A GPS-based automated system for monitoring the compaction process

Quality control of compaction is an extremely important concern of State Highway Agencies (SHA) and contractors because compaction is a practical and economical method for improving construction material stability in construction operations such as soils and asphalt pavement. When other conditions are the same, the density of asphalt pavement is dependent on the number of coverages of compactor. If pavements are not compacted properly, target density is not achieved leading to structural distress and deterioration of pavements, For this reason, it is desirable to develop an automated system for monitoring the number of coverages over the entire surface of pavement mat. This paper reports a research project to develop an automated system for mapping compactor coverages using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The system is able to provide the compaction operator with a visual display of coverage areas with different colors representing the number of coverages done.