Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) Testing

 
 

Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing is a non-destructive testing method that simulates the loading of a moving wheel and measures the pavement response at the point of loading and at various offsets from the load. FWD testing is a more modern version of the Benkelman Beam test. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) is not only a faster and more convenient process, but it is also safer as no personnel are exposed to live traffic or in-vehicle blind spots.

FWD/HWD testing can be used for:

  • Structural benchmarking of pavements;

  • Estimation of pavement remaining life;

  • Develop sustainable and economic rehabilitation solutions;

  • Back calculation of pavement layer moduli using ELMOD;

  • Determine load transfer efficiency (LTE) across concrete joints.

Durkin can also provide Heavy Falling Weight Deflectometer (HFWD or HWD) testing which can be used for heavy duty pavements.