EARTH COMPACTION TECHNIQUES

(VIBRATING ROLLERS, SMOOTH WHEELED ROLLERS)

Earth Compaction Techniques

(dead weight rollers,vibrating roller,smooth wheeled roller)

Objectives of compaction
Compaction can be applied to improve the properties of an existing soil or in the process
of placing fill. The main objectives are to:

increase shear strength and therefore bearing capacity

increase stiffness and therefore reduce future settlement

decrease voids ratio and so permeability, thus reducing potential frost heave

Factors affecting compaction

A number of factors will affect the degree of compaction that can be achieved:

Nature and type of soil, i.e. sand or clay, grading, plasticity

Water content at the time of compaction

Site conditions, e.g. weather, type of site, layer thickness

Compactive effort: type of plant (weight, vibration, number of passes)

Road Roller
A road roller (sometimes called a roller-compactor, or just roller) is
a compactor type engineering vehicle used to compact soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt in
the construction of roads and foundations, similar rollers are used also at landfills or in
agriculture.
In some parts of the world, road rollers are still known colloquially as steam rollers,
regardless of their method of propulsion. This typically only applies to the largest examples
(used for road-making)

The first road rollers were horse-drawn, and were probably just borrowed farm
implements (see roller (agricultural tool)).
Since the effectiveness of a roller depends to a large extent on its weight, self-powered
vehicles replaced horse-drawn rollers from the mid-19th century. The first such vehicles
were steam rollers. Single-cylinder steam rollers were generally used for base compaction
and run with high engine revs in a low gear to promote bounce and vibration from the
crankshaft through to the rolls in much the same way as a vibrating roller. The double
cylinder or compound steam rollers became popular from around 1910 onwards and were
used mainly for the rolling of hot-laid surfaces due to their smoother running engines,
however both cylinder types are capable of rolling the finished surface. Steam rollers were
often dedicated to a task by their gearing as the slower engines were for base compaction
whereas the higher geared models were often referred to as 'chip chasers' which followed
behind the hot tar and chipping laying machines. Some road companies in the United
States used steamrollers through the 1950s, and in the UK, some remained in commercial
service until the early 1970s.
As internal combustion engine technology improved during the 20th
century, kerosene-, gasoline- (petrol), and diesel-powered rollers gradually replaced
their steam-powered counterparts. The first internal-combustion powered road rollers were
very similar to the steam rollers they replaced. They used similar mechanisms to transmit
power from the engine to the wheels, typically large, exposed spur gears. Some users did
not like them in their infancy, as the engines of the era were typically difficult to start,
particularly the kerosene-powered ones.
Virtually all road rollers in commercial use now use diesel power.

Uses on a road: Start-to-finish

Road rollers use the weight of the vehicle to compress the surface being rolled (static) or
use mechanical advantage (vibrating). Initial compaction of the substrate on a road project
is done using a padfoot drum roller, which achieves higher compaction density due to the
pads having less surface area. On large freeways a four wheel compactor with padfoot
drum and a blade, such as a Caterpillar 815/825 series machine, would be used due to its
high weight, speed and the powerful pushing force to spread bulk material. On regional
roads a smaller single padfoot drum machine may be used. The next machine is usually a
single smooth drum compactor that compacts the high spots down until the soil is smooth,
and this is usually done in combination with a motor grader to get a level surface.
Sometimes at this stage a pneumatic tyre roller would be used. These rollers feature two
rows (front and back) of pneumatic tyres that overlap, and the flexibility of the tyres
provides a kneading action that seals the surface and with some vertical movement of the

wheels, enables the roller to operate effectively on uneven ground. Once the soil base is
flat the pad drum compactor is no longer used on the road surface. The next course (road
base) would be compacted using a smooth single drum, smooth tandem roller or
pneumatic tyre roller in combination with a grader, and a water truck to achieve the desired
flat surface with the right moisture content for optimum compaction. Once the road base is
compacted, the smooth single drum compactor is no longer used on the road surface
(There is however an exception, if the single drum has special flat-wide-base tyres on the
machine). The final wear course of asphalt concrete (a.k.a. asphalt or blacktop in North
America, or macadam in England) is laid using a paver and compacted using a tandem
smooth drum roller, a three-point roller or a pneumatic tyre roller. Three point rollers on
asphalt were very common once and are still used, but tandem vibrating rollers are the
usual choice now, with the pneumatic tyre roller's kneading action being the last roller to
seal off the surface.
Rollers are also used in landfill compaction. Such compactors typically have padfoot or
"sheep's-foot" drums, and do not achieve a smooth surface. The pads aid in compression,
due to the smaller area contacting the ground.

Configurations
The roller can be a simple drum with a handle that is operated by one person, and weighs
100 pounds, or as large as a ride-on road roller weighing 21 short tons (44,000 lb or
20 tonnes) and costing more than US$150,000. A landfill unit may weigh 59 short tons (54
tonnes).

Roller types
Pedestrian operated

Rammer (bounce up and down)

Walk-behind plate compactor/light

Walk-behind plate compactor/heavy (with reverse)

Trench roller (manual unit or radio-frequency remote control)

Walk-behind roller/light (single drum)

Walk-behind roller/heavy (double drum)

Ride-on smooth finish

Tandem drum (static)

Tandem drum (vibrating)

Single drum roller (smooth)

Pneumatic-tyre, a.k.a. rubber tyre or multi-wheel

Combination roller (single row of tyres and a steel drum)


Three point roller (steam rollers are usually three-point)
Ride-on soil/landfill compactor with pads/feet/spikes

Single drum roller (soil)

4-wheel (soil/landfill)

3-point (soil/landfill)

Tandem drum (soil/landfill)

Other

Tractor-mounted and tractor-powered (conversion see gallery picture below)

Drawn rollers or towed rollers (were very common once, but not so now)

Impact compactor (uses a square or polygon drum to strike the ground hard for
proof rolling or deep lift compacting)

Drum roller with rubber coated drum for asphalt compaction

Log skidder converted to compactor for landfill

Wheel loader converted to compactor for landfill

Vibrating roller
Vibrating roller cutting-edge compaction technology and outstanding
productivity
Vibrating rollers are used extensively in both construction and maintenance works for
theconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, maintenance of gravel roads and
shoulder,construction of footpaths, and other construction works requiring compacted material
bases. Ithas been considered that this method is the most cost effective method of
compaction for thematerial within the city. Council has other means of compaction, ie multityred rollers, formaterial considered to be suitable for this form of compaction.
It is generally acknowledged that vibrations from vibrating rollers potentially cause discomfort
to people in a building. However, there are no limits currently imposed on such vibrations.
Some overseas standards have evaluated the level of human comfort when exposed to
vibrations in buildings eg BS6472:1984. In general, vibration levels which cause discomfort to
people will not usually result in damage to buildings in reasonable condition.
SAFETY DISTANCES FOR VIBRATORY ROLLERS

Towed and self-propelled vibratory rollers with pneumatic drive wheels

Normally with large amplitude (used on soil)
Safety distance in metres = 1.5 x drum module weight

Vibratory tandem rollers

Normally with small to medium amplitude (used on soil and asphalt)
Safety distance in metres = 1.0 x drum module weight.
Drum Module Weight = Static weight of drum plus frame weight transmitted to
the drum

OPERATING THE VIBRATORY ROLLER

Block off work area from bystanders, livestock, etc.

Operate only from the operators station.
Do not lift loads in excess of the capacity of the prime mover.
When operating on slopes, drive up and down, not across. Avoid steep hillside
operation, which could cause the prime mover to overturn.
Reduce speed when driving over rough terrain, on a slope, or turning, to avoid
overturning the vehicle.
An operator must not use drugs or alcohol, which can change his or her alertness or
coordination. An operator taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs
should seek medical advice on whether or not he or she can safely operate equipment.
Before exiting the prime mover, lower the attachment to the ground, turn off the
prime movers engine, remove the key and apply the brakes.

TRANSPORTING THE VIBRATORY ROLLER

Travel only with the attachment in a safe transport position to prevent uncontrolled movement.
Drive slowly over rough ground and on slopes.
When driving on public roads use safety lights, reflectors, Slow Moving Vehicle
signs etc., to prevent accidents. Check local government regulations that may
affect you.
Do not drive close to ditches, excavations, etc., cave in could result.
Do not smoke when refueling the prime mover. Allow room in the gas tank for
expansion. Wipe up any spilled fuel. Secure cap tightly when done.

MAINTAINING THE VIBRATORY ROLLER

Before performing maintenance, lower the attachment to the ground, turn off the engine, remove
the key and apply the brakes.
Never perform any work on the attachment unless you are authorized and qualified to do so.
Always read the operator service manuals before any repair is made. After completing
maintenance or repair, check for correct functioning of the attachment. If not functioning
properly, always tag DO NOT OPERATE until all problems are corrected.
Worn, damaged, or illegible safety decals must be replaced.
Never make hydraulic repairs while the system is under pressure. Serious personal injury or
death could result.
Never work under a raised attachment.

Smooth Roller Wheeled

Smooth Wheel Rollers or Smooth Drum Rollers are suitable for thin layers, and for
finishing operations.

Self-propelled or towed steel rollers ranging from 2 - 20 tonnes

Suitable for: well-graded sands and gravels

silts and clays of low plasticity

Unsuitable for: uniform sands; silty sands; soft clays

"The top surface of the completed soil liner must be proof rolled with a smooth-wheel
roller prior to final liner thickness surveying before placement of a geomembrane liner."
Smooth-Drum Vibratory Roller
The smooth-drum vibratory roller uses a vibratory action in conjunction with the ballast

weight of the drum to rearrange the soil particles into a dense soil mass. Vibratory
compaction, when properly controlled, can be one of the most effective and economical
means of attaining the desired density for cohesionless materials. This roller is very
effective in compacting noncohesive/nonplastic sands and gravels, which are often used
in subbase and base-course applications. Because this roller is relatively light, the
recommended maximum loose-lift depth (the fill material measured before compaction) is
9 inches.