To overcome the inefficiency in detecting subgrade bearing capacity in airport earthwork′s construction

a new method for rapid detection of subgrade bearing capacity is proposed. Base on falling weight deflectometer

the falling weight height

which effect is equivalent to bearing-plate test

is determined by theoretical analysis and numerical simulation in the paper.Comparative test is carried out in the test section of a domestic airport with specific loading equipment and soil conditions.The dynamic-static loads contrast curve which is established by a large number of actual field engineering tests

is proved to be valid.The result shows that the proposed approach can be applied to detect subgrade bearing capacity rapidly and effectively.