Use of Benkelman Beams for Measuring LTE in Whitetopping: An Alternative Tool to FWD Test

• Published in: Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India). Series A, Civil, architectural, environmental and agricultural Engineering Vol. 93; no. 3; pp. 203 - 207
• Main Authors: Jundhare, D. R., Khare, K. C., Jain, R. K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer-Verlag 01-09-2012
• Subjects: Civil Engineering; Engineering; Original Contribution; Benkelman beam test; Load transfer efficiency; Transverse joints; Thin whitetopping
• ISSN: 2250-2149; 2250-2157
• DOI: 10.1007/s40030-013-0019-x

Whitetopping is a rehabilitation or structural strengthening alternative on hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement. It is constructed on the top of existing HMA pavement. Generally, falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflection measurements are used to obtain the load transfer efficiency (LTE) of the transverse joints. However, the use of FWD in India has been very limited so far because of its high cost and difficulties encountered in maintaining the equipment. Therefore, a need has been aroused to identify an alternative to FWD test, which can be cost effective and easily available. In this work, Benkelman beam deflection test has been conducted using two Benkelman beams simultaneously placed on two adjacent slabs near transverse joint for measuring LTE of 150 mm thick in-service thin whitetopping constructed at Dahanukar Colony, Kothrud, Pune city. An alternative tool has been developed for measuring LTE in whitetopping.