Comparative Analysis between the Alizé-Aéronautique and Parametrized FAARFIELD Approaches in Airfield Pavement Design

Matteo Gallone
Lucas Cavalcante de Almeida
Michaël Broutin
José Wémenson Rabelo Chaves
Francisco Heber Lacerda de Oliveira

Ecole Nationale de l'Aviation Civile · Federal University of Ceará – UFC · Service Technique de l'Aviation Civile - STAC

Download PDF DOI: 10.29327/9786527220244.1238321 Also published on Even3

Event: XXII SITRAER – Brasília, DF, Brasil, October 22–24, 2025
Volume: Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025 · ISBN 978-65-272-2024-4 · DOI 10.29327/9786527220244
Publisher: Even3 Publicações
Editors: Fabiana Serra de Arruda, Camila Lucena, Giovanna Miceli Ronzani Borille, Evandro José da Silva

Abstract

The design of airfield pavements is predominantly carried out using empirical-mechanistic methods, employing software based on Layered Elastic Design (LED). However, each software uses a distinct calibration model, based on laboratory tests and field data, which may influence its results. This article aims to carry out a comparative analysis between the French approach, implemented in AlizéAéronautique, and a parameterized version of the FAA methodology (FAARFIELD). For this purpose, the Cumulative Damage Factor (CDF) and the strains at the top of the subgrade obtained in each design software were compared for four airfields. The results showed that FAARFIELD estimated greater subgrade deformations than Alizé-Aéronautique, with differences of up to 149.2%, indicating a more conservative approach. The CDF values were also different. The differences arise from distinct modeling criteria, such as the use of a critical point in FAARFIELD and a twodimensional mesh in Alizé. Adjustments in structural thickness allowed approximation between the results, without eliminating the conceptual divergences between the methods. Finally, it was concluded that although both use similar methods for calculating deformations at the top of the subgrade, there are important distinctions that directly impact the results. Depending on the software chosen, different results may be obtained, influencing pavement design even when considering the same aircraft mix and similar structure.

Keywords: FAARFIELD; Alizé-Aéronautique; Strain; CDF

How to cite

ABNT

GALLONE, Matteo; ALMEIDA, Lucas Cavalcante de; BROUTIN, Michaël; CHAVES, José Wémenson Rabelo; OLIVEIRA, Francisco Heber Lacerda de. Comparative Analysis between the Alizé-Aéronautique and Parametrized FAARFIELD Approaches in Airfield Pavement Design. In: SIMPÓSIO DE TRANSPORTE AÉREO, 22., 2025, Brasília. Anais [...]. Recife: Even3, 2026. ISBN 978-65-272-2024-4. DOI: 10.29327/9786527220244.1238321. Disponível em: https://sitraer-sbta.org/anais-2025-1238321.html.

APA

Gallone, M., Almeida, L. C., Broutin, M., Chaves, J. W. R., & Oliveira, F. H. L. (2025). Comparative Analysis between the Alizé-Aéronautique and Parametrized FAARFIELD Approaches in Airfield Pavement Design. In F. S. Arruda, C. Lucena, G. M. R. Borille, & E. J. Silva (Eds.), Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025. Even3. https://doi.org/10.29327/9786527220244.1238321

BibTeX

@inproceedings{gallone2025comparative,
  author = {Gallone, Matteo and Almeida, Lucas Cavalcante de and Broutin, Michaël and Chaves, José Wémenson Rabelo and Oliveira, Francisco Heber Lacerda de},
  title = {{Comparative Analysis between the Alizé-Aéronautique and Parametrized FAARFIELD Approaches in Airfield Pavement Design}},
  booktitle = {Anais do XXII Simpósio de Transporte Aéreo – SITRAER 2025},
  editor = {Arruda, Fabiana Serra de and Lucena, Camila and Borille, Giovanna Miceli Ronzani and Silva, Evandro José da},
  year = {2025},
  address = {Brasília, DF, Brasil},
  publisher = {Even3 Publicações},
  isbn = {978-65-272-2024-4},
  doi = {10.29327/9786527220244.1238321},
  url = {https://sitraer-sbta.org/anais-2025-1238321.html}
}