Light Weight Deflectometer –

Measuring Dynamic Modulus

and CBR on-site Immediately

Dynamic Plate Load Test

www.ticservicegroup.com.au
12 Oct 2011
 Overview
•  What is the Light Weight Deflectometer
•  What does it do?
•  Where did the Light Weight Deflectometer come from?
•  What does it simulate?
•  What results do you get? Explanation of results graphs. Range limitations.
•  How is it part of an integrated compaction control system
•  Relationship with other devices
•  What is the CBR Extension?
•  What is the relationship between the Dynamic Modulus and CBR?
•  What results do you get? Explanation of results graphs. Range limitations.
•  What are the influences on the results?
•  How do you calibrate the equipment?
•  Technical standards
•  How is the device used?
•  Advantages and limitations
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 What does it do?
The Light Weight Deflectometer can be used for:
–  measuring the bearing capacity (deflection)
–  degree of compaction
–  insitu and laboratory dynamic CBR
of subgrade/subsoils, unbound base layers, granular layers,
backfilling materials, soil stabilisation with lime, cold recycling
materials and pavements, cycle tracks and footpaths.

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 What does it simulate?

The Light Weight Deflectometer is developed from the idea that a truck with
10 tons axle weight moves at 80 km per hour on the road.

Soil pressure of 10 tons / m² = 0.1 MN / m² along a time of 18ms

Sizes of the test device: Diameter of the loading plate 300mm

Force of load device 7.07kN
Soil pressure under the load plate
0.1 MN/m² during a load time
of about 18 ms
The measuring time of 18 ms is created
with the plate springs.

This dynamic load plate test simulates and these conditions.

 Principles of Operation
•  The soil receives an impact of maximum force Fs transmitted
through the fall of the drop weight onto a circular plate of radius r,
which is assumed to be rigid. When the device is calibrated, the
force is selected such that the maximum normal stress σ under the
load plate is 0.1MN/m2.

•  To calculate Evd, the deformability of the soil under a vertical load,

as described above, with a settlement amplitude s (in mm) and the
duration of impact ts:

•  Evd (MN/m2) = 1.5 x r x σ /s

•  For the 10kg drop weight and 300mm diameter plate Evd = 22.5/s
•  For the 15kg drop weight and 300mm diameter plate Evd = 33.75/s
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 How does it work
A weight of 10 kg drops from a height of 72 cm on a load
plate with a diameter of 300 mm. On the load plate, an
acceleration sensor is arranged. From this acceleration
signal will be calculated the dynamic deformation modulus
Evd.

- 10 kg loading device (Evd 5-70 MN/m²)

- 15kg loading device (70-105 MN/m²)

The easy-to-operate ZFG 3000 GPS enables the user to

enjoy short test times (approx. 2 minutes), precise
repeatable measurements, on-site printouts complete with
all information and simple data transmission to the PC with
SD-Card. The measured result is available after only 4
steps.
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 Degree of Compaction
The ZFG 3000 has an acceleration sensor attached to the base plate. The
first integration of acceleration shows the velocity of the plate. And the
second integration gives the deflection. The degree of compaction is based
solely on experience and provide the examiner with an immediate statement
about the likely effectiveness of compaction, enabling you to take a decision
about soil improvement or soil replacement.

The value of s / v = 3.5 is relevant here.

In case of compacted soil is valid:

s / v < 3.5 - The compacted soil can be compacted further.
s / v > 3.5 – If compacted, the soil is unsuitable for further compaction!
Soil improvement or a soil exchange is necessary.
s / v > 3.5 – If it is in-situ soil, it can be compressed further.
 Integrated compaction control system

Handheld testing devices, e.g.

nuclear-density gauge, can only
measure a limited amount of space
at a time—covering only a small
percentage of the project’s footprint.

Compaction
Uniformity
to specification
An Intelligent Compaction (IC) roller can test
the entire range of the project, and its
sensors can penetrate deeper into the fill.
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 Measuring Compaction: Fundamental Changes

From Density to Stiffness Density

Stiffness is the basis for

calculating an even more Stiffness*
fundamental material property,
"modulus," which experts agree
is the most accurate and
independent means for judging
deformation and, thus, a
material's level of compaction.

* Stiffness is loosely defined as a measure of a

material's ability to resist deformation under load
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 Compaction Control
Compaction Method Measurement Unit & When In-situ test methods
Old Method
Density

After Compaction is
Complete

Provides little or no
“on the fly” feedback
Nuclear Gauge
Stiffness
New Method
Ongoing measurement & Verified using a compaction
feedback to operator control device (inc DCP,
GeoGauge and Light
Weight Deflectometer eg
Zorn ZFG3000)

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Intelligent Compaction
Measuring Compaction: Fundamental Changes
from Density to Stiffness

Density

Stiffness*

* Stiffness is loosely defined as a measure of a

material's ability to resist deformation under load 17
 Relationship with Static Plate
•  Evd and Ev2 relationship - the relationship between the static
deflection modulus Ev2, measured by the static plate bearing test,
and the dynamic deflection modulus Evd depends on the kind of soil
and the degree of compaction.
•  Experience shows that the ratio Ev2/Evd lies in the range 1.0 to 4.
•  For densely compacted soils Ev2/Evd ~ 2.3
•  On average the following relation between the dynamic deflection
modulus Evd, and the static deflection modulus Ev2, can be used:

•  This relation does not hold for limiting values.

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 CBR
Extensions

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 CBR Extensions
•  The dynamic CBR test, in particular, the in-situ field test, is a
material test on compacted samples, with which one can judge what
level of compaction can be achieved on the tested soil.
•  All readings and analysis can be done in the field and the results are
immediately available at the construction site.
•  The CBR stamp has a diameter of 50 mm and a corresponding
pressure amplitude of 3.6 MN/m2.
•  The Dynamic CBR Extensions measure in-situ the dynamic
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value CBRd within a range of 20% ≤
CBRd ≤ 150%. The CBR-value is calculated as follows:
CBRd = 87.3 / s0.59 % (s [mm])
where s is the settlement amplitude (in mm) of the CBR stamp

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 Advantages
•  Immediate evaluation of measurement possible on site
•  Direct deflection readings: accelerometer directly connected to the
base plate
•  Time saving in testing (a maximum of 3 minutes per measuring point)
•  Accurate repeatable results
•  One-man use: designed for field testing
•  No additional loading vehicle or support is required
•  Testing on sites with difficult accessibility possible
•  Readings captured on SD-card for data memory (10,000 data sets)
allowing immediate on-site results printing and data transfer to PC
•  Data interpretation software allows data storage, analysis and
manipulation and easy inclusion into reports
•  GPS-System for immediate determination of test position integrated
with Google Maps
•  Using extensions to the ZFG 3000, dynamic CBR (California Bearing
Ratio) can be measured in-situ in the field and also laboratory CBR in
a cylinder can be simulated.
Calibration

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Technical Standards
ASTM E2835 – 11 Standard Test Method for Measuring
Deflections using a Portable Impulse Plate Load Test Device

Technical Test Progrom for soil

and rock in the road TP BF - StB
Part B 8.3 - Federal Highway
Research Institute (BAST) 1992

In this test procedure, it governs,

for example the device structure
(material, size, weight) but also
Experimental parameters (impact
force = 7.07 kN, load time 18ms)
and calibration cycles
 Thank You
•  Self Control by Contractors / Geotech
Companies
•  CBR recognised e.g. rail
•  Used for acceptance where Ausroads /
VicRoads standards don’t apply e.g. remote
regions, mines, construction sites etc

www.ticservicegroup.com.au
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