Abstract
Foamed asphalt stabilized base course is a bound but flexible material, with beneficial stiffness, strength, and moisture resistance properties. When the granular material being stabilized is an existing airport pavement base, foamed asphalt stabilization is also highly sustainable and provides a more resilient pavement structure. Despite these advantages, to gain acceptance as a mature technology, a material specification and a clear basis for characterization in thickness determination software are required. A specification was published in 2024, and this research aimed to provide a basis for material characterization in layered elastic design methods. Based on a review of the nature of the materials and field performance of various airport pavements containing foamed asphalt stabilized base, it was concluded that the elastic modulus should be varied broadly from 1,000 MPa to 3,500 MPa, depending on the climatic conditions and the time until critical aircraft trafficking is expected. It was also concluded that a fatigue performance model, such as that associated with asphalt concrete or cementitiously stabilized materials, is unlikely to be applicable to foamed asphalt stabilization in airport pavements.