Waterkloof Air Force Base
Some of the heaviest aeroplanes in the world can now land at the Waterkloof Air Force Base (WAFB)
South Africa’s busiest airbase, the Waterkloof Air Force Base (WAFB), situated on the outskirts of Tshwane in Gauteng, required upgrading due to its strategic and national importance. The primary works in Phase I of the Department of Public Works’ (DPW’s) project involved the main 3,500 m-long runway.
As part of a three-member joint venture, Zutari was responsible for the geometric design and pavement review of the project. Zutari was also appointed as the consultant for the electrical design and construction supervision services required for the upgrading of the runways, taxiways, and hardstands for the base.
As WAFB has a high-risk classification due to dolomitic soil conditions, one of the major challenges of the project was addressing the geological conditions to mitigate future sinkhole formation, and comply with international standards for military and commercial use.
The runway needed to be capable of accommodating the Airbus A400M, the Boeing 747-400, and other large-bodied military and commercial heavy aircraft. The required standard for the upgrade, in terms of the DPW’s guidelines on constructing infrastructure on dolomite soils, was to ensure continued future operational use for a period of 30 years.
The project included the construction of a compass swing bay and instrument calibration facilities, as well as all associated civil services and facilities for planned aircraft operations. This included lighting, fire fighting, communications, electrification, drainage, soil stabilisation activities, and building major service tunnels under the main runway and taxiways to reroute all services.
As WAFB has a high-risk classification due to dolomitic soil conditions, one of the major challenges of the project was addressing the geological conditions to mitigate future sinkhole formation, and comply with international standards for military and commercial use.
Runway and taxiway paint marking, dolomitic remedial actions required by risk management procedures, dynamic compaction of critical airside pavements, and the construction of a runway end safety area were also undertaken as part of the project.
Despite the geological issues with dolomite formations in the area of the WAFB, the Phase I upgrading was successfully completed ahead of schedule.
*The Aurecon Africa business has been officially renamed Zutari as at 21 July 2020. Zutari acquired Aurecon Middle East on 20 November 2020.
