Beijing Capital Airport Aero-bridge Upgrade with TYFO^® Fibrwrap^® Systems

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the principal airport serving all commercial flights arriving at, and departing from, the capital of People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is well connected by regular flights domestically to almost all cities in the PRC as well as internationally to many major cities worldwide. Due to an increase in domestic and international flights, the Beijing Capital Airport needed to upgrade a major Aero-bridge which serves as the main link for aircrafts taxiing back and forth for docking and maintenance. Increased demand in air travel would inevitably lead to more intensive use of this aging Aero-bridge.

The airport authorities requested a structural evaluation of the existing Aero-bridge due to concern for overloading and fatigue caused to the structure. Structural cracks were discovered on the soffit of the deck and also on the supporting columns. The report therefore strongly recommended urgent structural repairs to the Aero-bridge, as well as adequate structural strengthening before increase in loading levels could be permitted. Presentation of the TYFO^® SEH 51 Glass Fiber and TYFO^® S Epoxy System was well received by the local consultant and were specified in the project requirements. The total area of reinforcement for this project was approximately 2000m2.

Now a prominent feature along the approach to the Beijing Capital Airport, the Aero-bridge is in good form to handle the projected increased loads and usage. For the upcoming 2008 Olympics, Beijing Capital Airport’s Aero-bridge would be ready along with its newest terminal to serve the expected increment in volume of incoming flights in and out of the capital and will help to a certain extent to alleviate flight delays which are somewhat notorious among China’s domestic flights.