4-Wing Cold Lake Airfield and Runway Repairs

This multi-year project consisted of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of runways, taxiways, aprons, and underground utilities at 4-Wing Cold Lake.

SolidEarth served as the geotechnical, environmental, and materials testing consultant for this project.  SolidEarth’s scope of work included compaction testing during the installation of underground utilities and during the reconstruction of the subgrade for the runways, taxiways, and aprons; daily concrete sampling and testing during runway paving operations and hand-placed concrete pours; asphalt sampling and testing during asphalt paving operations; environmental sampling and testing when contaminated soils were encountered; straightedge testing to confirm that the smoothness of the panels was within the tolerance; engineering support during proof rolls and when problematic soil conditions were encountered; and all associated laboratory testing.

With such a high-profile project with very stringent specifications, a high frequency of concrete testing as well as both minimum compressive strength and flexural strength requirements were required during concrete paving operations.  Early and frequent strength results were crucial in determining when it was acceptable to install dowels and pave adjacent to completed sections.  SolidEarth efficiently completed the sampling and compressive and flexural strength testing within the required timelines.