Almost any and all construction projects will at one point or another involve soil compaction in order to ensure the stability of whatever that is being planned to be built on a designated surface area. Be it road works, building parking lots, or even the construction of tall buildings, soil compaction is a critical step in the entire of these projects. In essence, roller compactors compact soil by moving heavy steel drums over a target area which results in the weight of the drums compressing the soil or whatever material beneath it as closely as possible. Some of these roller compactors have a vibration feature that creates vibrations at various frequencies (depending on soil type) to achieve greater compaction percentage.
From a layman’s view, the primary objective of roller compactors may seem to be to enhance the level of stiffness or strength of the target ground area, however soil compaction goes way beyond this and another factor that project managers must pay attention and take into consideration when they decide to take a roller compactor for hire is the type of ground that requires compacting and the dimensions of the area that requires compacting. The roles that roller compactors play within the construction realm is without doubt one of the most critical components of any given project. Below are brief explanations on what roller compactors actually achieve.
Structural Stability
An adequate level of soil compaction is necessary for the stability of any type of foundation regardless if it is only a retaining wall, a slope, or any other large or small structure. Basically, structural stability is entirely dependent on proper and adequate compaction which not just minimises settlement and differential settlement; well compacted surfaces create a stable base that is uniform and capable of withstanding heavy loads and resist erosion associated with environmental forces.
Load-Bearing Capacity
Another objective that is achieved through compaction is the significantly higher load-bearing capacity of the compacted soil. This is arrived at by reducing or eliminating spaces between particles which enables the compacted material to distribute loads evenly and efficiently. This allows the ground to withstand extreme pressures that are exerted by heavy equipment or structures that are on top of them.
Settlement Prevention
Compaction also generally minimises the potential for soil settlement after compaction within a given zone or area. This is critical towards maintaining the structural integrity of buildings in the long-term as soil settlement inevitably will lead to unevenness that causes cracks and deformation of buildings. Settlement is also the reason behind bumpy or uneven roads.
However, towards achieving optimal compaction, firstly it is important to understand the properties of the soil, ground or material that the compactor will be assigned to. Secondly ensure that the type of roller compactor that will be taken for hire is designed to handle the specific type of soil that is targeted for compaction.
Using the wrong compactor will undoubtedly result in negative outcomes for the project in either the short term or sometimes after years.
