Research activities on soil and unbound granular materials with Dynatest LWD

The researchers of Smart Pavements Australia Research Collaboration Hub (SPARC Hub) are evaluating the potential of the Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) for assessing the quality of compacted soils during intelligent compaction.

The LWD device by Dynatest is selected since, in addition to the measurement of modulus, it allows the measurement of the variations of both force and displacement against time. Currently, the researchers are testing the equipment in a controlled environment (a large soil box) where the density, moisture, and the effect of underlying layers can be reasonably well controlled during the test.

The researchers aim to identify and establish correlations between the LWD modulus, density, and moisture by using the theory of dynamics of unsaturated soils. The technology of intelligent compaction and LWD are relatively new to the Australian construction sector. The results of this research are expected to help the sector to adopt novel quality assurance techniques which in turn accelerate the implementation of intelligent compaction.

– We needed a Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) for SPARC Hub research activities in Australia. It was important for us to ensure that we got the best solution that met our specific needs such as the measurement of the variations of both force and displacement against time during the LWD testing. Dynatest is one of the strongest brands in the industry and we already know their high-quality equipment. Dynatest has acted professionally and provided us with access to their software for our advanced analysis, says Dr. Arooran Sounthararajah, SPARC Hub – Australia.

It was important for us to ensure that we got the best solution that met our specific needs such as the measurement of the variations of both force and displacement against time during the LWD testing.

Dr. Arooran Sounthararajah, SPARC Hub – Australia.