Why IRC 115 is Critical for Budget Planning in Government Road Projects?

Government road projects often struggle with one core challenge: maintaining long-term pavement performance within tight budgets. The key to solving this lies in using accurate data to guide investment decisions—and this is where the IRC Code 115, officially titled “Guidelines for Structural Evaluation and Strengthening of Flexible Pavement using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD)”, becomes indispensable.

This blog explores why IRC 115 should be central to every government’s road asset planning and how AI-based tools like RoadVision AI can enhance its implementation.

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What is IRC Code 115?

IRC 115 was published by the Indian Roads Congress to provide standardized procedures for evaluating the structural strength of existing flexible pavements using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). This method simulates the impact of moving vehicles by applying a load and measuring surface deflections.

Its application enables agencies to:

• Determine structural capacity of pavements
• Identify required overlays or strengthening measures
• Avoid over- or under-design
• Optimize maintenance timing and cost

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Why Structural Evaluation is a Budget Priority

Pavement maintenance and strengthening account for a major portion of infrastructure expenditure. Without scientific evaluation like that outlined in IRC 115, roads may either deteriorate faster (due to under-strengthening) or receive excessive layers (wasting materials and funds).

Benefits of using IRC 115 in budgeting:

• Cost-Effective Maintenance: Determines precise overlay thickness, preventing unnecessary reconstruction.
• Asset Life Maximization: Timely interventions extend pavement life.
• Data-Driven Planning: Allows prioritization of critical stretches.
• Risk Mitigation: Helps detect hidden structural failures before visible damage.

In essence, IRC 115 guides governments to spend smarter, not more.

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Role of RoadVision AI in Strengthening IRC 115 Application

While FWD testing offers a reliable structural snapshot, covering large road networks manually is resource-intensive. AI-powered solutions like RoadVision AI complement IRC 115 by enabling:

• Automated road defect detection using smartphone or dashcam footage
• Geo-tagged mapping of surface distress for quick analysis
• Prioritization of stretches requiring structural evaluation using FWD
• Visual data logs to supplement IRC 115 assessments over time

By pre-screening roads through AI before applying IRC 115, agencies can drastically reduce survey costs and time.

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Integrating IRC 115 in Budget Planning Workflow

Here’s how government bodies can incorporate IRC 115 effectively:

1. AI-Assisted Pre-Screening: Use RoadVision AI to identify critical stretches.
2. Structural Evaluation: Conduct FWD testing as per IRC 115 on flagged stretches.
3. Overlay Design: Use measured deflection data to calculate necessary strengthening.
4. Lifecycle Cost Analysis: Compare costs of strengthening now versus potential failure.
5. Budget Allocation: Prioritize based on severity and strategic importance.

This results in optimized fund utilization and improved transparency in road asset management.

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The Bigger Picture: Linking IRC 115 to National Infrastructure Goals

India’s expanding road network, Smart Cities program, and growing vehicle population demand sustainable infrastructure. Integrating IRC 115 into the planning process ensures roads are not just built—but built to last.

Moreover, aligning with this code ensures:

• Compliance with national and IRC standards
• Improved audit readiness
• Long-term savings through predictive maintenance

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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. How does RoadVision AI support IRC 115 assessments?

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RoadVision AI enables AI-powered pre-screening of surface distresses, helping engineers focus FWD-based structural evaluations where they’re needed most.

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Q2. What makes IRC Code 115 better than traditional evaluation methods?

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IRC 115 provides a scientific, measurable basis for structural assessment using FWD, unlike traditional visual inspections, which can miss subsurface issues.

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Q3. Can IRC 115 help reduce maintenance costs in rural road projects?

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Yes. With accurate deflection data, IRC 115 ensures rural roads receive only the necessary treatment, helping reduce overspending and prolonging road life.

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