Dynamic compaction of soil using quality equipment has been deemed efficacious in the construction industry, particularly to provide crucial support for foundations, roads, and pavements. Soil compaction has gained widespread traction over the past years, offsetting disturbances involved in different construction processes, which include trenching, grading, and excavating.
Along with the emphasis on all-round visibility and high-centrifugal forces, new generation soil compaction machines are being integrated with innovative technologies such as frequency combinations, multiple amplitude, and dual-drum drive.
Control automation of soil compaction machines has recently gained significant attention by manufacturers to resolve challenges linked with continuous monitoring. Effective methods have been justified and suggested for various construction applications, such as building structure foundations. The vibrodynamic method of sand and gravel material sealing, and continuous monitoring of soil compaction using measurement of amplitudes, and frequency of harmonic oscillations are prime examples of such control automation approaches.
Lack of automatic control in the degree of soil compaction and inability to control the working mechanism have further upheld the focus and efforts on control automation of the soil compaction machines. The fourth International Conference on Advanced Engineering and Technology (ICAET) emphasized on the development of algorithms for automatic optimization of compaction.
Development of algorithms would further undergird the application of modern means of computer engineering micro-processing in signal transmission of vibroacoustic sensors, thereby alleviating constraints associated with implementation of automatic control system (ACS).
Theoretical analyses have depicted control automation of soil compaction machines to result in over 25% increase in operational performance and output, in light of increased speed reduced number of passes in one grip. Implementation of ACS will also enable improvements in quality of soil compaction, while curtailing consumption of lubricants and combustibles, and abandoning traditional approaches to control of compaction degree.
Emerging markets hold immense potential for the construction sector, which involves robust utilization of compaction techniques. Focus on road construction in these markets has gained immense emphasis over the recent years, with governments of countries such as India concentrating on construction of world-class road network. Investments earmarked for the road construction have been paving huge opportunity for OEMs.
Authorities of road transport and highways are focusing on implementation of value engineering programs for promoting use of new equipment, materials and technologies in projects executed under public funding mode. Key soil compaction machines manufacturers such as Hamm have introduced soil compactors built with patented designs, such as the three-point pendulum articulated joint, keeping in mind the operators’ efficiency, safety and comfort.
Built on similar lines, Volvo’s SD110BA model features a conveniently positioned control system that enables easy condition-specific switching of working modes. Variable drum frequencies provided by the SD110BA further facilitates the operator to react faster to altering soil conditions and types.
Another advanced soil compaction machine introduced by JCB, the JCB116, is designed keeping the operator comfort in mind, and features in-built, ergonomically-placed compaction meter, which results in precise desired output. Heat levels and vibrations in JCB’s new range of soil compaction machines are optimized to offer comfortable working environment to operators.
These soil compaction machine developments have been designed to meet requirements of emerging markets, with exhaust & engine emission technologies to meet regulations and cooling systems modified to cope in areas with extremely high temperature fluctuations. With major players such as JCB, Volvo, and Hamm gaining firm foothold in emerging markets, it is highly likely that these players would eye further consolidation of their presence through development and launch of more advanced soil compaction machines.
