Due to a high degree of damages and undesirable final results of bonded overlays, research has been conducted to develop recommendations on design and execution. Laboratory and half scale tests as well as theoretical analyses have been carried out including e. g. base and end restraint tests on overlays with various reinforcement, concrete qualities, substrate preparing and curing. Also, analytical and numerical calculations have been performed. Results reveal that the bond between overlay and substrate is the most critical parameter for a successful final result. Other key parameters are shrinkage and curing, while fibre and bar reinforcement generally proved to be less significant. Theoretical models work well on this case and will be further developed