{"id":3495,"date":"2022-07-27T10:40:34","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T08:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.qroad.com\/services\/hwd-testing\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T21:44:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T19:44:29","slug":"hwd-testing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.qroad.com\/en\/services\/hwd-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"HWD Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

HWD Testing for Airport Pavements<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Heavy Weight Deflectometer Testing<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

QRoad provides specialist Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) testing for airport pavements<\/a> worldwide. Using calibrated Dynatest equipment, we apply controlled dynamic loads representative of aircraft wheel loading and measure the resulting deflection basin. This non-destructive survey provides reliable data on structural capacity, pavement layer stiffness and subgrade response for flexible and rigid pavements.<\/p>

HWD testing can be carried out on runways, taxiways, aprons, aircraft stands and other heavily loaded pavement areas. The results help airport pavement managers identify structurally weak areas, evaluate rehabilitation options, estimate remaining structural life and support Pavement Classification Rating (PCR) assessments.<\/p>

When should airports use HWD testing?<\/h3>

Airport operators and pavement engineers use HWD surveys when planning rehabilitation or overlays, investigating suspected weak areas, evaluating changes in aircraft fleet or traffic demand, and updating pavement-strength information. On rigid pavements, targeted testing can also assess slab support and load-transfer efficiency across joints.<\/p>

Before mobilisation, QRoad reviews available pavement-construction records, aircraft traffic information and airport operating constraints. This allows the test grid and load sequence to focus on critical pavement areas and make efficient use of available closure windows.<\/p>

For a complete airport pavement assessment, QRoad can combine HWD measurements with GPR surveys<\/a>, pavement coring and engineering analysis. Fieldwork can be coordinated around airside operational windows to minimise disruption.<\/p>

Project example:<\/strong> HWD testing at Muscat International Airport, Oman<\/a>.<\/p>

Discuss your airport pavement assessment with QRoad.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"QRoad\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

How HWD Testing Works<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

At each test location, the HWD applies a controlled load pulse to the pavement surface. Geophones positioned at defined distances record the deflection basin. The load level, test spacing and measurement sequence are selected for the pavement type, aircraft loading and assessment objective.<\/p>

The data can be used to backcalculate pavement layer stiffness, assess load-transfer efficiency at joints, identify structural variability and estimate remaining structural life.<\/p>

What airport pavement managers receive<\/h3>