If you have
heard about Falling Weight Deflectometer or have used it, then you should know
that Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD) also works on the same principle. LWD is
mainly used for determining the non-cohesive sub-bases, bearing capacity of the
soil, soil compaction, pavement improvements, and inbuilt soil layers. Many of
you must be thinking that when we already own a device to check all these
things, what the need for a LWD is. Well, most of the devices used for
determining the facts mentioned above are not easy to operate everywhere. Also,
they are quite complicated when it comes to evaluating the soil bearing
capacity, earthwork or other such things.
The devices
like Falling Weight Deflectometer, Truck Mounted Deflectometer or Static Plate
are not easy to carry. One requires vehicles to carry these devices. LWD can be
carried easily as it is a portable device. Also, it comes with a small
transport cart and carrying case, which makes it easy to carry this device
anywhere. When using other devices, many people are required to operate these
devices. LWD can be operated by a single person also.
Light Weight Deflectometer was introduced in
Germany, and people have been using it for a long time. Its features and
benefits have made it famous, and now it is being used for different
applications. The LWD was made to measure soil's in-situ dynamic modulus.
Because of its lack of availability, it was not quite popular before. But at
present, people in different parts of the world are utilizing this device,
especially in North America. If we compare it with traditional devices that are
being used for measuring capacity and quality of soil and paved roads, LWD is
quite efficient. It carries out the tests in less time, which is hardly 1 or 2
minutes. It makes it possible to evaluate the result on-site only. Another
reason for making LWD is that it can be used to evaluate the compaction of soil
or pavement beddings in small spaces also. Most of the traditional devices are unable
to reach small spaces for such evaluations.
With the
increase in the number of applications of Light Weight Deflectometer, its
demand is also increasing. One can order this device easily, as it is now
available online.
