Soil compactor provides strong foundation and crucial support for building wide variety of structures.

Soil compaction is a very important step in road construction. After excavation or digging and clearing of the dirt, soil compactor’s role is to compress the soil for proper densification and remove the air gaps. Soil compactors are versatile machines that can efficiently compact varying soils and aggregates in applications such as highways, utilities, water retention structures, as well as in the preparation of large residential, commercial and industrial sites in Indian geographical conditions.

Objective of soil compactors
CASE India offers two soil compactors 1107 EX and 1110 EX in its soil compactor range. Making the machine technologically advanced, the company also offers compaction meter technology for better mechanics. The ‘intelligent’ inbuilt technology is equipped with on-screen operator which is used to check amplitude, frequency and ICV (intelligence compaction value) related to density of soil compacted. The ICV value is different for different surfaces. It performs compaction and checks for the desired density to be achieved. Once desired density is achieved, it indicates through green signal on the screen so that operator can stop compaction and avoid over compaction. Thus, it helps in saving fuel, time and protects any damage of surface, says Ajay Aneja, Brand Leader, CASE India.
Soil compactor is used for compaction of the embankment, sub-bases, WMM etc. In places, which witness heavy rainfall, the compaction is even more crucial. A poorly compacted base can get washed away. “In Indian conditions, the soil conditions vary in different geographies. To keep the cost of construction low, locally available soil is used in the embankments. Soil compactors used during the road construction help in achieving the required density. The soil compactors help in completing the compaction in the fastest possible way. Prior to the advent of the soil compactors, natural weathering settled the embankment which would take a longer time. With pace of road construction picking up and projects required to be completed in some cases within 18 months, equipments are needed which help expedite the construction. Soil compactors help in completing the compaction in the shortest possible time,” says Vivek Hajela, General Manager and Head – Construction and Mining Machinery Business, Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

Volvo CE’s soil compactors are equipped with smooth drum and responsive controls which deliver exacting finishing work which means the machines need to make fewer passes. These factors contribute to a faster construction timeline. According to Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President and Head of Volvo CE India, “Volvo machines are some of the most fuel-efficient on the market. In some instances, our machines can offer fuel savings of up to 10 per cent when compared with alternatives, which can result in significant cost savings.”

Volvo’s versatile and intelligent machines help the operator to achieve as high a level of performance and efficiency as possible, whatever the demands of the job. Volvo’s advanced drum control system, for example, allows the operator – via an easy-to-use console – to adjust the frequency and amplitude, compensating for changing soil types and conditions. Two frequency settings come as standard but five can be included as an option. High or low amplitude can be selected to adjust the drum’s dynamic force based on the job and material depth. Meanwhile, the optimised centrifugal force and auto-vibration feature also improve performance, ease of operation and productivity. The traction system provides excellent climbing and traction capabilities in difficult applications, such as steep inclines or slippery surfaces, preventing wheel or drum spin for excellent gradeability, performance and productivity.

The role of soil compactors is to build the necessary flat base which provides strong foundation and crucial support for buildings, roads, pavements and various other construction structures. “During the construction process, the soil is often disturbed by different construction processes such as excavating, grading or trenching. As a result, air and/or water are introduced to the soil mass and increases in volume. To establish strong foundation and construction of a structure, these air voids and water particles must be removed. The process of compaction removes air voids which increases soil’s sheer strength and provides it greater stability,” says Sunil Tiku, Head – Marketing and Product Support – Earth Moving Equipment Division, Action Construction Equipment Ltd.

Soil compact is an elementary function which serves numerable purpose at construction site for exclusive outcome. First and foremost it increase the level of load bearing ability to stabilise the soil components, then it decreases swelling contraction and led to soil settlement. Most exclusive function of vibratory soil compactor is to prevent soil from frost damage. “G R Infraprojects soil compactors are equipped with highly durable, fuel efficient engine and world class hydraulics.The trouble free performance of the hydraulic system and desirable performance of the engines improves the overall performance of the machine and which thereby increases the quality and profitability of the projects being constructed. G R Infra’s experienced engineers recommends the required soil compactors based on the job site requirement at the various locations. Different equipment needs to be used for rocky soils, wetsoil, sandy soil etc, says Ratan Lal Kashyap, Sr. Vice President –Procurement, G R Infraprojects Ltd.

Types of rollers used in compaction of soil
Volvo CE offers both soil compactors and asphalt compactors in India. The company’s most popular soil compactor here is the SD110BA, which has an 11,125 kg operating weight and a drum width of 2,134 mm. It’s a powerful and versatile unit that is suited to a lot of projects in India. Operators are able to easily adjust the drum vibration frequency to cater to changing soil types and conditions. The unit also has balanced weight at the drum and tires, for better traction.

“From the large asphalt range of compactors, our DD90B is our most popular in India. It has an 8,550 kg operating weight and a 1,675 mm drum width. It helps road contractors get the job done in the fewest number of passes, boosting productivity. It is easy to switch between settings, so the operator can adjust the machine’s performance to suit conditions,” says Krishnan.

“In addition to soil compactors, contractors do use PTR for compaction of sub-bases. Though the PTRs are primarily used for sealing of the bitumen surfaces, at many sites where the machine is available it is used for compaction of the base layers. The PTR machines compacts due to dead weight of the machine,” says Hajela. Tandem compactors with machined drum are used for compaction of dense bituminous macadam (DBM). Mini tandem compactors with a drum width of 1.2 metre is used in compaction of shoulders and also deployed in confined areas like building basement, garden landscaping etc.

According to Tiku, depending upon the project requirement and soil variety there are three different types of soil compactors used for compaction of soil;drum drive, pad drive and standard.

Vibratory soil compactors: They are used to compact loose soil, primarily used for roads and highway construction. These machines are also used for ground compaction or stabilisation at the construction sites. ACE manufactures high quality vibratory compactors in the capacity range of 10-12 tonnes in all three variants as mentioned above.
Tandem rollers: They are used for compaction of asphalt; concrete in the 2ndphase after the 1stlayer of soil is compacted and prepared for the road foundation. ACE manufactures high quality vibratory tandem rollers in the capacity range of 3.5-9 tonnes.
Pneumatic tyre roller: These rollers are used for the final finishing of the top layer to smoothen, bring density and stiffness to the concrete compaction.

According to Kashyap, the soil compaction can be divided into two groups such as light soil compacting equipment and heavy soil compacting equipment. Light soil compacting equipment is used for soil compacting of small areas only and where the compacting effort needed is less. Rammers, vibrating plate compactors, vibrotampers and vitro rollers are the different types of light soil compaction equipment.Heavy soil compacting equipment is used for large areas for use on different types of soils. The heavy compaction equipment is selected based on moisture content of soil and types of soil. Smooth wheeled rollers are of two types; static smooth wheeled rollers and vibrating smooth wheeled rollers. Sheepsfoot roller is used for compacting fine grained soils such as heavy clays and silty clays. Sheepsfoot rollers are used for compaction of soils in dams, embankments, sub-grade layers in pavements and rail road construction projects. Pneumatic tyred rollers are used in pavement sub-grade works both earthwork and bituminous works. Grid rollers are used for compaction of weathered rocks, well graded coarse soils. These rollers are not suitable for clayey soils, silty clays and uniform soils. The main uses of these rollers are in sub-grade and sub-base in road constructions. Pad foot or tamping rollers are best suitable for compacting cohesive soils. These rollers operate at high speeds and are capable to breaking large lumps. These rollers also consist of levelling blades to spread the material.

Features
According to Krishnan, there are many features on each Volvo compactor which help them deliver more productivity and efficiency for road projects. For example, in addition to optimising power and productivity, the Volvo SD110BA is designed to achieve high-quality compaction and a flawless mat finish. Utilising infinite frequency choices and dual amplitudes, the versatile machine gives operators the flexibility to modify the drum’s dynamic force according to material depth and type. With a flip of a switch, the operator can easily adjust the amplitude from the operator console to adapt to varying layer thickness, ensuring precise compaction.

Similarly, the DD90B double drum asphalt compactor can handle varying conditions and widths to offer flexible pavement compaction in a variety of applications, including parking lots and airport runways.

In soil compactors, CASE India has 1107EX (11T class – powered by FPT engine developing 100HP) available in three variants;standard, drum drive and pad foot drum. CASE India has recently launched 1110 EX-D soil compactor (12T class – powered by FPT engine developing 110HP)especially for mining application and is available in two variants;drum drive and pad foot drum. CASE 1110 EX is equipped with HVAC cabin catering to operator’s comfort and safety.

“The turbo after cooled engine with internal exhaust gas recirculation ensures best-in-class fuel economy. Also, the maximum applied force in the range of 34 tonnes is among the best in the industry. The hydrostatic variable speed control ensures the CASE 1107EX travels at the perfect speed for every type of soil,” says Aneja.

Soil compactor designed in-house has incorporated a lot of feedback from actual users. The customers look for machines which are more productive, more fuel efficient and easy to maintain. The L&T 1190 has the highest drum module weight in its class. This makes the machine the most productive machine in its class. The selection of components on the machine is done in such a way that the operating cost of the machine is low for the actual users, says Hajela.

ACE manufactures soil compactors in the capacity range of 10 and 12 tonnes as well as tandem compactors in the capacity range of 3.5 and 9 tonnes. “Integrated with advanced features, our soil compactors are known for their good all round visibility, operator comfort, excellent fuel efficiency, durability, unmatched reliability, higher gradeability and longevity. They are fitted with Kirloskar turbo charged water cooled engine assuring no power loss at higher altitude. With dual-drum drive technology, multiple amplitude and frequency combinations and impressive manoeuvrability, ACE manufactures high-quality, world-class soil compactors which are perfectly suited for tough Indian working terrains,” says Tiku.

ACE manufactures high-quality, world-class soil compactors that are suited for tough Indian working terrains.
Sunil Tiku, Head – Marketing and Product Support – Earth Moving Equipment Division, Action Construction Equipment Ltd

The turbo after cooled engine with internal exhaust gas recirculation ensures best-in-class fuel economy.
Ajay Aneja, Brand Leader, CASE India

G R Infraprojects soil compactors are equipped with highly durable, fuel efficient engine and world class hydraulics.
Ratan Lal Kashyap, Sr. Vice President –Procurement, G R Infraprojects Ltd

The L&T 1190 has the highest drum module weight in its class. This makes the machine the most productive in its class.
Vivek Hajela, General Manager and Head – Construction and Mining Machinery Business, Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

Our machines can offer fuel savings of up to 10 per cent when compared with alternatives, which can result in significant cost savings.
Dimitrov Krishnan, Vice President and Head of Volvo CE India