Knowledge CentreTechnical Resources SearchConference PapersMaking Connections: Design of Airfield Bridges at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Making Connections: Design of Airfield Bridges at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Abstract

Bridges supporting taxiways carrying commercial aircraft remain relatively rare. Due to increased air travel
demand, combined with increased development limiting airport expansion, the necessity of these bridges
is increasing. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which services over 400,000 takeoffs and landings
each year, is in the midst of a vital project to expand access between the north and south airfields through the construction of Crossfield Taxiway “U”.

This Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR) project will include two new bridges to carry the taxiway, as
well as 14 retaining walls. One of the bridges will cross over the airport’s main access roadways, which
will be lowered by approximately 18 ft (5.5 m) to accommodate the taxiway. The other bridge will cross a
vehicle access road and the existing PHX Sky Train® automated people mover, which opened in 2022. The access roadways and the automated people mover will remain in operation for the full duration of
construction.

The bridges are designed for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airplane Design Group (ADG) VI gravity loading, controlled by the Airbus A380 airplane. Current FAA guidance on the design of bridges carrying aircraft loading is limited to a few bullet points and a reference to AASHTO’s Load and Resistance Factor Design 7th Edition. In addition to these two documents, the American Concrete Institute (ACI) has
published ACI 343R-95: Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Structures, which includes a
section on airport bridge loads; however, this document was last updated in 2004. This leaves much of
the live load application methodology up to the designer. This paper will explore these challenges and
discuss our team’s solutions.

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
Transportation Structures
Author(s):
Ward, Andrew
Topics:
Structures
Year:
2024