Benkelman Beam

Product Code : EL-BTLE-10428

Benkelman Beam (code EL-BTLE-10428) is a balanced-beam device used together with a suitable vehicle to measure road flexure, that is, the deflection of flexible pavements under moving wheel loads. It works on a simple lever arm principle, is built in lightweight aluminium with a telescopic design that simplifies field set up and stores compactly, and comes with a carrying case; a digital dial gauge version is offered as well.

Get a quote: use the Add To Cart enquiry button below, or send your quantity and delivery location through the contact page.

Specifications

What Is the Benkelman Beam Used For?

Deflection testing shows how much a flexible pavement bends under a standard wheel load and how far it recovers, which is used to judge its structural condition and to plan strengthening. The probe end of the beam is placed on the road between the dual rear wheels of a loaded truck, the reference end rests clear of the deflection bowl, and the dial gauge is read as the truck moves slowly away; the lever arm carries the rebound of the surface at the probe to the gauge. The telescopic aluminium beam is carried to site in its case. The standards listed are AASHTO T256-77 and CNR N141.

What to Specify When Ordering

• Quantity — the number of beams required.
• Dial gauge — the standard beam or the version with a digital dial gauge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Benkelman Beam measure deflection?
It uses a balanced beam working on a simple lever arm principle, set beneath the wheels of a suitable vehicle, so that movement of the road surface under the moving wheel load is shown at the gauge.

What is the beam made of?
The beam is of lightweight aluminium construction with a telescopic design, which simplifies field set up and keeps it compact for transport and storage.

Is a digital reading version available?
Yes. A Benkelman Beam fitted with a digital dial gauge is also available, at extra cost, in place of the standard version.

What kind of pavement is it meant for?
It is intended for flexible pavements, measuring their deflection under moving wheel loads as an indicator of the structural condition of the road.

What comes with the beam?
Each beam is supplied with a carrying case, so that the telescoped unit can be moved between test sites and stored in a small space.

Which standards are given?
The standards listed are AASHTO T256-77 and CNR N141, and the beam is used in the field with a suitable loaded vehicle.

OEM Manufacturer

The Benkelman Beam is made by Engineering Lab Equipment (Engineering Labs Equipment Pvt Ltd) at its works at Plot No. 43, Industrial Park, Sector 2, Growth Center, Saha, District Ambala, Haryana, India. The company designs, makes and tests bitumen and asphalt testing equipment for binder tests, mix preparation and specimen testing for engineering colleges, polytechnics, technical training institutes and research laboratories in India and overseas, and can build equipment to an institution's own requirements. Tender and OEM enquiries are handled through the Tenders/OEM page.

Related Bitumen and Asphalt Testing Equipment

• Falling Weight Deflectometer — impulse-load pavement deflection tester with GPS positioning, ± 3.5 mm range and 3-drop testing.
• Travelling Beam Device — 3 m wheeled beam with recorder for graphing road surface deviations up to ± 25 mm.
• Straight Edge — 3 meter mild steel or aluminium beam with end supports for checking lateral road regularity.
• Core Drilling Machine (Petrol) — wheel-mounted petrol core drill for cores up to 200 mm diameter from asphalt and concrete.

See the full Bitumen/Asphalt Testing Lab Equipment range or all Civil Engineering Lab Equipment.

Request a Quote

For this and other bitumen and asphalt testing lab equipment, schools and colleges can contact Engineering Lab Equipment, a manufacturer, supplier and exporter based in Ambala, India. To ask for a quotation, send the number of beams and whether the digital dial gauge version is wanted and your delivery location through the contact page, or use the Add To Cart enquiry button on this page.

Last updated: October 2026