Proper Soil Compaction is Vital for Quality Road Construction

Rajinder raina
"The Indian market, today, has a complete range of road construction equipment which are contemporary in design by way of technology and deliver the desired results. But still, roads and highways are bound to fail prematurely due to various reasons such as wrong selection & usage of the equipment on the project sites, lack of structural strength owing to improper soil stabilisation, inadequate compaction at base and sub-base levels, and improper laying of asphalt and compaction thereof," says Mr. Rajinder Raina, General Manager-Marketing, Escorts Construction Equipments (ECE).

The last 18 months have seen a surge in demand for vibratory compactors, both soil as well as asphalt. The demand has been driven by highways and rural roads. The projects have been greenfield as well as brownfield comprising widening of roads. There are some prestigious road projects which have been started off and many more are on the drawing board. Demand for compactors is here to stay.

In the past two decades, we have constructed expressways, highways, and dedicated freight corridors, but the quality of the roads is yet to hit global levels because SOPs are not adhered to in toto. I have been very closely observing the execution of Delhi-Agra highway for the past 2 years. The quality of work is below par. The base and sub-base of roads are being constructed using ash and soil but the way soil and ash is being mixed/blended is so arbitrary that in no way will it achieve the designed structural strength. There is no adjustment of moisture content, and to top it all, the compactors used are inappropriate. On a few flyovers along the road, one can see a mini tandem roller being used for compaction of soil at the grade separation level. Furthermore, the temperature of the asphalt is not being measured/monitored. One of the site supervisors had no clue as to why a mini TVR was being used, nor about the importance of asphalt temperature.

The moot point being made is lack of quality execution, supervision, and regular measurement of compaction. The subject road is bound to fail prematurely because of lack of structural strength owing to improper soil stabilisation, inadequate compaction at base and sub base levels, and improper laying of asphalt, and compaction thereof. This observation is limited to non-compliance of SOPs.

Soil Compactor
There are all types of compactors available in the Indian market today, which are contemporary in design by way of technology that can deliver the desired results. Soil compactors ranging from 10-12.5 tons are available from various manufacturers including Escorts (EC-5250 and EC-2420, drum drive and pad foot variants of these models) asphalt compactors from 9-11 tons (HD 85), Mini Tandem Vibratory Compactors (EC 3664, pneumatic tire rollers et al). The availability of complete range of equipment in the Indian market place is certainly not the problem. It is the usage of the right equipment on the project sites. Having crossed an aggregate of 100000 kms of national highways, we are yet to deliver quality matching the Autobahn (Germany). It is time that NHAI raised the bar, particularly of highways and expressways and settle for nothing less than the world-class quality.

The road construction equipment manufacturers in India can offer just about everything that takes to make state-of-the-art roads as also relay some of the old roads. However, the EPC contractors, in particular, have to raise the bar a few notches and NHAI and MoRTH have to ensure that the end specifications are delivered not at the end of the project but at every stage of the road under construction.

We, at Escorts, are committed to keep upgrading our compactors to ensure that these are able to deliver the best, not only in India but in other countries as well.

This essay is limited to compaction on the roads only, however, there are so many other aspects to road construction, which in turn, entail a host of equipment like Motor Graders, Scrappers, Soil Stabilisers, etc.
NBM&CW March 2017

No comments yet, Be the first one to comment on this.

Dr. Ambika Behl: Sustainable Road Engineering with Waste By-Products

Dr. Ambika Behl: Sustainable Road Engineering with Waste By-Products

In an exclusive interview with Maria R., Dr. Ambika Behl, Senior Principal Scientist - Flexible Pavements, CSIR-CRRI, shares her research-based innovations in road construction using waste by-products as sustainable solutions

Read more ...

Terex India: Track-Mounted Crusher, Screener, Impactor, & 25t Franna Crane

Terex India: Track-Mounted Crusher, Screener, Impactor, & 25t Franna Crane

Terex India offers a diverse range of innovative equipment, including track-mounted crushers, screeners, impactors, the 25-ton Franna crane, tracked trommels and shredders.

Read more ...

ACE Unveils Next-Gen BS-V Backhoe Loader with TATA 74 hp Engine

ACE Unveils Next-Gen BS-V Backhoe Loader with TATA 74 hp Engine

Action Construction Equipment (ACE), unveiled its BS-V AX124 Backhoe Loader, setting new standards for sustainability, performance, and efficiency. The all-new AX124 BS-V Backhoe Loader powered by TATA 74 hp engine is engineered to meet

Read more ...

Tata Hitachi Launches Upgraded Shinrai Prime CEV 5 Backhoe Loader

Tata Hitachi Launches Upgraded Shinrai Prime CEV 5 Backhoe Loader

Taking the opportunity to reposition its backhoe loaders in the highly competitive business segment, Tata Hitachi launched its upgraded Shinrai Prime CEV 5 backhoe loader. It also exhibited its new BS V compliant wheel loader

Read more ...

Escorts Kubota: BLX Series of Backhoe Loaders with 75 hp Escorts Engine

Escorts Kubota: BLX Series of Backhoe Loaders with 75 hp Escorts Engine

Sanjeev Bajaj, Chief Officer, Abhijit Shinde, Head - Material Handling and Compactors and Suresh Ayeegoundanpalayam Kathirvel, Head - Earthmoving Sales, Escorts Kubota, share their expansion plans and business opportunities from the

Read more ...

Schwing Stetter India: Concrete Mixers, Plants, Road Machinery & Crushers

Schwing Stetter India: Concrete Mixers, Plants, Road Machinery & Crushers

Schwing Stetter India, a leading manufacturer of concrete construction equipment in India, has announced a 20% revenue growth target for 2025. The company showcased 45+ advanced machines, including 25% new and upgraded products

Read more ...

SANY India Showcases Construction Equipment as ‘Chariots of Development’

SANY India Showcases Construction Equipment as ‘Chariots of Development’

SANY India, a leading manufacturer of construction equipment, showcased its products under the theme ‘Chariots of Development,’ emphasizing its commitment to contributing to India’s ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047.

Read more ...

HD Hyundai India: BS V Wheel Loader, 3ton Mini Excavator & 20ton Excavator

HD Hyundai India: BS V Wheel Loader, 3ton Mini Excavator & 20ton Excavator

HD Hyundai India showcases its advanced equipment lineup, including the BS V-compliant wheel loader, a 3-ton mini excavator, and an upgraded 20-ton excavator, catering to diverse applications in the construction and mining sectors.

Read more ...

TIL Limited Unveils Snorkel A62JRT Articulating Boom Lift

TIL Limited Unveils Snorkel A62JRT Articulating Boom Lift

TIL Limited made a triumphant return to bauma CONEXPO INDIA 2024 under the Gainwell Group banner, marking a significant milestone in its transformation journey. The company showcased its successful integration of global partnerships

Read more ...

Etnyre Ties Up with Gainwell for Manufacturing & Distribution of Road Rehabilitation Machines in India

Etnyre Ties Up with Gainwell for Manufacturing & Distribution of Road Rehabilitation Machines in India

US origin road maintenance equipment major Etnyre has entered into a technical and marketing collaboration with Gainwell for manufacturing and distribution of Etnyre products in India. Said Ganesh Iyer, President & CEO, Etnyre

Read more ...

Ammann India: Super-Tech Asphalt Batch Mix Plants & CE Stage V Compactors

Ammann India: Super-Tech Asphalt Batch Mix Plants & CE Stage V Compactors

Road construction equipment behemoth Ammann India is well known for its formidable product offerings in road construction segment. Taking its expertise ahead, Ammann India has recently unveiled a series of new products like an asphalt

Read more ...

Greaves Retail: Advanced Electric Light Construction Equipment Range

Greaves Retail: Advanced Electric Light Construction Equipment Range

Greaves Retail, a division of Greaves Cotton Limited and a leading provider of clean mobility and energy solutions in the e2W, ICE 2W, e3W, ICE 3W, and SCV segments, launched its new range of high-performance electrified light construction equipment.

Read more ...

Dingli: Premium Range of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)

Dingli: Premium Range of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)

"Dingli India is catering to the infrastructure industry with its range of MEWPs comprising of scissor lifts and boom lifts,” said Rajinder Raina, President - SAARC Countries. "Our products are designed to cater to various loads at different

Read more ...

Propel Launches Battery Powered Tractor Trailer for Mining Sector

Propel Launches Battery Powered Tractor Trailer for Mining Sector

Propel’s 4x2 EV Tractor Trailer Truck – 470 eTR was unveiled by Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Equipped with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, this truck offers

Read more ...

Liugong India: Electric Tracked Excavator, Wheel Loader & Reach Stacker

Liugong India: Electric Tracked Excavator, Wheel Loader & Reach Stacker

Liugong India exhibited its electric operated 922 FE, 22-ton tracked excavator, 3.5-ton wheel loader, and battery-operated reach stacker. Liugong’s 922 FE 22-ton electric excavator comes with 1.0 cum HD/1.25 cum general

Read more ...

TH Company Offers Sand Washing Solutions & Thickener as Total Solutions

TH Company Offers Sand Washing Solutions & Thickener as Total Solutions

TH Company’s M-Sand washing solutions and thickener assist in proper processing of the silt material after the process of making M-Sand. Elaborates Satyabrata Misra, Country General Manager, “When producing M-Sand, the residual

Read more ...

Normet India Launches Concrete Spraying Machines & Hydraulic Breaker

Normet India Launches Concrete Spraying Machines & Hydraulic Breaker

Normet, a specialist company in mining, tunnelling, and civil engineering projects, has launched two cost-effective spraying machines and a hydraulic breaker for the Indian market, under its Aliva brand.

Read more ...

AM/NS India: Offering High-Quality Steel to Construction Equipment Sector

AM/NS India: Offering High-Quality Steel to Construction Equipment Sector

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) is a leader in offering the best products and services to the construction equipment business, supplying high-quality steel and collaborating with all the top players in the industry.

Read more ...

Revomac Industries: Robotic 6000 Automated Block Making Machine

Revomac Industries: Robotic 6000 Automated Block Making Machine

Flyash, hollow and paver blocks machinery making specialist Revomac displayed its new automated 'Robotic 6000' machine. Informed Jigar Patel, Director, "The new 'Robotic 6000' is a state-of-the-art machine featuring cutting-edge technology

Read more ...

To get latest updates on whatsapp, Save +91 93545 87773 and send us a 'Saved' message
Click Here to Subscribe to Our eNewsletter.