METHOD OF

BENKELMAN BEAM DEFLECTION TEST

1. Introduction:-This method is used to know the deflection of the pavement which is intern used in determining the overlay
thickness for an existing flexible pavement. Determine of optimum crust thickness for Overlay design (Strengthening) for
Strengthening.
2. Equipment used:- Benkelman Beam, Thermometer, Auger, Mandrel, Glycerol, Truck, Benkelman Beam, Dial Gauge,
Tapes, and other Safety items.

3. Temperature Data: - The Standard temperature for doing the test is 35oc. Since it is not possible to conduct the test at the
standard temperature, a correction factor has to be applied for the deflection. The correction factor is determined by
knowing the temperature at the time of the survey. If the depth is less i.e. if it is a thin bituminous surfacing like premix
carpet and surface dressing, then no correction is required.
 The procedure for determining the temperature is given below:
A hole has to be drilled into the pavement with the help of a mandrel. The depth of the hole is 45mm and the diameter
of the hole at the top is 10mm and at the bottom is 1 cm.
The hole has to be filled with glycerol and the temperature has to be recorded after 5 minutes with the thermometer
(range of temperature between 0-100o)
The temperature reading has to be measured for every hour during the survey.

4. Soil Data: -Deflection measurements should be made during the monsoons when the pavement is in its weakest condition.
Hence a correction for seasonal variation has to be applied for the deflection which is a function of the soil sub grade. The
data required is (a) average annual rainfall in that area (b) soil classification Sandy/Gravelly/Clayey with low Plasticity
and Clayey with high plasticity (c) Field moisture content.
Hence the soil tests that have to be conducted are moisture content test (Standard Proctor Test). Sieve analysis (For Soil
Classification) and Atterberg limit tests (For Determination of PI Value)
The Procedure for soil collection is given below:

Make a test pit in the shoulder to a depth up to 15cm below the sub grade level in every km. using an auger collect the
soil sample from the sub grade beneath the deflection points (these are the points which are at a distance of 0.6m from
the edge of the pavement if the carriageway width < 3.5m (Single lane road), 0.9m if the carriageway width is greater
than 3.5m (Two an road) and 1.5m if it is a four lane Road) the view of the sample collection is given below in the
drawing.
5. Work Data:- Rear axle weight of the truck = 8170kg, Tyre Pressure = 5.6kg/cm2, Spacing Between the Tyre Walls = 30-
40mm

6. Methodology:
Pavement condition survey has to be done for dividing the road sections into uniform sections.
Minimum of 10 points have to be selected. In each road section of uniform performance minimum of ten points should
be marked at equal distance in each lane of traffic for making the deflection measurements in the outer wheel path.
The interval between the points should not be more than 50m
The point on the pavement to be tested is selected and marked. For highways the point should be located 60cm from
the pavement edge if the lane width is less than 3.5m and 90 cm from the pavement edge for wider lanes. For divided
four lane highway, the measurements points should be 1.5 m from the pavement edge.
The dual wheels of the truck are centered above the selected point.
The probe of the Benkelman beam is inserted between the duals and placed on the selected point
The locking pin is removed from the beam and their legs are adjusted so that the plunger of the beam is in contact with
the stem of the dial gauge. The beam pivot arms are checked for free movement

 The dial gauge is set at approximately 1 cm. the initial reading is recorded when the rate of deformation of the
pavement is equal or less than 0.025mm/min
The truck is slowly driven a distance of 270 cm and stopped
An intermediate reading is recorded when the rate of recovery of the pavement is equal or less than 0.025mm/min.
The truck is driven forward a further 9m
The final reading is recorded when the rate of recovery of pavement is equal to or less than 0.025mm/min
Pavement temperature is recorded at least once every hour inserting thermometer in the standard hole and filling up
the hole with glycerol
The tyre pressure is checked at two or three hour intervals during the day and adjusted to the standard, if necessary
Deflections measured by Benkelman beam are also influenced by climate condition of the year. The seasonal variation
depends upon the type of sub-grade soil, its field moisture content and avg. rainfall of that area. For the design purpose
correction of seasonal variation should also be taken into consideration. Furthermore, traffic in terms of cvpd shall be
considered for the overlay design.

7. Correction for Temperature: - The stiffness of bituminous layers changes with temperature of the binder and
consequently the surface deflections of a given pavement will vary depending on the temperature of the constituent
bituminous layers. Correction for temperature variation on deflection values measured at temperature other than 35oc should
be 0.01 mm for each degree centigrade change from the standard temperature of 35oc. The correction will be positive for
pavement temperature lower than 35oc and negative for pavement temperature higher than 35oc.
8. Correction for Seasonal Variation: - The correction for seasonal variation is determined from the graph as per IRC-81.
The deflection values corrected for temperature shall be multiplied by the appropriate values of seasonal correction factors
to obtain corrected values of deflection.
9. Objective: - The Objective is to determine the optimum crust thickness for overlay design (Strengthening) under given
design moving wheel load (Axle Load) without occurring any distress as per IS-2720, IRC: 37-2001, IRC-81-1997 &
MORTH Specification.

1. Atterbergs Limits IS 2720 P5

2. Grain Size Analysis IS 2720 P4
3. O.M.C. IS 2720 P8
4. California Bearing Ration IS 2720 P16
5. Free Swell & Swell Pressure. IS 2720 P40/41

The Main aim of investigation and testing is to evaluate the deflection of existing flexible pavement under specified load. There
other parameters are also taken into consideration for overlay design such as pavement temperature, field moisture content, type
of sub-grade soil and their influence on pavement deflection & service behavior, average intensity of rainfall in that particular
area, traffic intensity in terms of cvpd (commercial vehicle per day) on particular stretch.
To fulfill the above objective, Benkelman beam deflection test is conducted on existing pavement and then recorded data are
analyzed and that basis the overlay design for flexible pavement is finalized.