DOES DIAMOND GRINDING CONCRETE ON RUNWAYS CREATE RISK?
- Aug 12
- 2 min read
Study confirms diamond grinding does not inherently create FOD and is a reliable preservation strategy
For years, concerns about foreign object debris (FOD) have limited the wider use of diamond grinding on airfield pavements. A landmark study, "Effects of Diamond Grinding on Airfield Concrete Pavements" (ACPTP-2022-6)—led by Nichols Consulting Engineers through the Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program (ACPTP)—has addressed those concerns directly. The findings are clear: when applied to sound concrete, diamond grinding does not inherently create FOD.
ForConstructionPros.com recently published an article and video featuring the IGGA's Nick Davis and Jonathan Kozlowski, Editor-in-Chief, Concrete Contractor, Rental and Green Industry Pros, who discussed the report's findings including FOD concerns on airport runways.
Key findings worth knowing
Based on site visits, stakeholder interviews and case studies from 13 airports across the U.S. and Canada, the study delivers findings that engineers and specifiers can apply with confidence.
FOD is not a widespread risk. Recurring FOD from diamond-ground surfaces was documented at only one runway out of 13 airport site visits—and the cause was traced to a poor paste-aggregate bond in the original concrete, not the grinding process.
Ground surfaces outperform expectations. Diamond-ground concrete was often found to perform better than adjacent unground sections, with surfaces retaining their full corduroy texture for up to 15 years.
Friction is measurably restored. At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and a U.S. Air Force base in Alaska, diamond grinding significantly improved runway friction. In Alaska, a shallow grind of 0.031 to 0.063 inches restored friction across 121,000 square yards of runway keel without requiring a full regroove.
Structural integrity holds. Fatigue analysis confirms that typical concrete can be ground up to three times without jeopardizing fatigue life. Grinding also removes deteriorated surface layers to expose stronger, better-hydrated concrete underneath.
The practice is already trusted at scale. As Nick noted, 100% of commercial runways in the U.S. are safety-grooved—a diamond saw-cut process—further dispelling the association between diamond cutting and FOD risk.
Why this matters for your projects
This research provides concrete industry professionals with the technical backing to specify and apply diamond grinding with greater confidence. The study's guidance on pavement selection, blade configuration and pre-production test sections gives practitioners a clear framework for achieving FOD-free results and extending the service life of airfield concrete.
"If you have areas where diamond grinding can benefit and as long as your concrete is in good, sound condition, let it rip," said Nick.
Explore the complete technical findings, case studies and construction guidance here: https://ow.ly/7GLr50Zy8pc