PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS FOR FWD TESTING AND EVALUATION OF RIGID AIRFIELD PAVEMENTS

Results are presented of a study on the effects of temperature on repeatability of falling weight deflectometer (FWD) measurements, the behavior of rigid pavement joints, and the back-calculation of E and k in order to form the basis for application of finite element techniques to the classical Westergaard theory of rigid pavement evaluation. Three U.S. Air Force installations were chosen for an in-depth study of pavement response to FWD loads under a variety of environmental and geological conditions. Repeatability of FWD load and deflection measurements at constant temperatures as well as changing temperatures is reported. Effects of temperature on joint load transfer efficiency are analyzed, and predictive models are presented that account for seasonal temperature fluctuations in load-carrying capacity analyses of rigid pavements. A computer program to back-calculate elastic and subgrade reaction moduli from FWD deflection data has been developed, and repeatability of these moduli is established for different climatic conditions. The study has indicated the following: (a) the FWD is remarkably consistent in repeated load and deflection measurements at any slab position for constant temperatures; (b) center slab load and deflection measurements are also consistent under varying temperatures; (c) joint load transfer efficiency is highly temperature dependent but can be accurately modeled for a given joint type; and (d) E and k can be accurately determined from FWD measurements through an iterative computer scheme, and the results are consistent over a wide range of temperatures.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1986/1070/1070-010.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PRELIMINARY+CONCEPTS+FOR+FWD+TESTING+AND+EVALUATION+OF+RIGID+AIRFIELD+PAVEMENTS&author=P.+Foxworthy&author=M.+Darter&publication_year=1986
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Data Storage. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
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• Authors:
  • Foxworthy, Paul T
  • Darter, Michael I
• Publication Date: 1986

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 77-88
• Monograph Title: PAVEMENT RESPONSE, EVALUATION, AND DATA COLLECTION
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1070
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport runways; Bearing capacity; Climate; Coefficient of subgrade reaction; Computer programs; Deflection; Evaluation; Falling weight deflectometers; Finite element method; Forecasting; Joints; Load transfer; Mathematical models; Modulus of elasticity; Pavement performance; Pavements; Rigid pavements; Temperature
• Uncontrolled Terms: Repeatability
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint; Pavement deflection
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00474202
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309040647
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 31 1987 12:00AM