Simtec provides advanced Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing to accurately assess pavement structural performance and support informed asset management decisions.
Our FWD testing services help clients understand pavement strength, predict future performance, and plan targeted maintenance interventions based on robust technical data.
What is FWD Pavement Testing?
FWD testing (Falling Weight Deflectometer testing) is a non-intrusive method used to measure how a pavement responds to dynamic loading.
By simulating the load of a moving vehicle and recording surface deflections, FWD testing provides critical insight into pavement stiffness, layer performance, and overall structural capacity.
- FWD surveys are commonly used to support:
- Pavement condition assessments
- Maintenance and rehabilitation planning
- Strengthening and overlay design
- Asset management programmes
- Compliance with highway standards
Our FWD Pavement Testing Services
Simtec delivers a comprehensive range of FWD pavement testing and analysis services, aligned with current industry standards and client requirements.
Our capabilities include:
- Comprehensive FWD Testing to CS229 - Accurately measure pavement deflection under dynamic loading in accordance with CS229 requirements.
- Structural Back-Analysis - Use advanced analytical techniques to assess pavement layer stiffness and evaluate structural capacity.
- Residual Lifespan Prediction - Determine remaining pavement service life using FWD data to support long-term maintenance planning.
- .F25 Data File Outputs - All results can be provided in industry-standard .F25 file format, ensuring compatibility with asset management systems and specialist pavement software.
Our engineers work closely with clients, consultants, and asset owners to ensure testing outputs are practical, usable, and aligned with scheme objectives.
Supporting Smarter Pavement Management
FWD testing forms a critical part of modern pavement assessment strategies.
When combined with coring, visual surveys, and material testing, it enables a data-led understanding of pavement condition rather than relying solely on surface appearance.
Simtec's FWD pavement testing services help clients to:
- Identify structurally weak areas early
- Prioritise maintenance budgets effectively
- Avoid unnecessary full reconstruction
- Extend the service life of existing pavements
- Improve whole-life cost outcomes
Why Choose Simtec for FWD Testing?
Simtec combines technical expertise with practical site experience to deliver reliable FWD pavement testing across a wide range of environments, including motorways, local roads, industrial estates, airfields, and specialist paved areas.
Our approach is:
- Technically robust
- Data-driven
- Aligned to project objectives
- Focused on delivering clear, usable outputs
We work as a technical partner, not just a testing provider, helping clients interpret results and apply them meaningfully to design and asset decisions.
FAQs About FWD Pavement Testing
What is the difference between FWD testing and visual pavement inspections?
Visual inspections assess surface conditions, including cracking, rutting, and surface defects. FWD testing goes further by measuring the pavement's structural performance under simulated wheel load. This provides insight into the strength and stiffness of pavement layers, helping identify underlying structural issues that may not yet be visible at the surface.
When should FWD testing be used on a project?
FWD testing is particularly valuable when planning maintenance, strengthening, or rehabilitation works. It is commonly used during network condition assessments, prior to major resurfacing schemes, when unexpected failures occur, or when clients need evidence-based data to support investment and lifecycle decisions.
What information does back-analysis from FWD data provide?
Back-analysis uses FWD deflection data to estimate the stiffness and performance of individual pavement layers. This helps engineers assess structural capacity, identify weak layers, and understand how the pavement is performing as a whole, supporting better engineering judgement and more targeted design solutions.
How accurate is residual pavement life prediction using FWD results?
Residual life predictions are based on established engineering models and the quality of the collected data. When combined with other information such as pavement construction details, traffic loading, and condition data, FWD-based predictions provide a reliable and practical forecast to support maintenance planning and asset management decisions.
Can FWD data be integrated into asset management systems?
Yes. Simtec provides results in the industry-standard F25 file format, compatible with many pavement management and analysis platforms. This allows clients and consultants to easily incorporate FWD data into their own systems for ongoing monitoring, reporting, and long-term planning.