Assessing Soil Compaction Using Continuous Compaction Control
and Location-Specific In Situ Tests
Christopher L. Meehan1; Daniel V. Cacciola2; Faraz S. Tehrani3; William J. Baker III4
1Bentley Systems Incorporated Chair of Civil Engineering & Associate Professor, University of Delaware, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
301 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.A.
E-mail:
cmeehan@udel.edu (corresponding author)
2Geotechnical Designer, Gannett Fleming, Inc., 1000 Atrium Way, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, U.S.A. Former Graduate Student, University of Delaware, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 301 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.A.
E-mail:
dcacciola@gfnet.com
3Research Scientist, Deltares, Rotterdamseweg 185, 2629 HD Delft, NL. Former Graduate Student, University of Delaware, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 301 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.A.
E-mail:
faraz.tehrani@deltares.nl
4Graduate Student, University of Delaware, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 301 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, U.S.A.
E-mail:
bakerwil@udel.edu
Automation in Construction, 2017, Volume 73,
pp. 31-44
Abstract
Modern compaction equipment can be outfitted with sensors that allow for real-time monitoring of the
compaction process, an approach that is commonly referred to as continuous compaction control (CCC). This
paper describes the results from an experimental research study that was conducted to assess the effectiveness
of CCC technology for construction of a roadway embankment using a sand containing a significant percentage of
silty fines. During embankment construction, simultaneous machine drive power (MDP) and compactometer
value (CMV) measurements were recorded, along with the corresponding position of the roller. Location-specific
in situ “spot tests” were also performed to independently assess soil compaction, including nuclear density gauge
(NDG) tests, soil stiffness gauge (SSG) tests, light weight deflectometer (LWD) tests, and dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) tests. A comparison of the CCC measurements with the location-specific in situ test results
was performed using spatial data analysis tools and statistical regression. The measured data, spatial and
regression analysis approaches, and associated discussion that are presented provide valuable information for
researchers and practitioners that are considering the use of CCC technology.
Keywords
Soil compaction;
Continuous compaction control; Intelligent compaction;
Earthwork;
Machine drive power;
Compactometer value;
In situ tests;
Quality control;
Quality assurance
Reference
Meehan, C. L., Cacciola, D. V., Tehrani, F. S., and Baker, W. J. (2017). “Assessing Soil Compaction Using Continuous Compaction Control and Location-Specific In Situ Tests.” Automation in Construction, Elsevier, 73, 31-44. (doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2016.08.017)
