An Intelligent Compaction Analyser: A versatile platform for real-time recording, monitoring and analysing of road material compaction

Abstract This study aims to develop an innovative retrofittable platform with cutting-edge hardware and software tools to advance the current state of intelligent compaction technology. We built a prototype of this platform from the ground up, hereafter referred to as the Intelligent Compaction Analyser (ICA) platform. This platform is designed to provide the following novel features: [i] simultaneous visualisation of multiple intelligent compaction measurement values (ICMVs) in real-time during compaction; [ii] versatility to retrofit to an existing conventional roller; [iii] ability to incorporate corrections for different ICMV parameters reflecting variable field conditions; [iv] customization of construction specifications as needed for performance-based compaction; [v] ability to record key roller parameters such as speed, vibration frequency and amplitude for further analysis; and (vi) capability to monitor the raw vibration signal pattern and its frequency spectrum. In this paper, we provide the basic design concepts of this platform, outline its functionalities and capabilities, and provide initial field validation results. The results show that the ICA platform is effective in calculating conventional acceleration amplitude-based ICMVs and stiffness-based parameters, and in displaying the spatial distributions of these parameters in a colour-coded map in real-time during compaction.