Next-Gen Paving and Compaction

29 Jul 2023 CW Team

While India has seen an influx of advanced equipment for paving and compaction, introducing some more equipment and features would enhance the quality of constructed roads. CW presents a wishlist:

More than eight-lane carriageways are being proposed but pavers with such large width are unavailable or are too expensive, says Atasi Das, Assistant Vice President, GR Infraprojects. “Therefore, paving is done lane-wise, which slows down the work. Echelon paving is an option but it needs a greater number of pavers.”

Das proposes adopting a more scientific selection of a roller weight and type based on the embankment soil type, characterised by its plasticity index (PI). She says this would involve taking advantage of the relevant IRC code (IRC: SP: 97-2013). For instance, “where the PI is 15 and above, a sheepsfoot compactor should be used; for a PI value of 10 to 15, a 14-tonne roller should be deployed; for a PI value between 6 and 10, an 8-10 roller; and for a PI value between 0 and 6, a static 3-wheeled 8-10 roller in combination with 8-10 vibratory roller for plain passes.”

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