Implementation of Intelligent Compaction for Pavement Construction in Vermont

Intelligent Compaction (IC) is an innovative technology that has the potential to overcome problems encountered in conventional compaction techniques. IC uses rollers equipped with accelerometers, highly accurate global positioning system (GPS), onboard computer, and infrared thermometers. The use of IC rollers (1) increases the compaction uniformity; (2) provides a system wide (i.e. global) stiffness-based inspection practice; (3) allows for real-time monitoring, identification of weak areas, and making informed decisions on proper course of action during compaction; (4) optimizes construction time; (5) generates IC base map and enables maintaining construction records; and (6) leads to potential savings in maintenance costs and extended service life [NCHRP report 676; FHWA-HIF-13-051]. The PI has recently completed a study funded by Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) on suitability of IC for Vermont projects, synthesizing the available information in the literature on the use of IC technology in several states. Although IC has shown significant promise for earthwork and asphalt pavement construction projects over the past few years, most IC-related research and case studies are available for large-scale projects, and local case studies on the use of IC would be needed to gain confidence and experience in the technology. In addition to the need for developing robust quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) specifications for IC implementation in Vermont projects, the improvements in pavement performance needs to be evaluated. The proposed project aims at implementing IC in a few field test sections in Vermont to (1) address some of the aforementioned issues; (2) advance the Agency’s portfolio on IC; (3) provide a framework to incentivize contractors to use IC as a QC tool to improve the end product, which in turn helps the Agency to achieve its goal of better serving the public.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $126554
• Contract Numbers:

  VTRC017-002

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Vermont Agency of Transportation

  219 North Main Street
  Barre, VT  United States  05641
• Start Date: 20180101
• Expected Completion Date: 20191231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compaction; Field tests; Literature reviews; Paving; Quality control
• Geographic Terms: Vermont
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Pavements; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01721308
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Vermont Agency of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: VTRC017-002
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 31 2019 3:52PM