This study investigates both the concrete and asphalt runway sections to assess their mechanical and chemical deterioration. Defects and material degradation affected the asphalt and concrete layers, overall safety and performance of the airbase runway pavement structure evaluation. Al-Habbaniya Air Base is located in Al-Anbar Governorate, approximately 74 km west of Baghdad, near the Euphrates River and Habbaniya Lake. Several recent studies [1] highlighted the effect of sulfate attack and moisture susceptibility on airfield pavements under hot climates. Several layers of extensive field and laboratory tests, core sample testing, compressive strength checks, and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) illustrated issues including blowups, cracking, moisture damage, and chemical-induced deterioration. The subgrade soil had high sulfate and gypsum content, further accelerating the deterioration, which poses a significant risk to the durability of the pavement. This study in Al-Habbaniya Air Base describes the primary defects presented, the effect of both chemical and mechanical properties on structural stability, and the measures needed to comply with ASTM standards. These findings emphasize the importance of prevention, better material selection, and redesign to secure the functionality of a runway in extremely hostile environmental and operating conditions. Core sampling revealed significant loss of strength in concrete (≈ 12–29 MPa) and noticeable moisture damage in asphalt layers.
