Bituminous Mix Compaction and Topics

Field Inspection Purpose of compaction

Roller types and compaction procedures
By Factors affecting compaction
Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal Rolling joints
Associate Director Emeritus
National Center for Asphalt Technology
Mat inspection
Auburn University, Alabama USA Density measurement and specifications
pkandhal@gmail.com

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Steel Wheel Static Roller

Purpose of Compaction Roller Types (3-wheeled)
Increases density (structural strength) Static steel wheel
Reduces air voids (durability)
Pneumatic-tired
Increases stability (resistance to rutting)
Smoother surface (comfort to motorist) Vibratory

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Steel Wheel Roller (Tandem)

Pnuematic Tired Roller

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Pneumatic Tired Roller
Vibratory Roller

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Vibratory Roller Roller Dead Weight

Factors Affecting Vibratory
Compaction

Roller dead weight

Impact frequency
Impact amplitude

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Frequency of Impacts Amplitude of Impacts What Frequency and Amplitude to use?

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 Vibratory Roller Three Rolling Stages
Lift Frequency Amplitude Compaction Breakdown rolling (usually with
Thin Maximum Low vibratory roller)
Thick Maximum High
Procedures Intermediate rolling (usually with
pneumatic roller)
Finish rolling (tandem steel wheel)

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Mat must be rolled HOT

How many passes are required?
85 to 150 C (185 300 F)

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Factors Affecting Compaction

Layer or mat thickness
Air and base temperature
Mix lay down temperature
Wind velocity
Solar flux

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Finish rolling to be completed before mat
cools to 80 C

Rolling Transverse and

Longitudinal Joints

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Rolling Longitudinal Joint from Hot Side

Rolling Longitudinal Joint
(wheel about 150 mm on cold mat)

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Uniform Surface Texture

Acceptance Requirements
Inspection of Finished
Texture
Pavement Smoothness
Density

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 Testing for Smoothness
Density Tests

Nuclear Density Evaluation (suitable

for controlling mat density during
construction)
Core Density Evaluation (suitable for
acceptance purposes)

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Correlation of Core and Nuclear Density

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Compaction Specifications
Methods to Specify Mat Density Mix Design % of TMD % of % of In-Place
Air Voids Laboratory Test Strip Air Voids
Percent of control strip density 0 100 0
1 99 1
Percent of lab density
2 98 2
Compact samples in lab during construction for 3 97 3
reference density (this is used in Qatar when 4 96 100 4
using Marshall Mix Design) 5 95 99 5
Percent of theoretical maximum density (TMD) 6 94 98 6

Must measure TMD during construction; 7 93 97 100 7

indirectly it controls % voids in the compacted 8 92 96 99 8

91 98
mat 9 95 9
10 90 94 97 10

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Questions?
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