Use of HWD to Study Traffic Effects on Flexible Airport Pavement Structure

Abstract

ABSTRACTHeavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) tests were regularly conducted at the National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF) in the two wheel paths and on the pavement test item centerline (non-trafficked area) using the FAA owned and operated KUAB HWD Model 240. The purpose of the tests was to study the effect of traffic tests on the pavement structure. The pavement deflection basin was characterized by measuring deflections at the center of the load plate (D0) and at 30-, 60-, 90-, 120-, and 150-cm offsets (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5). Pavement surface deflections were measured at three different load levels (53.4, 106.8, and 160.2-kN). A “seating” (or conditioning) drop of 160.2-kN was conducted prior to the measured drops at each test location. The “seating” drop peak deflection data were recorded for all test locations. Analyses of deflection data from the trafficked and non-trafficked areas, including the “seating” drop data, showed that the HWD could be effectively used to evaluate the effect of traffic on the pavement structure.