Analysis and Design of Bituminous Pavements | Civil Engineering Course
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 145 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Civil Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Analysis and Design of Bituminous Pavements: A Comprehensive Guide for Engineers
With over 90% of India's highway network relying on bituminous materials, mastering the analysis and design of these pavements is a critical skill for civil engineers. This detailed 12-week postgraduate course, developed and delivered by leading academic experts, provides an in-depth exploration of the principles, methodologies, and practical tools essential for modern pavement engineering.
Course Overview and Learning Objectives
This self-contained course is structured to take students and practicing engineers from fundamental concepts to advanced applications. It begins with an overview of pavement distress and cross-sections, then delves deep into layered elastic theory for stress-strain analysis. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of traffic characterization, material behavior under varying climates, and established design methods like AASHTO and IRC37. A key outcome is hands-on proficiency with industry-standard software such as IITPAVE and Kenlayer for practical design and analysis.
Meet Your Expert Instructors
The course is taught by a distinguished panel of professors, each bringing extensive research and practical expertise to the curriculum.
| Instructor | Affiliation | Expertise & Background |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. M. R. Nivitha (MRN) | PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore | Ph.D. from IIT Madras (2016). Research focuses on rheology, microstructure, and aging of bitumen. |
| Prof. Neethu Roy (NR) | Mar Baselios College of Engg. & Tech., Kerala | Ph.D. from IIT Madras (2013). Expertise in rutting/fatigue of mixtures, pavement design, and management systems. |
| Prof. A. Padmarekha (APR) | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Ph.D. from IIT Madras (2013). Research interests include rheology, aging, and bituminous pavement design. |
| Prof. J. Murali Krishnan (JMK) | IIT Madras | Ph.D. from IIT Madras, with post-doctoral experience at Texas A&M and over six years of industry experience as a pavement engineer. |
Who Should Enroll?
This course is meticulously designed for:
- Graduate students specializing in Transportation or Highway Engineering.
- Practicing Highway Engineers seeking to update their knowledge with current codes and software tools.
- Engineering professionals in State/Central Highways Departments, PWD, MoRTH, and NHAI.
Prerequisite: While the course is self-contained, familiarity with basic civil engineering concepts or bituminous pavement construction is beneficial.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
Weeks 1-3: Fundamentals of Pavement Analysis
The course opens with an introduction to pavement cross-sections, layer functions, and key distress modes like rutting and fatigue. It then progresses to the core of mechanical analysis, covering single-layer stress-strain using Boussinesq's theory and advancing to multi-layered elastic analysis with practical numerical examples.
Weeks 4-5: Traffic Characterization for Design
A critical component of pavement design is accurately modeling traffic loads. These weeks cover traffic volume, growth rates, axle load surveys, and the calculation of Equivalent Single Axle Loads (ESALs) to determine design traffic repetitions.
Weeks 6-7: Material Properties and Environmental Effects
Here, the focus shifts to characterizing subgrade soils, granular materials, and bituminous mixes. The influence of climate variation on material performance is also examined, highlighting how temperature and moisture impact pavement life.
Weeks 8-9: Pavement Design Methodologies
This segment introduces the AASHTO 1993 design method, concepts of reliability in design, and the development of distress transfer functions for predicting rutting and fatigue cracking based on calculated stresses and strains.
Weeks 10-12: Practical Application and Software Tools
The final weeks are dedicated to practical implementation. Participants will learn to use the IRC37:2018 guidelines, work with IITPAVE software for complete pavement design, and utilize Kenlayer software for detailed stress-strain analysis in layered systems, culminating in design projects.
Essential Learning Resources
- Yang Huang, Pavement Analysis and Design, Pearson, 2004.
- IRC37:2018, Guidelines for the Design of Flexible Pavements, Indian Roads Congress.
This course offers a unique blend of theoretical rigor and practical application, equipping the next generation of highway engineers with the knowledge and tools needed to design durable, efficient, and sustainable bituminous pavements for India's growing infrastructure.
Enroll Now →