Preservation of asphalt pavements
in airports
- Sealing
- COLAS ACTIVE SEALING
- Preservation of asphalt pavements in airports
Airports choose Colas Active Sealing
Did you know that… Colas Active Sealing is the preferred choice in Danish and international airports?
- extends the service life of the asphalt
- Cost-effective
- Minimal inconveniences to the traffic
- Less raw materials and carbon footprint
- Sealing can be repeated.
Preventive maintenance extends the service life of asphalt pavements
The condition of the asphalt pavement is critical for the safety and operational performance of airports. A deteriorated pavement loses binder and aggregates, which can lead to FOD (Foreign Object Debris) issues and reduced friction levels.
Colas Sealing offers a solution that stops the aggregate loss and protects the asphalt without reducing friction, ensuring that airport operations can continue safely and efficiently.
Colas Active Sealing can be applied on aprons, taxiways, runways, and de-icing stands. One of the advantages of our specialized sealing treatment is that it can be used on all asphalt types, including porous asphalt, asphaltic concrete and grooved asphalt.
Colas Active Sealing penetrates deeply into the pavement and restores the flexibility of the binder without altering the pavement elevation, eliminating the need to adjust ILS systems, lighting and other installations afterwards.
With a clear understanding of the strict requirements for operational reliability, time constraints, and safety in airport environments, our execution methods are designed to minimize operational disruptions. Lights and pavement markings are covered prior to the sealing process, ensuring that the treated area is fully operational after only a few hours of closure.
We work in civilian and military airports across Denmark, the Nordic region, and the rest of Europe, sealing approximately 2 million of square meters each year.
Alternatively, contact one of our Colas Sealing specialists for more information. See below.
Working method in 7 steps:
1
Identification and planning
- Identify the areas to be treated.
- Airport access and safety requirements incorporated into production planning.
2
Daily production meeting
- Coordination between Colas and the airport to agree on the day’s work and time schedules.
- Review of the weather forecast.
- Daily safety briefing prior to commencement of production activities.
3
Cleaning of the area
- High-pressure cleaning of the pavement if deemed necessary during inspection.
4
Masking of markings and lights
- Airfield lights are covered with custom-fitted protective pads.
- Pavement markings are masked.
5
Applying Colas Active Sealing
- Colas Active Sealing is applied with one of our custom-built distributor trucks designed specifically for this task. The width of the distribution unit can reach up to 6,7 meters. During the application, the sealing mixture is adjusted according to the condition of the asphalt pavement. It is the viscosity, the softening effect and the applied amount that are adjustable.
- With a hand sprayer we seal areas that are difficult for the distributor truck to reach or that require extra sealing.
6
Drying time and application of crushed granite
- During the drying time, the sealing penetrates the asphalt surface while the water evaporates.
- The drying time is weather-dependent and typically ranges from 2 to 5 hours.
- Once the drying time is over, specially graded granite of 0-1,4 mm is applied to the treated area.
7
Reopening of the runway
- Optional sweeping of excess crushed granite.
- Visual inspection.
- Final handover to the airport authority.