runway was estimated to require 10 months whereas reinforced takes with an 8 % more time.