When constructing earthen embankments, it is essential that the soil be placed and spread in uniform lifts prior to compaction. To ensure that the resulting soil lifts are evenly compacted, typical compaction specification approaches place restrictions on the thickness that is acceptable for each soil lift. In current practice, it can be extremely difficult for a field inspector to verify that lift thickness requirements are being met when soil is being placed and spread over a large area, without the use of frequent surveying (which adds both costs and delays to earthwork projects). Recent advances in compaction control include the development of continuous compaction control (CCC) and intelligent compaction (IC) systems, which provide real-time monitoring and feedback about the operation and performance of soil compaction. Typically, CCC and IC compaction equipment is outfitted with a real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) that monitors and records the position of the compacter as the soil lift is being compacted. This paper suggests that geotechnical engineers use field RTK-GPS measurements that are made by CCC or IC equipment to monitor and control the thickness of compacted soil lifts. Data collected from a full-scale field study is used to illustrate the practical issues with using GPS measurements for field monitoring of lift thickness during construction of a roadway embankment, such as varying roller position from lift-to-lift and the measurement uncertainty associated with RTK-GPS measurement data. The use of both simple and sophisticated spatial analysis techniques are explored for interpolating measured field elevation data onto a uniform grid for lift thickness assessment. The resulting methodology that is presented can be utilized to build spatial maps of compacted soil lift thickness, a process that can be used to great benefit by field engineers who are trying to ensure the quality of compacted soil lifts.

This Phase I report describes a preliminary evaluation of a new compaction monitoring system developed by Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT), for use as a quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA) tool during earthwork construction operations. The CAT compaction monitoring system consists of an instrumented roller with sensors to monitor machine power output in response to changes in soil-machine interaction and is fitted with a global positioning system (GPS) to monitor roller location in real time. Three pilot tests were conducted using CAT's compaction monitoring technology. Typical construction operations for all tests included the following steps: (1) aerate/till existing soil; (2) moisture condition soil with water truck (if too dry); (3) remix; (4) blade to level surface; and (5) compact soil using the CAT CP-533E roller instrumented with the compaction monitoring sensors and display screen.

Construction industry is suffering from low productivity rate in various projects such as excavation. Although this issue is discussed in literature and several approaches are proposed to address it, productivity rate is still low in construction industry compared to other domains like manufacturing. A gamified platform in which different operators from different organizations can share their achievements, or can get scored and ranked in a leader-board will potentially address this issue.

TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 676: Intelligent Soil Compaction Systems explores intelligent compaction, a new method of achieving and documenting compaction requirements. Intelligent compaction uses continuous compaction-roller vibration monitoring to assess mechanistic soil properties, continuous modification/adaptation of roller vibration amplitude and frequency to ensure optimum compaction, and full-time monitoring by an integrated global positioning system to provide a complete GPS-based record of the compacted area--

This report documents an extensive field program carried out to identify the relationships between soil engineering properties, as measured by various in situ devices, and the results of machine compaction monitoring using prototype compaction monitoring technology developed by Caterpillar Inc. Primary research tasks for this study include the following: (1) experimental testing and statistical analyses to evaluate machine power in terms of the engineering properties of the compacted soil (e.g., density, strength, stiffness) and (2) recommendations for using the compaction monitoring technology in practice. The compaction monitoring technology includes sensors that monitor the power consumption used to move the compaction machine, an on-board computer and display screen, and a GPS system to map the spatial location of the machine. In situ soil density, strength, and stiffness data characterized the soil at various stages of compaction. For each test strip or rest area, in situ soil properties were compared directly to machine power values to establish statistical relationships. Statistical models were developed to predict soil density, strength, and stiffness from the machine power values. Field data for multiple test strips were evaluated. The R-2 correlation coefficient was generally used to assess the quality of the regressions. Strong correlations were observed between averaged machine power and field measurement data. The relationships are based on the compaction model derived from laboratory data. Correlation coefficients (R2) were consistently higher for thicker lifts than for thin lifts, indicating that the depth influencing machine power response exceeds the representative lift thickness encountered under field conditions. Caterpillar Inc. compaction monitoring technology also identified localized areas of an earthwork project with weak or poorly compacted soil. The soil properties at these locations were verified using in situ test devices. This report also documents the steps required to implement the compaction monitoring technology evaluated.

Construction planning techniques, technology, and applications—fully updated for the latest advances This thoroughly revised guide covers the fundamentals of construction equipment, machinery utilization, and production estimating. You will learn about construction economics, earthwork, and soil and rock properties. Rock blasting and drilling, pile driving, water pumping, and concrete and asphalt construction procedures are clearly explained. The book also contains technical depth for calculating machine production capability. Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, Tenth Edition lays out the latest technologies and shows how to apply those technologies to real-world construction projects—all with an emphasis on cutting-edge machine capabilities. Examples and illustrations showcase the latest equipment models, while chapter summaries and homework problems help reinforce salient points. Presented in a logical and concise format, this up-to-date edition features new chapters on trenches, trenchless technology, and virtual design. Provides a concise, student-friendly introduction to construction methods and planning Contains new problems, Excel answer sheets, and a refreshed solutions manual Written by team of construction management experts and experienced educators

The Deep Mixing Method (DMM), a deep in-situ soil stabilization technique using cement and/or lime as a stabilizing agent, was developed in Japan and in the Nordic countries independently in the 1970s. Numerous research efforts have been made in these areas investigating properties of treated soil, behavior of DMM improved ground under static and d