Hybrid Mechanistic–Empirical and 3D FEM Analysis of Airport Pavement under Heavy Aircraft Loads

Tukimun; Miswar Tumpu; Aco Wahyu Efendi; Hoong-Pin Lee; Andung Yunianta

doi:10.48084/etasr.18604

Authors

Tukimun Department of Civil Engineering, 17 Agustus 1945 University, Samarinda, Indonesia
Miswar Tumpu Disaster Management Study Program, The Graduate School, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
Aco Wahyu Efendi Department of Civil Engineering, Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Indonesia
Hoong-Pin Lee Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, Malaysia
Andung Yunianta Department of Civil Engineering, Yapis University, Jayapura, Indonesia

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 35818-35825 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.18604

Received: 8 March 2026 | Revised: 9 April 2026 | Accepted: 17 April 2026 | Online: 6 June 2026

Corresponding author: Tukimun

Abstract

This study evaluates airport pavement performance under heavy multi-wheel aircraft using a hybrid Mechanistic–Empirical (M–E) and 3D Finite Element (FE) approach. The framework combines Federal Aviation Administration Rigid and Flexible Iterative Elastic Layered Design (FAARFIELD) with detailed 3D FE modeling to assess stress, strain, fatigue, and rutting. A flexible runway and rigid concrete apron were analyzed under wide-body aircraft at maximum landing weight. M–E results indicated a fatigue damage factor of 0.60 and a rutting of about 5 mm over a 50-year period, showing rutting as the main distress for flexible pavement. FE simulations captured localized stress beneath wheels and predicted an instantaneous vertical displacement of 3.55 mm, consistent with mechanistic results. The agreement between the two methods confirms structural adequacy while highlighting proximity to rutting limits. This hybrid approach improves long-term performance predictions and supports resilient, sustainable airport infrastructure aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords:

mechanistic–empirical design, finite element analysis, airport pavement, heavy aircraft loading, fatigue life, rutting performance, structural response, resilient infrastructure, SDGs

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