Numerical analysis of Airport Concrete Slab (LWS) strength considering heavy fighter aircraft landing dynamics

The article presents a numerical analysis of the strength of airport concrete slabs (LWS) under dynamic loads during the landing of a heavy fighter aircraft. The study focuses on prestressed concrete slabs with dimensions of 6.0 × 2.0 × 0.14 m, analyzing their behavior under F-14 aircraft landing forces. Using finite element analysis in LS-DYNA software, the complex interaction between aircraft wheel load, concrete slab, and substrate layers was examined. The simulation includes detailed modeling of slab reinforcement, connecting anchors, and the three-layer airport construction. The analysis considers dynamic load factors and actual tire contact surface parameters. The applied material models account for nonlinear concrete behavior (MAT_159) and its interaction with soil (MAT_005). The obtained results provide information about stress distribution, deformation, and potential failure mechanisms, contributing to understanding the response of airport pavement structures under extreme dynamic loads. These studies help in assessing the serviceability and safety margins of existing LWS slab systems at military airports. The applied research methodology also allows for soil mechanics analyses under airport pavements without the need for experimental testing.