Scott Lidster of Australian Earth Training elaborates on the roller in soil compaction, a critical process in earthmoving operations, essential for creating stable foundations, roads, and infrastructure.
Following on from a healthy stint on a “banjo” (shovel), the roller was generally the launching pad for most operators.
Proper compaction ensures that soil particles are densely packed together, minimising settling and improving load-bearing capacity.
To achieve optimal results and maximise efficiency in soil compaction, there’s a process you must follow to get the ground you’re working harder than trying to decipher a Jo Biden sentence.
Understanding soil properties
Get down amongst it! Before beginning the compaction process, it’s crucial to assess the soil’s properties, including its moisture content, particle size distribution, and compaction characteristics. Different types of soil require different compaction methods, so understanding these properties is essential for selecting the appropriate compaction equipment and techniques.
Moisture management
This is critical. Proper moisture content is vital for effective compaction. Soil that is too dry will not compact well, while soil that is too wet will become muddy and difficult to work with. You need to constantly monitor soil moisture levels closely and adjust water content as needed to achieve the optimal moisture range for compaction.
Equipment selection
Get the right tool for the job. Choosing the right compaction equipment is key to achieving desired compaction results. “Sheep’s foot” rollers, smooth drum rollers, and pneumatic tire rollers are commonly used for soil compaction, each offering unique advantages depending on the soil type and project requirements.
- Sheep’s foot rollers: These are a type of compaction equipment used in soil compaction, featuring cylindrical drums studded with protrusions resembling the hooves of a sheep, hence the name. This design helps to break up rock, knead and compact cohesive soils effectively.
- Smooth drum rollers: These rollers have smooth steel drums and are ideal for compacting asphalt and fine-grained soils.
- Pneumatic tyre rollers: These rollers use rubber tires to apply pressure and knead the soil, making them suitable for compacting cohesive soils and finishing surfaces.
- Selecting the appropriate equipment size and configuration is essential for achieving uniform compaction across the entire surface area.
Proper technique
When compacting soil, it’s important to follow proper technique to ensure even compaction and avoid over compaction. Operators should make multiple passes over the soil surface, overlapping each pass slightly to ensure uniform compaction. It’s also important to vary the compaction direction to minimise the risk of soil layering and achieve consistent compaction throughout the depth of the soil.
Quality assurance
Obviously testing and monitoring are essential for ensuring compaction quality. That’s when the soil testers, aka ”dirt doctors”, join the chat. They perform field density tests, such as the sand cone or nuclear gauge test, to verify compaction levels to see what kind of compaction job you’ve done.
Righto, there you have it. By following these guidelines and utilising best practices in soil compaction, you can become a “top gun roller operator” and achieve optimal results, ensuring the long-term stability and durability of infrastructure projects across Australia.
Australian Earth Training: scott@australianearthtraining.com.au www.australianearthtraining.com.au