00 Basic Principles of Asphalt Compaction
00 Basic Principles of Asphalt Compaction
Masthead BOMAG GmbH, Fayat Group, Germany, all rights reserved Publisher: BOMAG GmbH, Hellerwald, D-56154 Boppard Project management: Dipl. Ing. H.-J. Kloubert, BOMAG GmbH, Boppard www.bomag.com Publisher's notes: The publication in its entirety is protected by copyright . All details, data, results etc. contained in this book have been created by the project management to the best of knowledge and reviewed with greatest care. However, errors as to the contents can never be completely ruled out. The project management can therefore not assume liability for any possible incorrectness as to the contents of this book.
1. Edition 02/2009
Foreword
The asphalt layers of a road pavement should be able to reliably carry the traffic loads and to discharge these to the substructure or subbase, in order to prevent harmful deformation. This equally applies for load burdens resulting from weather and temperature stress. Besides the mix composition and the paving, the compaction of the mix is of utmost importance with respect to the quality and the service life of the road. On the construction site successful compaction mainly depends on the compaction technique, the knowledge and the experience of the roller driver. In this book we present an overview of compaction techniques and equipment. It contains explanations to the different rolling patterns and a number of basic rules and notes for successful compaction of rolled asphalt. The BOMAG Asphalt Compaction Handbook should serve as source of information for practicians involved in pavement construction and facilitate the use of compaction equipment in asphalt construction.
Table of contents
1. Basic principles of asphalt compaction ...............................2
1.1 Principles.........................................................2 1.2 Influence of the mix composition .....................3 1.3 Influence of the mix temperature.....................4
2. Compaction methods
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Initial compaction with the finisher ..................5 Static compaction............................................6 Vibratory compaction ......................................7 Controlled compaction with ASPHALT MANAGER8
3. Compaction equipment ......................9 3.1 Hand-guided compaction equipment - Tampers - Vibratory plates - Hand-guided tandem rollers ........................9 3.2 Light tandem rollers ......................................10 3.3 Combination rollers .......................................10 3.4 Pneumatic tired rollers ..................................10 3.5 Articulated tandem rollers .............................11 3.6 Pivot steered tandem rollers .........................12 3.7 Steering systems ..........................................12 4. Equipment characteristics of tandem and combination rollers ..15
4.1 Split and non-split drums...............................15 4.2 Sprinkling system ..........................................15 4.3 Speed level switch .........................................16 4.4 Edge compressing and cutting equipment ....17 4.5 Chip spreader ................................................19 4.6 ROPS - Roll Over Protection Structure .........20 4.7 Working light ..................................................20
9. Compaction and paving faults .......35 10.Basic rules for compaction work on asphalt mixes..................................37 11.Compaction measurement and documentation systems...................39 12. APPENDIX ..............................................43
A1 Road construction classes.......................43 A2 Mix types and layer thicknesses ..............43 A3 Asphalt base course ................................44 A4 Asphalt binder course ..............................44 A5 Asphalt wearing courses .........................45 - Asphalt concrete ......................................46 - Stone mastic asphalt ...............................48 A6 Combined surface-base-course construction .............................................50 A7 Bitumen types ..........................................50
pavement subbase
bearing capacity
subgrade/ embankment
Quality characteristics
Evenness Skid resistance Closed surface
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1.2 Inuence of the mix composition
The composition of asphalt mixes varies widely in dependence on the expected loads caused by traffic and weather. They therefore also have quite different compaction properties. The compactibility of the asphalt mix depends on the composition of minerals as well as the quality and viscosity of the bitumen and thus also on the temperature of the mix.
mix design
application lightly trafcked roads secondary roads local roads cycle ways parking areas
gravel
high stability high internal friction difcult to compact crushed aggregate high stone content high max. stone size high ller content low penetration bitumen
Low stability
High stability
Compaction effort
End of compaction
Mix temperature in C
2. Compaction methods
2.1 Initial compaction with the nisher
With a low pre-compaction by the finisher the use of a light roller to initially press down the mix is a very sensible decision, because too heavy roller may adversely affect the evenness of the layer and, depending on the stability of the hot mix, may cause undesired displacements and misplacements in the material. In such a case tandem vibratory rollers should drive the first two passes without vibration. High initial compaction by the finisher has a favourable effect on the evenness of the layer and, at the same time, enables an early start of compaction, while the mix temperatures are still high. This favourably supports the compaction effect of the rollers, and final compaction can be achieved with only a few roller passes.
Fig. 7 Laying and compacting with the BOMAG BF 600 P and the BOMAG BW 174 AD-AM
Gravel-sand
Application Surface treatment Initial compaction of sensitive asphalt layers Surface sealing on wearing courses
Contact pressure 0.20 - 0.80 MPa Compaction effect Ground contact and kneeding effect Important machine characteristics Wheel load Tire ination pressure
Sand
low Amplitude
high Amplitude
Compaction principle static pressure and dynamic energy key parameters static linear load vibrating mass amplitude frequency
Fig. 10 Vibratory compaction using tandem rollers with circular exciter system
The rolling speed should be 3 to 6 km/h. Too many passes with vibration can cause harmful loosening of material and disturbances in the structure.
K = low amplitude G = high amplitude Assumption: Compaction temperature > 100C 4t = Machine with one amplitude only 1 pass = 1 pass in forward or in reverse direction
7t
1-2 (K) 2-4 (K) 4-6 (K) 4-8 (K, G) 6-8 (G) 6-8 (G) 1-2 (K) + stat. pass 4-6 (K) + stat. pass
10t
1-2 (K) 2-4 (K) 2-4 (K) 4-6 (K, G) 4-6 (G) 4-8 (G) 1-2 (K) + stat. pass 4-6 (K) + stat. pass 1-2 (K) + stat. pass
Compaction effect Deadweight and dynamic energy, the compaction effect is automatically adapted to compactibility of material, layer thickness and subbase.
Gravel-sand
Universal use Higher compaction performance without the risk of grain destruction Uniform compaction by continuous adaptation of the compaction energy Better evenness and more uniform surface structure on asphalt layers Unproblematic behaviour of the roller when compacting along edges and joints Optimally suited for layers on bridges and in the vicinity of constructions that may be sensitive to vibrations (similar to oscillation) Equipped with compaction and temperature measuring facilities
3. Compaction equipment
3.1 Hand-guided compaction equipment Tamper
Tampers belong to the smallest compaction machines used on construction sites. They are used under confined spatial conditions, where larger compaction machines cannot be used. They are available in the weight class from 60 - 80 kg. Tampers are powered by modern 4-stroke gasoline engines or, more rarely, by diesel engines. The engine driven eccentric (crank drive) causes the fast vertical movement of the tamper foot.
Fig. 14 Tampers
Vibratory plates
Forward running and reversible vibratory plates are used for the compaction of small or confined asphalt surfaces. They are available in the weight range from 50 - 150 kg with working widths ranging from 45 to 60 cm. Vibratory plates are powered by gasoline or diesel engines. The exciter system (directed vibrator) is driven via V-belt and centrifugal clutch. The movement direction of reversible plates is achieved by adjusting the directed vibrator accordingly.
Both axles are equipped with 4 compactor wheels each; the wheels overlap (track offset) by approx. 40 mm).
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Fig. 24 Types of steering with pivot steering
Diagonal (left/right) Only front Only rear Synchronous steering (both drums) Automatically front or rear depending on travel direction
max. to 120 cm
Fig. 26 Crabwalk
On pivot steered rollers full advantage can be made of the large "crabwalk" (up to 120 mm):
The weight of the roller is distributed over a larger area; the roller does not sink in so deep. Unproblematic initial compaction of sensitive materials with high asphalt temperature Final "ironing" of large areas. The roller has a larger distance to the still instable edge of the asphalt layer.
Unproblematic steering away from curb stones Rational working with the edge compressing cone Avoids sharp-edged track marks from the drum edges in the asphalt surface
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14
Tandem rollers with an operating weight of 7 t and higher are available with split or non-split drums. The benefit of the split drum are the reduced shearing forces when compacting highly sensitive asphalt layers in curves (urban applications). The risk of the asphalt cracking in the area of the drum edges is considerably reduced.
4
BW 151 BW 170 non split drum BW 154 BW 174 split drum
Type of mix
Asphalt concrete Chip mastic asphalt -
Explanation:
Asphalt C ( 100 140 ) Asphalt C ( > 150) Permanent sprinkling
On tandem rollers the rolling and transport speeds of the machine are controlled with the travel lever, on pneumatic tired rollers with the throttle pedal Depending on the roller type, the desired final speed can be pre-set with a speed range switch, which particularly serves this purpose.
On pivot steered rollers the maximum travel speed can be pre-selected with a 24-stage switch. This speed is then reached when the travel lever is fully operated (in forward / reverse), which guarantees uniform compaction.
5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3
6 4
7 5
An analog speedometer is also available (optionally). On rollers with ASPHALT MANAGER the speed a digital display (BOP) shows the speed as standard.
8 9 6 7 8 10 11 12 13
mph km/h
The special shape of the tapered roller enables the roller driver to compact right against lateral limitations (e.g. walls of buildings). Since this usually only possible with light tandem rollers, the conical roll is only intended for tandem rollers with a weight of < 4 t.
Working with compressing roller or cutting wheel requires some experience. The attached tools can generally be conveniently operated from the operator's stand. For this purpose the machine is equipped with a hydraulic pressing system. Depending on the application it may be necessary to readjust the final stop for the swivel arm (roller position below drum). Tandem rollers can also be equipped with two compressing rollers (front right and rear left).
Inclination1:1 45 Inclination 2:1 approx. 60
Fig. 39 The compressing roller produces a slanted and smooth layer edge
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Fig. 41 BW 120 with attachment spreader BS 100 and foldable roll over protection structure
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20
AM
+ + + + 0 - 0,95** 40-50 150-250
AM = ASPHALT MANAGER
**effective amplitude
mm km/h kW
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6. Compaction performance
The area or volumetric output of the laying and compaction equipment is interdependent. These two outputs must therefore be exactly planned and calculated in mutual dependence. The area output depends on the laying width, the working speed and the utilization factor of the finisher. The quantitative output results from the amount of mix and the area output of the finisher. The area output or volumetric output of the compaction machines is influenced by the available rolling time as well as the number, operating mode, rolling speed and rolling width of the machines. The combination of compaction equipment to be used must follow the objectives of a number of influential factors and various quality criteria, such as e.g. adequate compaction, even surface with closed pores, internal bonding of layers, compaction of joints.
Fig. 47 Laying and compacting an asphalt layer using three nishers and ve vibratory rollers (10t). Laying width > 10m; daily output > 3.000t.
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The following formula is used to calculate the practical rolled area output F and the quantitative output M of a roller:
F=
Meaning:
f beff v 1000 n
(m2/h)
F = Area output by rolling (m2/h) f = Reduction factor (0.75) beff = Effective rolling width (m) (90% of drum width because of overlapping) v = Mean rolling speed (km/h) n = Number of passes
M=
Meaning:
f beff v h A 1000 n
(t/h)
M = Volumetric output (t/h) f = Reduction factor (0.75) beff = Effective rolling width (m) (90% of drum width because of overlapping) v = Mean rolling speed (km/h) h = Layer thickness of material to be compacted (m) A = Density of mix to be compacted (t/m3) (A 2,4 - 2,5 t / m3) n = Number of passes
The following average speeds are recommended: 4 to 6 km/h for initial compression 3 to 5 km/h for main compaction 3 to 5 km/h for main compaction 6 to 8 km/h for subsequent rolling (ironing) 4 to 8 km/h for main compaction 10 to 12 km/h for subsequent rolling (statically with tandem rollers) (statically with tandem rollers) (Vibration) (statically with tandem rollers) (Pneumatic tired roller) (Pneumatic tired roller)
Machine type
Operating weight t 1,5-2,5 3,0-4,5 7-9 10-14 1,5-2,5* 3,0-4,5* 7-10* 2-4 cm 250-450 400-800 600-1500 1000-2200 250-450 400-800 600-1500
Area output (m2/h) with layer thickness 6-8 cm 200-350 250-600 500-900 800-1200 200-300 250-500 500-800
*Combination roller
Volumetric output (t/h) with layer thickness 6-8 cm 10-14 cm 25-60 40-100 40-90 70-160 70-160 120-220 100-200 180-280 20-55 35-90 35-80 65-140 60-170 90-200 *Combination roller
Fig. 51 BW 203 AD on a 16cm asphalt bearing course with a compaction performance of 250 t/h
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26
8. Rolling pattern
8.1 Compacting when paving with one nisher
Depending on the paving width of the finisher one or several rollers will be used side by side. The respective rolled tracks should overlap by at least 15 cm, to make sure that no uncompacted strips are left out. The same number of passes should be rolled on each track to ensure even compaction over the entire paving width.