Thank you to our program and event sponsors!
The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) Best Practices in Airfield Pavement Design and Construction Workshop presents a three-day national workshop on best practices used in the design, construction, and rehabilitation of concrete pavements used for airport applications. The workshop includes presentations and discussions on both FAA and Department of War (DoW) design and construction standards.
The workshop program features technical presentations by subject matter experts with practical experience in the topic areas. Leading the discussions will be experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Transportation System Center, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Headquarters Office of Airport Safety and Standards, Air Force Civil Engineering Center, ACPA, Phoenix Sky Harbor and Tucson International Airports and companies with direct involvement in the design and construction of FAA and Tri-Services projects.
The workshop will be held October 26-29, at the Hyatt Place Tempe, AZ. The program will run from 8 am to 5 pm (local time) each day.
The workshop is for owners’ representatives, design engineers, contractor personnel, government employees, and others with an interest in concrete pavement design, construction, and rehabilitation for airport applications.
The cost of the three-day workshop is $950 for members, $750 for government/airport sponsor, and $1,250 for non–members. Register online using the form at the bottom of this page.
A popular element of ACPA’s airport pavement training program is open discussions about interpreting and applying airport concrete pavement specifications used by the FAA and Department of War. This group discussion serves as a guide for gaining a better understanding and gaining practical insights into the specifications.
The discussion will be based on field experience and guidance from top airfield pavement experts. Much of this information has been gained by working with contractors, owners’ representatives, military engineers, and others with direct, first-hand experience. The discussion is not intended as a basic primer on the specifications; instead, it will cover potential specifications changes, details of specification-related issues, challenges, and questions that commonly occur on the grade. The preliminary workshop agenda (which is subject to change) follows.
Participants may earn up to 18.5 professional development hours for this training and technology transfer event. ACPA offers professional development hours with the assumption of their use in self-reporting states and provinces. Reporting is done on an honor basis, and participants are responsible for maintaining their own records and for determining the applicability and acceptance with their respective licensing/certification organization. Check with your licenses agency to confirm acceptance of this workshop for meeting PDH requirements.
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Welcome and Workshop Agenda
Attendees will provide self-introductions and ACPA’s Chief Engineer will outline the content of the workshop and discuss the objective of the concrete paving industry in holding this all-important workshop.
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – FAA Western Pacific Region Welcome and Discussion of Regional Issues
This presentation will welcome everyone to the FAA Western Pacific Region. A representative from the FAA Western Pacific Region or Phoenix Airport District will discuss FAA expectations for paving projects as well as highlight and discuss some of the issues important to the FAA Western Pacific Region.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – United States Air Force Welcome, Introduction, and Discussion of Agency Concerns
In this presentation, we will discuss the various aspects of airfield pavement requirements for military airports from the government’s perspective. The discussion will center around the airfield pavement using agency’s concerns and why strict requirements for high quality, durable pavements are so important.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – BREAK
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – United States Army Corps of Engineers Transportation Systems Center Introduction and Discussion of Agency Concerns
This presentation will highlight the role of the Transportation Systems Center in providing airfield pavement expertise to the Army and Military Tri-Service airfield infrastructure programs. We will also highlight some of the challenges and successes the TSC team has seen throughout the military airfield paving world.
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM – Overview of Federal Aviation Administration Guidance on Pavement Design and Construction Advisory Circulars & Engineering Briefs
Projects funded using FAA grant-in-aid or Passenger Facility Charge programs are required to be executed in accordance with FAA policies, regulations and standards. This lesson will present a brief discussion of the required policies and standards that must be followed for qualifying airfield pavement design and construction projects.
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Overview of Department of War Guidance – UFC’s, TSPWGs and Other Standards
Numerous guide documents exist that must be followed for the design and construction of military pavements. This lesson will offer a brief discussion of the required guidance that should be followed for military airfield pavement design and construction.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – LUNCH
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – FAA and UFGS Specifications for Subbase, Base and Stabilized Base Construction
Subbase, base, and stabilized base construction are all important for proper airfield pavement construction. The lesson will present and discuss both FAA and UFGS specification requirements for subbase, base and stabilized base layers in concrete airfield pavement construction.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM – FAA P-501 Cement Concrete Pavement Specification
FAA Advisory Circular 150/5370-10, Item P-501 is the guide specification for airfield concrete pavement construction. In this lesson, the attendees will gain an understanding of the requirements and intent of the airfield concrete pavement specification. Discussion will focus on common areas of concern that need to be understood by the owner, engineer, and contractor. Upcoming changes to P-501 will also be discussed.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM – BREAK
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Unified Facilities Guide Specification (UFGS) 32 13 14.13 Concrete Paving for Airfields and Other Heavy Duty Pavements
Unified Facilities Guide Specification part 32 13 14.13 is the guide specification for airfield concrete pavement construction. In this lesson, the attendees will gain an understanding of the requirements and intent of the Tri-Services airfield concrete pavement specification. Discussion will center around agency requirements for producing high quality, durable pavement and why some stringent requirements are necessary. Topics will include aggregate and other material requirements, tolerances, and expectations of the contractor performing the work. Planned updates to 32 13 14.13 will also be discussed.
4:00 PM – 4:55 PM – Developing a Proper Project Specification Using UFGS and FAA Guide Specifications
FAA and UFGS specifications are guide specifications that must be edited into project specifications. Both agencies require each project to start with new specifications and limit editing outside of allowable tailoring options without agency approval. The first step in a quality construction project is a well-written specification. This lesson will focus on best practices for properly editing both types of guide specifications into a quality project specification.
4:55 PM – 5:00 PM – Day One Wrap-Up and Q&A
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Welcome Reception
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM – Unique Challenges Contractors Face with Airfield Paving
Airfield paving is different from highways or streets and local roads. Administrative challenges include accessing the site to get personnel, subcontractors, materials, and equipment in while minimizing FOD risk, as well as communicating with air traffic control. Addressing these challenges, coupled with process control to meet tight construction tolerances, is a must. This presentation will discuss some of the unique challenges of airfield paving and how to address them. Various items from project planning to closeout will be discussed.
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM – Mix Design Development Best Practices
Developing an airfield concrete mixture requires a balance between specifications and maintaining the workability essential for slipform paving. FAA and UFGS specifications use TSPWG M 3-250-04.97-05 as the guide for proportioning concrete mixtures. This presentation will discuss best practices for developing a quality concrete mix using the guide and key areas of the mix that are important for airfield concrete paving. The session will also provide a short introduction to the next generation of airfield concrete mix design and the ongoing work of the ACPTP to develop new tools and tests for airfield concrete pavement mixes.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – BREAK
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Concrete Paver Setup
One of the most critical tasks in airfield paving is setting up and dialing in the paving machine. This is especially challenging with thick airfield concrete pavement that must maintain strict tolerances. This lesson will discuss the mechanics of slipform paving machines, proper setup and calibration, and best practices for operating and adjusting the paving machine during production.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Development of Project Submittals for Military Airfields to Meet UFGS 32 13 14.13
UFGS 32 13 14.13 requires many submittals for a project, some of which are very detailed and require specific documentation to be included. In particular, the Proportioning Studies and Paving Lot Report have very specific requirements and are often rejected due to incomplete or improperly formatted submittals. The TSC team will discuss best practices for developing key submittals that will reduce rejection and resubmittal.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – LUNCH
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Best Practices in Finishing Airfield Concrete Pavement
The finishing of airfield concrete pavement may be one of the most important factors contributing to long-term durability. Minimal finishing is a requirement of both FAA and UFGS paving specifications, but understanding what is necessary versus what is excessive can be very difficult. This presentation will discuss best practices for finishing airfield concrete pavement without inducing weakened surfaces and early-age distresses. There will also be a short discussion on the development of an ACI certification for pavement finishing that is being developed to replace the ACI flatwork finishing certification requirement in UFGS 32 13 14.13.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM – Acceptance of Work Using FAA General Provisions
The FAA requires the Resident Project Representative (RPR) to be the final authority on interpretation of project plans and specifications. The RPR is responsible for determining the final acceptance of project work in accordance with FAA guidance in Section 50 of the General Provisions. This presentation will focus on what the FAA requires of the RPR and how the guidance in Section 50 should be used to accept work. Updates to Section 50 and FAA AC 150/5370-12 will be highlighted as part of the presentation.
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM – BREAK
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program (ACPTP)
The ACPTP is an FAA-funded, industry-led cooperative agreement to conduct applied research related to airfield concrete pavement. The program is managed through a cooperative agreement between the FAA and the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center). This presentation will update attendees on the research currently in progress through ACPTP.
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – ACPTP Project 2025-13: Best Practices for Preparation of Joints for Sealing/Resealing
Joint sealant is critical to the long-term performance of airfield concrete pavement. Sealing and resealing of airfield concrete joints can be a challenging task, and one of the most important determining factors in sealant performance is proper preparation of the joints prior to applying sealant. This project is studying a variety of joint preparation techniques and the application of different sealant materials to develop a best-practice guide for joint preparation prior to sealing or resealing. This presentation will provide a summary of the field studies performed under the project and preliminary findings of the project.
4:00 PM – 4:55 PM – ACPTP Project 2023-8: Concrete Airfield Paving Continuity
The most efficient and consistent airfield paving occurs when paving is allowed to progress with minimal interruption and delay. However, every project experiences challenges that often require the paver to slow down or stop for periods of time. This project is studying the effects of changing paver speed and stopping the paver to develop best practices for contractors, engineers, and owners to use when challenges arise. This presentation will summarize some of the early findings of the project, including a discussion of initial findings from field test sections completed at Charlotte International Airport this past July.
4:55 PM – 5:00 PM – Day Two Wrap-Up and Q&A
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM – Arizona Airport Capital Programs Update
ACPA has reached out to several airports in the region to invite them to provide updates on their capital programs. This session will provide an opportunity for airports to highlight their upcoming work and discuss opportunities for future engineering and construction programs.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Capital Programs
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport will provide a presentation on its upcoming capital programs, with a focus on airfield concrete paving opportunities. This session will provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss future programs that may interest them.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM – BREAK
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – Alternate Delivery Roundtable
Recent regulatory changes in FAA and DoW reauthorizations have expanded opportunities to use alternate delivery methods for complex airfield infrastructure programs using federal funds. Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), also sometimes called Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), is becoming a common alternate delivery method for airport owners. This roundtable will include representatives from airport management, engineering firms, and contractors who will discuss topics such as why airports choose specific delivery methods, how the methods are integrated into the design process, and how contractors prepare for and execute alternate delivery projects.
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM – Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Taxiway U Construction Overview
Taxiway U is being constructed to bridge the north and south airfields on the west end of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, allowing for more efficient aircraft flow and streamlined airfield operations. This complex project includes major road and utility relocations, modifications to existing airport facilities, and other major infrastructure upgrades. This presentation will provide an overview of the project from representatives of the airport, engineer, and contractor and discuss challenges and successes of the project. The presentation will be followed by a tour of the project after lunch.
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Workshop Wrap-Up and Final Q&A
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – LUNCH
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Tour of PHX Taxiway U Project
The Hyatt Place Tempe601 E 6th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
Follow the link below to reserve a room at ACPA’s group rate of $185 per night, plus tax. We encourage you to make reservations early, as the room block is expected to sell out. The reservation deadline is September 28, 2026.
ACPA’s reservation code will automatically populate on the booking page when using the above link. Should you leave the hotel site and return later, please ensure the booking code is included before finalizing your registration to ensure you receive the appropriate room rate.
A modern and conveniently located property in the heart of Tempe, the Hyatt Place Tempe / Phoenix / University offers Airport Workshop attendees a comfortable home base just steps from Arizona State University and close to downtown Tempe, restaurants, entertainment, and Tempe Town Lake. Guests can enjoy spacious contemporary rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, and a convenient setting for both workshop activities and exploring the surrounding area.