falling weight deflectometer (FWD) is a testing device used by civil

engineers to evaluate the physical properties of pavement in highways, local

roads, airport pavements, harbor areas, railway tracks and elsewhere. The

data acquired from FWDs is primarily used to estimate pavement structural

capacity, to facilitate overlay design or determine if a pavement is being

overloaded. Depending on its design, a FWD may be contained within a

towable trailer or it may be built into a self-propelled vehicle such as a truck

or van. Comprehensive road survey vehicles typically consist of a FWD

mounted on a heavy truck together with a ground-penetrating

radar and impact attenuator.

During testing, a FWD subjects the pavement surface to a load pulse which

simulates the load produced by a rolling vehicle wheel. The load pulse is

produced by dropping a large weight onto a "buffer" which shapes the pulse,

and then transmitted to the pavement through a circular load plate. Data are

acquired from various sensors for use in post-test analysis of pavement

properties. Deflection sensors are used to measure the deformation of the

pavement in response to the load pulse. In some FWDs the magnitude of the

applied load pulse is an assumed constant value determined by system design;

in others the force is measured by load cells.

The load plate may be solid or segmented. Segmented load plates adapt to the

shape of the pavement to more evenly distribute the load on uneven surfaces.

The load plate diameter is typically 300 mm diameter on roads and 450 mm

on airports, and the load for road testing is about 40 kN, producing about

567 kPa pressure under the load plate (50 kN / 707 kPa according to

European standard).

Load System

There are two different types of load impact systems; single-mass and double-

mass.[1][2]

In a single-mass system, a weight is dropped onto a single buffer[clarification

needed] connected to a load plate, which in turn rests on the surface being

tested. Single-mass FWDs are typically smaller, faster and less expensive but,

when used on soft soils, may overestimate the capacity of pavements due to

the mass inertia of the pavement material.[3]

In a double-mass system, the weight drops onto an assembly consisting of a

first buffer, a second weight, and a second buffer.[note 1] This produces a

longer loading duration that more precisely simulates a wheel load, and yields

higher reproducibility and gives a more accurate result on pavements built on

soft soils.[4][5]
There are also combined single/double mass systems where the falling weight

and middle weight can be locked together giving 150 kN short pulse. In

unlocked mode the FWD works as a double mass system giving 50 kN long

pulse.

In all systems, the load pulse shape and rise time is important because it can

affect the peak values of center deflection by as much as 10% to 20%