Christopher Wanamaker

Intelligent Compaction of Soils and Subbase Materials Christopher Wanamaker

The key to constructing any high performing pavement system is having a strong, well-compacted base that can support the loads being placed on it. Proper compaction of base and subbase materials is probably the single most important thing that can be done to improve the soil's bearing capacity thus ensuring a stable and long-lasting final product. Traditionally, compaction of soils and subbase materials has been mostly achieved using heavy rollers. Uniformity of compaction is often the goal however it is rarely achieved. Problem areas of low-quality compaction can exist within a project site that can lead to premature structural failure.

The goal of intelligent compaction is to address the quality control gaps in the current practice to improve overall product quality, uniformity, and consistency. Furthermore, intelligent compaction serves to provide a means to consistently and instantaneously provide the project manager, agency, and contractor with compaction information all throughout the entire construction process.

In this short book, Professional Engineer Christopher Wanamaker gives a brief history of intelligent compaction and then offers a discussion of several manufacturers' approach to this new approach to constructing roadways. Find out the theory behind how this technology works and read about two case studies in which intelligent compaction was utilized on a construction site. Finally, the author discusses the limitations of intelligent compaction what advances are still needed to help make this the technology of choice for future roadway construction projects.tion what advances are still needed to help make this the technology of choice for future roadway construction projects.