Design of Bituminous Overlay Using

Benkelman Beam Deflection (BBD) Data

(IRC 81-1997

Name:- Umair Shaikh

 PURPOSE OF OVERLAY

• Strengthening a pavement
• Increase load carrying capacity of an existing pavement
• Correct a defective surface condition of an existing pavement
• Pavement maintenance
TYPES OF OVERLAY

 Bituminous overlay over bituminous pavements

 Bituminous overlays on concrete pavements
 Concrete overlays on Bituminous pavements
(White-topping)
 Concrete overlays on concrete pavements
 Bituminous Overlay
Benkelman Beam Deflection: IRC81 - 1997
 Benkelman Beam : IRC81 - 1997
 Developed by A.C. Benkelman (USA)- 1953
 Used in India for last 2-3 decades (First IRC code in 1981)
 Overlay design based on rebound deflection of
bituminous pavement
 Strengthening of an existing flexible pavement
 Deflection measurement under static load
 Factors affecting deflection of a pavement:
o Subgrade type (soil type)
o Moisture
o Temperature
o Thickness of pavement layer(s)
o Compaction of pavement layer
o Drainage condition
 Preparation for Doing Benkelman Beam Test

 Benkelman Beam apparatus

 Calibration of Benkelman Beam
• Truck with a rear standard axle weight = 8 ton (KN)
 Tire pressure = 5.6 kg/cm2 (0.56 MPa)
 Thermometer for measurement of temperature
 Accessories for collection of soil, moisture
 Traffic data (growth rate, distribution factor
Measuring Tape
80 kN

Standard Axle (Rear Axle)

Deflection
• Initial Reading – Do (start Point)
• Intermediate reading- Di ( truck moves to
2.7m away from the start point)
• Final reading- Df (truck Moves to 9m
Away from the Start Point)
 Test Location of Benkelman Beam Test

Marking of wheel path from

pavement edge
• 0.6 m for lane width < 3.5 m
• 0.9 m for lane width > 3.5 m
• 1.5 m for divided four lane highway

Not more than 50 m

Corrections
Seasonal Correction
Steps – BBD Overlay Design
• Corrected characteristic deflection = 2.3996 mm
• Traffic: 20 msa
• Thickness of overlay in terms of BM from the chart
= 200 mm
• Thickness in terms of DBM/BC = 200*0.7 = 140 mm
• Provide 40 mm BC and 100 mm DBM