Structural Evaluation of Airfield Rigid Pavements Using Falling Weight Deflectometer

Abstract

In this paper, a comprehensive study of structural evaluation methods for jointed concrete airfield pavements is presented. A specially prepared concrete test pavement, consisting of six slabs with different size voids beneath the slabs at corners incorporated by variably spaced dowel joints, is loaded by the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) test system. By analyzing these FWD measurements with the finite element model, the usefulness of the FWD as a tool for measuring various important pavement properties is assessed. Based on the deflection basins measured by FWD, the resilient modulus of the foundation can be calculated, load transfer efficiency at joints of pavement can be determined, and the size of voids beneath the slab can be detected. Field measurements made at an in-service airfield pavement indicate that the FWD is a suitable device for the structural evaluation of jointed concrete airfield pavements.