Among all the processes within the realm of construction, none is more crucial than soil due to the vital role that compaction plays towards ensuring the constancy of a give surface area, the durability of the surface area and the overall stability of any structure erected on that surface. The task of soil compaction is generally under the purview of geotechnical engineers who use a range of methods to increase the density of soil towards enhancing the engineering properties of the soil.
Generally, these engineers target a certain level of compaction that must be achieved before the project is allowed to move forward. For instance, geotechnical engineers normally establish a 98% compaction target for commercial projects and an approximate compaction target of 95% for residential projects.
However, for road building projects, the target compaction rate is 100% which is critical towards the durability of the roads which in turn enhances the safety of road users.
The Process & the Role of Roller Compactors
Soil compaction in essence revolves around increasing or rather enhancing soil density (material density) by bringing the particles closer together which reduces the spaces between all the particles that are being compacted. Generally, compaction is achieved via the application of mechanical energy from roller compactors that contractors take for hire for a specific compaction stage in a project’s schedule.
Compaction of soil ultimately increases a targeted surface’s load-bearing capacity and stabilizes the ground as the compacted area would be more resistant to deformation and soil settlement rendering these surfaces suitable for supporting any type of structure that is built upon it.
Apart from the excavator which is often regarded by construction workers as the workhorse of the industry, roller hire machinery is often underrated despite the fact that roller compactors play one of the most crucial roles within the scope of any construction project. Although some heavy machines such as excavators are capable of compacting earth using hydraulic plate compactors, they are impractical for use when large areas require compaction.
Roller compactors come with heavy steel drums that roll over surfaces quicker and some of these roller compactors drums ‘vibrate’ which enhances the compaction process to achieve a standard 95% compaction target.
Most construction equipment rental companies often recommend vibratory roller compactors for hire for almost any kind of construction project due to the efficiency of these particular compactors that are capable of not just compacting large areas, but they also compact faster due to the fewer runs required to achieve compaction targets.
Overview of 95% Compaction Target
Within the sphere of geotechnical engineers, the term 95%, 98% or 100% compaction target refers to the required specifications for projects. It is a specific level of compaction that must be achieved during the compaction phase of the project before any foundation can be erected on these surfaces.
The scale of compaction that is generally presented as a percentage is based on the Laboratory Proctor Density test which is a method used to measure the maximum dry and optimum moisture content of the targeted compaction material.
