The compaction process is a vital final step in the construction of quality, long lasting subgrade soils and pavement materials. Embankments, Subgrades, Base Materials, and Pavement must be well compacted to obtain uniform, optimum density levels that ensure adequate support and strength. Currently used compaction equipment and processes can too often result in inadequate and / or non-uniform material density, which can contribute in short embankment and/or pavement service life. Compaction rollers with intelligent compaction (IC) capabilities have been developed and are routinely used in parts of Europe and Asia. Many studies have shown that the use of IC technology can dramatically improve the compaction process. Specifically, it seems that the implementation of IC technology may result in more uniform material density, improve the efficiency of compaction operations by reducing the number of passes needed to obtain specification density and can provide a valuable tool in QC/QA by allowing a visual record of material stiffness values at 100% of the roadway locations recorded during compaction. Rollers with IC technology for soils / aggregate (single drum) and asphalt pavement (tandem drum) compaction are now becoming available in the United States. At the same time, FHWA and state DOTs have expressed interest in conducting studies to accelerate the study and implementation of IC technology. To this end, FHWA has produced a report titled "Strategic Plan for Intelligent Compaction" that establishes a five-year plan to study IC, write AASHTO-style construction QC specifications and implement the technology. The report suggests, among other things, that a coordinated effort by roller manufacturers and government agencies be undertaken to use IC technology on various roadway construction projects at locations around the country. An IC Strategic Forum was held in December that included FHWA, equipment manufacturers and state DOT representatives. At that meeting, it was found that some major roller manufacturers were planning to provide a limited number of rollers to the US market and that a number of state DOTS were planning projects to utilize and study IC technology. Based on those two facts, at least five state DOTs in attendance expressed interest in participating in a pooled fund approach to coordinate the study and rapid implementation of IC technology.

The primary outcome of the pooled fund project will be: 1. Accelerated development of Intelligent Compaction (IC) QC/QA specifications or Subgrade Soils, Aggregate Base and Asphalt Pavement Material. The focus of the specifications will be to provide a reliable method to capture the maximum potential value added which is possible from current IC technology, and current used/available QC/QA Field testing equipment (dynamic cone, FWD, Plate Load Tests, Density, Moisture, temperature, etc.). Not all possible the potential IC value. All that is possible using current IC and QC/QA Field testing technology. 2. Develop an experienced and knowledgeable IC expertise base within Pool Fund Participating State DOTs. 3. Identify and prioritize needed improvements to, and/or research for, IC equipment and Field QC/QA testing equipment. Prioritization will be based on the potential for: (1) simplifying IC usage; (2) achieving greater IC value, cost benefit, etc.; (3) higher accuracy; and (4) any combination of 1 through 3.

1. Develop Report "Intelligent Compaction in Europe: The Owners Experience and Perspective." Currently, all data, exposure, knowledge, and perspectives have been provided by the IC Equipment Manufacturers. Implementation of IC within the US could be greatly accelerated by a documented report on the European owners IC experiences, perspective, and active research activities. Several of the questions to be answered by the report include: · Why has/does the owner use IC? · What qualitative or quantitative value do they get? · How have they successfully implemented and integrated IC? · What research have they completed or is ongoing? Can we collaborate so that we can leverage our resources? They do one part we do another, and we share. · Is there a way to establish a broader based users group for moving technology and testing forward? · Can we collect information on QA/QC, testing equipment, methods etc? Advanced compaction technology and methods have been used in Europe by highways, airports, and high-speed rail. Leaders in this area have been the Swedes and Germans who began advanced compaction techniques and in the mid 70's and has had specifications in place for over a decade. In addition, the French have advanced compaction testing equipment that may well be superior to the Germans or Swedes. The Report Team will focus on embankments, subgrades, and non-bound base materials. 2. Conduct integrated multi-state IC construction projects (not limited scope equipment demonstrations) to answer key questions about the technology. The goal is for each Pool Fund Participating State to gain experience and expertise from each IC project regardless of its location within the US. Engineers from Pool Fund Participating State will work as a virtual team on each new IC project. Building and sharing IC knowledge with each new project. The goal is for each DOT to gain significantly more IC knowledge via this method then they would have obtained if an equivalent number of IC projects where performed in their home state. In addition to cost savings, this approach should radically reduce the time required to develop IC specifications and development of a US based IC expert pool and network. 3. Providing a travel mechanism for Pool Fund IC engineers to participate in IC business meetings and IC construction projects in fellow participating States. 4. Plan of Action will include a Pool Fund facilitator to assist DOTs with project planning, scheduling and data collection and to coordinate with roller suppliers to schedule the right equipment at the right location at the right time. It is envisioned that the facilitator will be paid consultant.

Each state participating in the study is asked to contribute a minimum of $25,000 per fiscal year. Please Contact chris.dumas@fhwa.dot for Copies of the FHWA Reports: · INTELLIGENT COMPACTION: STRATEGIC PLAN · INTELLIGENT COMPACTION: TECHNOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF EQUIPMENT AND THEORY