Intelligent compaction

GPS based compaction with vibratory rollers is finding its way onto building sites all over the world. Thanks to its ability to visualise the compaction process, what started out as an idea for providing users with an improved means of area-wide dynamic compaction monitoring has rapidly developed into a straightforward and effective method of process control. GPS based compaction links machine kinematics with job-integrated process measurement and control technology in the vibratory roller, thus establishing overall process control and monitoring.

GPS based compaction links machine kinematics with job-integrated process measurement and control technology in the vibratory roller, thus establishing overall process control and monitoring.

In road building, compaction machinery like vibratory rollers and single drum rollers aggregate the unbound (soil) and bound (asphalt) mixture. Mechanical compaction has the following objectives:

• Achievement of minimum air spaces for a given granulometry, so as to arrive at maximum density without damage to particles
• Through so doing, achieves a road with uniformly high rigidity
• Produce a structure that remains stable under subsequent traffic load

Vibratory rollers are the means of compaction currently in use worldwide. They are subject to country-specific requirements regarding the quality of compaction to be attained.

Reasons why compaction machinery and GPS technology combined represent a system technology:

• Surface compaction: machinery is mobile and requires several roller passes to complete the compaction process
• 2-D movement: hitting the same spot two times means getting a second pass on the same location
• Based on location and time, combined with compaction parameters such as material characteristics, surface temperatures, material rigidity, etc.
• The degree of compaction attained is crucial to the overall success of construction
• Compaction machinery as sensors: surface temperature, moisture measurement, determination of the degree of compaction
• Compaction machinery in general vibrates
• Vibration opens the possibility of job-integrated compaction measurement
• Machines can regulate their compaction power

GPS-based compaction control and guidance are supporting the roller operator in a simple and efficient way to achieve the optimal compaction result. The supervisor on the job site is getting enabled to maximize the productivity of all the compaction machines on a certain job site. Last but not least, the contractor maximizes the output of his resources.