Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) for High‐Load Pavement Testing – Structural Evaluation for Airports & Heavy‐Duty Infrastructure ↓
Deliver precise structural evaluation, comply with international standards, and optimize maintenance.
Structural evaluation for high‐load pavements (airfields, heavy‐duty roads)
The Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) is engineered to evaluate the structural integrity and load‑bearing capacity of high‑load pavements. It simulates extreme impact loads – reproducing the load of a Boeing 747/777 or Airbus A380, as well as heavy freight trucks, without damaging the surface. Designed for demanding environments, the HWD provides precise, repeatable deflection data that support runway ACR/PCR (new ACN/PCN) reporting, pavement life expectancy forecasting, and targeted maintenance planning with minimal operational downtime.
You need it when:
- Assessing airfield infrastructure: High‑load structural testing on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons in compliance with FAA/ICAO standards (e.g. ACN‑PCN classification via ACR/PCR calculations).
- Analyzing heavy‑duty networks: Evaluating container ports, industrial zones, military facilities and other infrastructures subjected to extreme axle loads, to ensure they meet structural performance requirements.
- Quality assurance on heavy pavements: Verifying structural strength and compaction on newly constructed or rehabilitated heavy- duty roads/pavements to confirm they meet design criteria and load capacity standards.
- zing maintenance strategies: Using HWD deflection data to feed pavement analysis tools (e.g., Dynatest ELMOD software) for backcalculation of layer moduli, residual life estimates, and cost‑effective rehabilitation planning for high‑load pavements.
Heavy Weight Deflectometer
Dynatest developed the first commercially available Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD). The HWD is highly versatile and can be used to test both rigid paver block and flexible pavements on roads and airports. The HWD can apply a loading in the range of 30-320kN, enabling it to simulate vehicle loading up to the most extreme aircraft wheel load such as the Boeing 777, the Airbus 340, or 380.
The output from the deflectometer can be used:
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To determine the layer of failure and the optimal restoration solutions.
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For quality control or existing and new pavement construction
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Improve and understand pavement modeling
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In pavement management
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In pavement research
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See the HWD in Action – Real Data, Real Results.
Our HWD system is crafted for high-accuracy deflection measurements, empowering asset management, design, and rehabilitation strategies. As ACR/PCR standards evolve, our technology elevates pavement assessment, providing actionable data for critical infrastructure.
Optimize your testing strategy with our solutions.
Get inspired by our HWD video.
Key benefits
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Dynamic loading enables mechanistic-empirical analysis of the pavement layers and the determination of optimum rehabilitation strategies
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Automated and rapid structural pavement testing
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Determines the layer of failure, rather than determining simply the bearing capacity
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QA/QC of newly built pavements
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Compares a range of rehabilitation options, including plane off and recycling rather than just applying overlays
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The Dynatest HWD provides accurate, reproducible, and repeatable data
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Automated and real-time monitoring of the load cell, geophones, and data variations ensures high quality of collected data
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Uses mechanistic analysis allowing testing of most pavement structures
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The HWD is used worldwide from the hottest and driest deserts to the humid tropics and the cooler polar regions
New bearing capacity classification ACR/PCR
The pavement bearing capacity is a key point when it comes to the safety of runways.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has introduced a new classification ACR/PCR which will take effect in November 2024.
ACR stands for – Aircraft Classification Rating and tells how different aircrafts affect pavements.
PCR stands for – Pavement Classification Rating and shows how much weight the pavement can carry.
By using this new ACR/PCR classification, airports can improve their operations, enhance safety, and plan better pavement maintenance.
Get a closer look
Meets ASTM D-4694, D-4695 and equivalent standards
Peak load range approximately 30 to 240kN / 320kN
Up to 15 seismic deflection sensors
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Standard Equipment
- 4 segmented loading plate with swivel commodates uneven or rutted pavement surfaces
- 7 or 9 deflection sensors (geophones)
- Air/Pavement Temperature Sensors
- Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI)
Available Options
- Global Positioning System (GPS)
- Camera system for plate location or Right of Way Imaging
- On board generator for standalone operation
- Trailer mounted light(s) or strobe(s)
- Rear or rear and transverse sensor extension bars
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GSSI or IDS)
- Spare parts kit
- Tool kit
ELMOD® Software - only available for Dynatest Equipment
- Evaluation of Layer Moduli and Overlay Design
- Dynatest’s ELMOD® software may be used for the analysis and design of flexible, rigid, and composite pavements
- Allows quick data reduction and analysis of HWD load/deflection measurements
- Capable of backcalculation of the layer moduli, for a typical drop sequence, in less than a second
- Fast calculation of the seasonally adjusted moduli, residual life of the pavement, and required overlay thickness for a given service life
- For maintenance and repair (M&R), the LCCA (Life Cycle Cost Analysis) module allows the user to select the optimal M&R solution for a pavement section according to cost/benefit ratios
Do you need more information?
You can always reach out to us. Find your contact person and get the help you need anytime!