FCC

Next-Gen Paving and Compaction

2023-07-29

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.”