Brize Norton, Runway & Taxiway Surface Preservation – 2020

Sector: Aviation / Defence.

Location: RAF Brize Norton 

Client: Amey Defence Services

Value: £1,000,000

​​​​Duration: August to September 2020

Scope:

• Rubber removal to runways.

• Runway joint and crack repairs.

• Surface preservation treatment of runways and taxiways using Rhinophalt.

• Re-application of line markings. 

• Friction testing (post-treatment).

The total surface area treated was 458,260M², with 229,000 litres of Rhinophalt and 115 tonnes of Rhinodust used in total. 

Summary: RAF Brize Norton is a high-profile, regulated military airbase, situated in Oxfordshire. It is the largest RAF station in the UK, with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff, and 1,200 contractors situated on the base at any given time. The RAF’s Air Mobility Force is based at the station, and the runway is accordingly one of the busiest within the UK defence estate. Allied Infrastructure had previously carried out works at the base on several occasions, including  in 2017 and 2019, linked to the re-surfacing of select sections of the airfield. 

In mid-2020, we were awarded the contract for a second application of Rhinophalt to the taxiways and runways, after significant areas of ravelling and weathering had been identified within the pavement. The works encompassed the full extent of the runway, and all taxiways, with a combined surface area of 458,260M². At this time, it was the largest application of Rhinophalt to an airfield ever completed.

There were a number of challenges associated to delivering a project of this size within a live operational context:

• Delivery within a live airfield environment: The maintenance of base operations was a key requirement for the client. Close, collaborative planning was required to ensure the scope and programme could be delivered within these constraints. We carefully phased the works, with day, night and twilight shifts implemented for different areas, according to base requirements. 

• The works on the runway took place during flight embargoes on Friday and Saturday nights between 19:00PM and 07:00AM. The works on the taxiway were more fluid and flexible with most works taking place during the day shift 08:00AM – 17:00PM with each area agreed with the base at a daily start of shift meeting. We were only allowed one section of taxiway at a time due to operational requirements and some areas where the road and taxiway are on the same alignment required night shift working due to the volume of air and road traffic. After each shift, the runway and taxiways had to be returned to operations, so Foreign Object Debris (FOD) management was key. We used log-books to track equipment, and also implemented mid and post shift FOD sweeps. 

• Changing requirements: As a “live” military airfield, the availability of working areas was also subject to change at short notice. To help manage this, we implemented pre-shift operational meetings with the base team, focussed on reviewing planned works. Where planned works areas were no longer available, we identified where our resources could be re-deployed, ensuring productivity could be maintained.

• Weather: In addition to the above , the first two weeks were significantly impacted by heavy rainfall, which meant it was not possible to spray the Rhinophalt. Through our technical expertise in surface preservation, and collaborative working with the client, we were able to maximise outputs during the latter half of the 4-week programme. 

Through close collaboration with the client and agile re-programming of the works, we were able to deliver the works to budget and programme, despite the above challenges. The client’s team were highly satisfied, with numerous stakeholders praising our effective management of the works.

“Amey Defence Services selected Allied Infrastructure as our chosen contractor to undertake this prestigious project award of installing Rhinophalt preservation treatment to prolong the life of the existing runway and taxiway surfaces at RAF Brize Norton, with over 458,000M2 area to cover, working within a dynamic programme along with the constraints of weather, airfield operations and logistics they have shown true professionalism, whilst maintaining high quality workmanship executed throughout each stage of the delivery process and successfully completed the works to the standards our client the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the RAF expect from Amey Defence Services and its Supply Chain” 

Lee Downey – Airfield Manager - Amey Defence Services.