Presented by:
R. Cadiz
For CE 260: Soil and Rock Testing
Non-destructive and nonintrusive testing
Widely used in pavement
engineering to evaluate
pavements structural
condition
Its results determine
optimum pavement
maintenance and
rehabilitation strategies
It characterizes pavement
layer stiffness
Load Cell
Load Plate
Geophones
Geophone
The FWD simulates an axle load by applying dynamic loads to
a pavement surface
The loading system delivers a transient impulse load to the
pavement surface
The vertical deformation at various distances from the loading
plate are measured by a series of geophone sensors
The profile of the deflection is the deflection basin
There are usually 7 sensors and spaced 12 inches apart
Highways
Local Roads
Airport Runways
Parking Lots
A typical FWD test applies 4 different load levels at discrete
locations and is completed in less than 2 minutes.
This test was standardized by ASTM in 1996 as ASTM D4694.
Its revisions and updates were in 2003 and 2009.
Secure clearance from traffic control
Calibrate the FWD by conducting a 10-minute warm up test
Position loading plate over chosen location and lower the
sensors to the pavement surface
Drop weights.
Multiple tests can be performed on the same location using different
weight drop heights.
Measure air and pavement temperatures
Pavement modulus of each layer is determined by backcalculation
Some softwares developed:
ELMOD (Evaluation of Layer Moduli and Overlay Design)
MODULUS
Required input:
Deflection profile
Load data
Temperature corrections
Desired output:
Elastic Moduli of layer/s
Layer thicknesses
Expected (remaining) pavement life
Test large area very quickly
Run 1 test per minute
Grid pattern to get general picture
Data compiled and viewed in real-time
Entire test can be run from a laptop inside vehicle
Equipment is easy to transport
No sample recovery
Compliment with test pit sampling, coring or other methods
Geotechnics Philippines, Inc. (GPI)
Primax 1500 from Grontmij (UK & Denmark)
Texas Department of Transportation Technical Advisory: FAQ about the Falling Weight
Deflectometer
Interpretation of Falling Weight Deflectometer Data Animesh Das
