Never Guess Again   Roads & Bridges August 2004   By Steve Wilson, Contributing Author
Intelligent compaction making precision commonplace at the jobsite

Test Temp   Roads & Bridges August 2003   TransTech Systems Inc.
There was a need for manufacturers to find a more permanent solution to the tender zone problem. A couple of R&D-minded manufacturers jumped into the lead with equipment and instrumentation designed to get the job done faster.

Rolling a perfect score   Roads & Bridges August 2003   Steve Muench, Contributing Author
A group of researchers at the University of Washington are working on a first-generation 3-D hot-mix asphalt (HMA) compaction trainer called the Xpactor. The Xpactor works like a video game and allows users to operate a virtual HMA roller in a three-dimensional computer environment. The Xpactor can assist learning with any number of compaction issues including proper rolling patterns, longitudinal joint rolling and time available for compaction.

Cracking the compactor code   Roads & Bridges April 2003   Steve Wilson, Contributing Author
Selecting the right roller for a particular operation does not need to be confusing, nor does it need to involve a certified mathematician to calculate countless performance values. It simply requires understanding some of the basic specifications found on most manufacturers' product sheets, such as frequency, amplitude and centrifugal force, and having a general idea of how these all relate to one another. Additionally, there is another rarely published specification known as "output horsepower."

Clod Smashers   Roads & Bridges April 2003   Allen Zeyher
To lay good pavement, there has to be a good, compacted soil base that will support the level of traffic expected on the pavement and act as an effective barrier to water, which otherwise might erode the soil and collapse the road. How to achieve the desired level of compaction in soil is as complicated as the different types of soil.

New concepts spreading   Roads & Bridges August 2002

Compaction Rollers and Testing Equipment Work to Provide a Quality Road Surface   Roads & Bridges August 1998
Designed and used to compact material for any number of applications, compaction rollers densify material through the application of static force or dynamic force combined with static force. ROADS & BRIDGES will provide an overview on asphalt compactors and the different size and type of machines that are capable of handling a variety of applications. In addition to asphalt compactors, density gauges, gyratory compactors and other asphalt testing equipment will be reviewed.

A Material Engineer's Perspective: Field Compaction of Superpave Mixtures   Roads & Bridges February 1998   Michael K. Prather
Superpave has made many improvements to the durability of asphalt cement concrete pavements, however, as with any new system, allowances must be made for the unexpected changes.

Field Management Key to Superpave Compaction   Roads & Bridges February 1998   Charles W. Deahl
The Superpave mixes can be compacted productively; however, it is a learning process that involves good field management.

Compacting for Superpave Success   Roads & Bridges August 1997   James A. Scherocman, P.E.
A lot has been said about the Superpave binder specs and mix designs, but what about compaction of the mix once it's laid? Our two-part series addresses key issues.

Compacting Hot-Mix Asphalt Pavements: Part I   Roads & Bridges August 1996   James A. Scherocman, P.E.
Because the density of asphalt is the single most important variable that affects long-term durability it is important that proper attention is applied to compaction.

Onboard Compaction Meters Make Inroads into U.S. Market   Roads & Bridges August 1996   Lee Geistlinger
While demand for such units is greater in Europe, U.S. contractors interested productivity on large jobs are beginning to take a closer look at these high-tech tools.