Road Asset Audits: Why IRC 115 Should Be Part of Every Government Project

In India’s fast-growing infrastructure landscape, road asset sustainability is under sharp focus. While construction receives ample attention, the systematic auditing and structural evaluation of road assets is often overlooked. This is where IRC Code 115, the “Guidelines for Structural Evaluation and Strengthening of Flexible Pavements using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD),” becomes essential.

Government projects across rural and urban regions are now expected to maintain long-term performance, durability, and safety of roads. The adoption of IRC 115 standards ensures scientific evaluation and timely rehabilitation, making it a critical inclusion in all government-funded road works.

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What Is IRC Code 115 and Why Does It Matter?

Published by the Indian Roads Congress, IRC 115 provides a structured approach to evaluating the strength and residual life of flexible pavements using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) equipment. It enables authorities to:

• Identify weakened pavement areas
• Recommend overlay thickness based on deflection data
• Minimize premature failures
• Optimize maintenance budgets

By scientifically analyzing pavement response to dynamic loads, engineers can prioritize maintenance activities based on performance data, rather than assumptions.

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The Need for Road Asset Audits in Public Projects

Government infrastructure projects are built with public funds—making accountability, quality, and longevity crucial. Road asset audits offer measurable advantages:

1. Ensuring Compliance

Audits ensure that construction adheres to national codes like IRC:37, IRC:81, and IRC:115, protecting against poor workmanship.

2. Life Cycle Cost Efficiency

Asset audits prevent overdesign and under-maintenance, optimizing budgets across the asset’s life span.

3. Planning Preventive Maintenance

With the help of evaluation methods in IRC 115, agencies can transition from reactive to proactive maintenance, reducing long-term costs and disruptions.

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How IRC 115 Works in Practice

Step 1: Pavement Deflection Testing

Using FWD, loads are applied on the pavement surface, and resulting deflections are recorded through sensors.

Step 2: Structural Capacity Assessment

Deflection data is interpreted using back-calculation methods to evaluate subgrade and layer modulus.

Step 3: Overlay Design

Based on the assessed strength, overlay thickness is designed to restore pavement to acceptable serviceability.

This scientific approach ensures roads are not only maintained but also structurally improved for future load conditions.

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RoadVision AI: Enabling Smarter Road Audits

Emerging technologies like RoadVision AI are transforming how road audits are conducted. By leveraging AI-based visual condition assessments and integrating with tools like FWD, RoadVision AI can:

• Detect pavement distresses with up to 95% accuracy
• Offer digital twin visualizations of road networks
• Enable data-driven decision-making for overlay and maintenance planning

This helps ensure IRC 115-based evaluations are not only accurate but scalable across entire state or national road networks.

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Benefits of Using IRC 115 in Government Projects

• Scientific Accuracy: Real-time data collection and standardized analysis
• Budget Optimization: Identifying only required overlays avoids unnecessary expenses
• Public Safety: Better-maintained roads reduce accident risks
• Lifecycle Planning: Long-term insights into road network sustainability

Challenges Without IRC 115 Implementation

• Arbitrary overlay designs
• Premature pavement failures
• Increased maintenance and reconstruction costs
• Lack of audit trails and accountability in public spending

Making IRC Code 115 a mandatory part of all government road projects ensures infrastructure that’s built to last, safely and cost-effectively.

Conclusion

Incorporating IRC Code 115 into road asset audits is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. For any government project aiming at sustainable, safe, and cost-effective road infrastructure, data-driven evaluations and AI-powered insights are essential. Tools like RoadVision AI bridge the gap between policy and performance, enabling audits that are thorough, predictive, and aligned with national standards.

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RoadVision AI is transforming road infrastructure development and maintenance with its innovative AI in road maintenance and AI in road construction solutions. By utilizing cutting-edge computer vision technology and digital twin models, the platform conducts comprehensive road safety audits, enabling the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other surface issues for timely repairs and enhanced road conditions. The use of AI in road safety also extends to traffic surveys, providing data-driven insights to tackle challenges like traffic congestion and optimize road usage. Focused on building smart roads, RoadVision AI ensures full compliance with IRC Codes, empowering engineers and stakeholders to reduce costs, minimize risks, and elevate road safety and transportation efficiency.

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FAQs

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Q1. What is IRC Code 115 used for in road audits?

IRC 115 guides the structural evaluation and strengthening of flexible pavements using FWD data, essential for planning overlays and maintenance strategies.

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Q2. Why are road asset audits important in government projects?

They ensure quality, safety, and cost-effective infrastructure by assessing road conditions scientifically and enabling preventive maintenance planning.

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Q3. How does RoadVision AI improve road asset audits?

RoadVision AI automates visual inspection, integrates with pavement evaluation data, and delivers actionable insights aligned with IRC codes like 115.

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