SPR 2013: Evaluation of Intelligent Compaction

The objective of this project is to evaluate the use of intelligent compaction on soils and asphalt pavements and help prepare the Cabinet for the use of the technology in Kentucky. The primary tasks of the project are to: 1) Conduct a literature search and review of current standard practices, specifications and the technology associated with intelligent compaction; 2) Schedule equipment demonstrations of various equipment vendors; 3) Select pilot projects to exhibit the technology and evaluate its performance; and 4) Assist the Cabinet in developing a specification for the technology for its use in Kentucky. Intelligent compaction was developed in Europe in the 1970’s and is gaining interest in the United States as an alternative quality control method to traditional compaction monitoring practices. In Kentucky, soil or asphalt pavement compaction is measured at random locations over a given area or length of a test section and adjustments are made accordingly to achieve a specified level of compaction. This method gives a general representation about the level of compaction for a given test section. The idea behind intelligent compaction is to provide a real-time readout of the level of compaction so adjustments can be made on-the-fly to achieve a specified compaction throughout a projects length.