Silicone Joint Sealants Used in Construction of New Runway
Silicone joint sealants from Dow Corning Corporation were selected for use in the reconstruction of the primary runway at Andrews Air Force Base. Also referred to as Joint Base Andrews, the base operates the only military runway within the National Capital Region and supports the presidential airlift mission (Air Force One), aeromedical evacuation flights and contingency response scenarios.
The west runway – one of just two at the base – was originally built in 1960 with an expected 25-year lifespan. Not surprisingly, by 2010 it was failing and needed to be completely replaced. The construction project, which began in late summer 2010, involved the replacement of 11,300 feet of the 200-foot-wide concrete runway and 25 feet of asphalt shoulder on each side.