Benkelman Beam is an apparatus, which measures the deflection of a flexible pavement under moving wheel loads. This is a simple device and forms the basis of empirical diagnosis of pavement defects.

Benkelman Beam Features

Benkelman Beam is a very useful pavement analysis tool. Most of the tool manufacturers provuide the following features in their Benkelman Beam apparatus

• The equipment is light weight and made of aluminium for easy portability and use at any test location.
• Length of the Benkelman beam is 250cm and net weight is 15kg.
• The apparatus is compact, unique and possess a telescopic design for quick set up and storage during transport to the test location.
• The equipment is supplied in two parts for assembling on site with easy hand tools.
• One end of the beam rests at a point under investigation while the beam is pivoted in the centre.
• The free end carries a dial gauge to record the deflections. The other end is kept on a stable platform.
• Provided with anti-vibration system for accurate measurement of pavements.
• Provided with dial indicator and accessories.
• The beam is put in contact with the pavement under test between the tires of the vehicles.
• The measurement of the deflection is carried out when the vehicle passes over the test area.

Benkelman Beam with horizontal digital indicator comes with digital gauge for horizontal-reading. This eliminates the need of laying the apparatus on the ground to read the dial indicator.

Utility of Benkelman Beam

Benkelman Beam is so popular for pavement analysis and test due to its many advantages

• Direct reading of deflection dial indicators eliminate the need for conversions or calculations during measurement.
• It is used to measure the deflection of the road surface when loaded by the wheels of vehicles.

Benkelman Beam Accessories

Benkelman Beam apparatus come with the following accessories

• Wooden carrying case for the Benkelman Beam
• Benkelman indicator gauge, calibration unit, etc.
• Gauge cover on the beam

Applications of Benkelman Beam

The test equipment is used for the following

• Pavement structure analysis
• Roadways construction
• Road surface deflection measurement
• Plate test