Building resilience through sustainable development in Tuvalu

The runway at Funafuti International Airport had long been plagued by defects caused by the relentless king tides. These powerful tides, paired with heavy rain events, caused air pressure to blister the runway surface in several locations, resulting in foreign object debris (FOD) and an uneven and unsafe surface for aircraft operations. The challenge was not just to resurface the runway but to create a solution that could withstand these natural forces and ensure continued, safe access to and from Tuvalu. The runway is not only crucial for aviation activity, but also serves as a communal space for the island's residents.

Working alongside Downer NZ, GHD needed to find an innovative solution that could address the unique conditions of Funafuti.

Through a collaborative design process, the team developed an Open Graded Porous Asphalt (OGPA) mix design that allows air pressure to dissipate during king tide events. This design was a hybrid solution, with air voids in the mix design creating a product somewhere between a typical dense graded and open graded mix. Generally, an OGPA is used as a surfacing layer only, on top of dense graded asphalt. However, given the existing runway pavement consisted of a granular base with a two-coat chipseal surfacing, once the existing chipseal surface was removed, the OGPA could be laid directly onto the granular material. To provide strength to the new pavement, a geotextile product was installed between the two layers of OGPA. This trade-off between allowing air to pass through the final pavement and providing enough strength to withstand aircraft loading resulted in an innovative solution that met the client's needs.

The project also included resurfacing the driveway used by the fire services, as well as the apron and taxiway pavements. These areas were major causes of FOD, posing both a safety and operational risk to aircraft. Resurfacing these areas eliminated the risk of FOD generation, adding to the overall safety and resilience of the airfield.

The new runway pavement has significantly improved the ride quality and overall safety for aircraft landing and taking off. Due to the limited availability of land on Funafuti, the runway pavements are used for various community activities when not in use by aircraft. Church services, social football, volleyball, touch rugby, and even walking and running take place on the strip of land. The resurfacing of the runway has provided a smooth, even surface for these events, enhancing the quality of life for the island's residents.

The resurfacing works have also had a positive impact on the delicate environment that surrounds Tuvalu. The apron/taxiway pavement resurfacing included a fuel resistant coating that was applied to the final surface. For any future fuel or hydraulic oil spills on the pavement, this coating will help reduce the impact of any contamination to the shallow water table and surrounding aquatic life.

The feedback from our client has been overwhelmingly positive. The Ministry of Transportation, Communication, Energy and Innovation (MTECI) expressed their gratitude for the support, expertise, and professionalism provided by GHD, praising the team's outstanding performance and commitment to excellence.

The Tuvalu Safe and Resilient Aviation Project stands as a testament to our dedication to deliver innovative and impactful solutions, even in the most challenging environments. It showcases our commitment to enhancing the safety and resilience of critical infrastructure, while also making a positive difference in the lives of the communities we serve.