Road pavement investigations
A pavement investigation finds the cause before you fix the wrong layer
Identify where damage begins and why it has occurred
Visible signs such as cracking, deformation and surface deterioration do not always indicate where the defect originates. Maintenance decisions may address symptoms without addressing potential weaknesses in other layers or sub-grade conditions if no investigation occurs.
Geotesta combines visual inspection and field testing with targeted, invasive examination of existing pavements to assess current condition. This data can also inform the design of new pavement layers and sub-base, matched to ground conditions and the roadway’s intended performance.
Road Pavement Investigation Scope
Condition assessment
Visual pavement assessment records cracking, deformation and other visible defects to help identify where more detailed investigation or maintenance may be required.
AI defect mapping
A vehicle-mounted, AI-enabled camera can map cracks, discontinuities and pavement damage across long road sections, reducing the need for slow manual inspection.
DCP testing
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer testing measures resistance through shallow pavement and subgrade layers, helping identify changes in stiffness or weaker supporting ground.
LWD and FWD
Light Weight and Falling Weight Deflectometer testing measures pavement or formation response under load to support condition assessment and rehabilitation planning.
Intrusive investigation
Small pavement cuts, test pits, drilling and sampling can expose layer thicknesses, materials and subgrade conditions where direct confirmation is required.
Pavement design
Investigation findings can inform pavement and subbase layer thickness, material selection, moisture conditioning and compaction requirements for new or reconstructed pavements.
Geotechnical capabilities across road networks
Frequently asked questions
A road pavement investigation identifies both the present condition of all layers of pavement and how these layers respond structurally, as well as identifying the condition of the subgrade below to help determine why defects are happening. It also identifies whether repair or replacement should be focused on surface treatments, repairing or replacing damaged layers above, improving the subgrade below, or reconstructing entirely.
Pavement investigations should be considered before rehabilitation, reconstruction or the design of new pavement. They are also valuable when cracking, deformation or repeated failures suggest that visible damage may be a symptom of deeper underlying issues.
Yes. If you’d like to map defects over longer distances we can perform vehicle-mounted pavement condition surveys over longer stretches of council-owned roads or highway infrastructure networks.
Our vehicle-mounted cameras capture visual defects such as cracks, discontinuities and degradation in surface appearance. This allows your team to prioritise locations for remediation or repair, or further detailed investigation based upon defect severity and location.
Both measure response under applied load. The most effective choice between them depends on several factors such as pavement condition, soil or formation conditions, and objectives for your specific investigation. Geotesta uses whichever technique best matches your needs.
DCP testing measures resistance through shallow layers and subgrade. It provides valuable insight into possible weak zones or differences in support below the pavement surface which could explain visible defects.
Our Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) testing provides a rapid, reliable and non-destructive assessment of pavement structural performance. By applying a controlled impact load that simulates the effect of a heavy moving wheel, the FWD measures pavement deflection at multiple locations to evaluate structural capacity, layer stiffness and subgrade support. The results help identify weak or deteriorated sections, assess remaining pavement life and support the design of cost-effective maintenance, rehabilitation and overlay solutions.