FWD for Runway Inspection at Burundi Airport

iRoad's DCFWD-200 towed falling weight deflectometer is in service on an airport project in Burundi, East Africa.

Application

The FWD is used for structural bearing capacity testing and maintenance acceptance of the airport's runway, taxiways, connecting roads and surrounding roads. Typical tasks include:- Bearing capacity evaluation of pavement structural layers- Construction quality acceptance- Condition assessment of existing pavements

Working in African conditions

High temperatures, dry air and heavy dust challenge both electronics and mechanics. Heat can affect sensor accuracy, and dust can enter the equipment and cause wear. For this project, the FWD was optimized for heat dissipation, sealing and dust filtration, allowing long-term stable operation in the field.

Results

Since the project started, the equipment has operated stably and delivered accurate data, supporting quality control for new construction and rehabilitation at the airport, as well as defect investigation and acceptance. The project also shows that iRoad equipment performs reliably in extreme climates, and lays the groundwork for further airport and road projects in Africa.

Related product: Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)