Researchers have created new “intelligent compaction” technology, which integrates with a road roller and can monitor in real-time the quality of road base compaction. Improved road construction may minimise potholes and maintenance costs, and lead to safer, more robust roadways.
Months of excessive rain and floods have underlined the significance of road conditions, with poor construction contributing to potholes and road subsidence. This not only causes tyre blowouts and structural damage to vehicles and trucks but also raises the probability of major accidents.
The novel machine-learning technology, which interprets data from a sensor mounted to a construction roller, was created by a research team from the University of Technology Sydney. The research was directed by Associate Professor Behzad Fatahi, head of geotechnical and transport engineering, collaborating with Professor Hadi Kahbbaz, Dr Di Wu and PhD student Zhengheng Xu.
“We have built a sophisticated computer model that includes machine learning and large data from construction sites to forecast the stiffness of compacted soil with a high degree of accuracy in a fraction of a second, so roller operators may make modifications,” stated Associate Professor Fatahi.
Roads are made up of three or more layers, which are rolled and compacted. The subgrade layer is normally earth, followed by natural materials such as crushed rock, and then asphalt or concrete on top. The changing nature of soil and moisture conditions might result in under or over-compacted material.
“Like Goldilocks, the compaction has to be ‘just right to create the necessary structural integrity and strength. Over-compaction may break down the material and modify its composition, while under-compaction can lead to uneven settling,” stated Associate Professor Fatahi.
“A well-compacted multi-layer road base offers a sturdy foundation and boosts the ability of a road to carry severe loads. Trucks may weigh up to 40 tonnes, therefore a low-quality foundation can rapidly lead to fractures and weak places in the asphalt surface.”
The study, recently published in Engineering Structures, says the implementation of this technique might help design longer-lasting roadways that can better survive harsh weather conditions.
The team is currently planning to test the new technology onsite for varied ground and roller conditions for road, railway and dam building projects, and study approaches to assess the density and moisture content of the compacted soil in real time during construction.
