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Intelligent Compaction

Compaction is one of the most important processes in roadway construction. Pavement materials must be compacted to optimum densities to ensure adequate support, stability, and strength—achieving these densities uniformly is the key to long lasting roadway performance. Current procedures using conventional compaction equipment and spot location density testing may result in inadequate and/or non-uniform material densities. Inadequate compaction is one of the major factors in premature pavement failure.

Intelligent Compaction in California

Intelligent Compaction (IC) was included in the list of FHWA 2013-2014 Every Day Count initiatives (EDC-2). The first demonstration project in California was conducted on I-80 eastbound lanes in Solano, CA in 2013.  In 2014, Caltrans developed two IC non-standard specifications for use in construction of hot mix asphalt (HMA) and Cold-In-Place Recycling (CIR) along with design guidance to assist Caltrans designers in adapting IC specification to meet project specifics. Currently the use of IC in construction of CIR is mandatory. The use of IC in construction of the thin lift HMA overlay of CIR is also mandatory while in other cases is highly recommended. In California, IC is considered as a quality control tool. The contractor is responsible for every aspects of IC including equipment, data collection and analysis, and reporting.

Since 2014, Caltrans has awarded over 100 IC pilot projects. Caltrans continues to evaluate the use of IC on Caltrans projects. You can find a list of past and current Caltrans Intelligent Compaction projects here:

List of Caltrans IC projects (XLSX)

Intelligent Compaction in Construction of Cold In-Place Recycling

Cold In-Place Recycling is an on-grade method of pavement rehabilitation that consists of milling the existing asphalt concrete pavement to a depth between 2 to 4 inches; mixing. Continue reading about CIR.

Intelligent Compaction in Construction of Hot Mix Asphalt

Intelligent compaction rollers are used in compaction of hot mix asphalt for breakdown and intermediate compaction for method compaction process and for density required HMA. Continue reading about HMA.

Intelligent Compaction Forms

Use the following forms for projects awarded after July 1, 2016.

CIR Projects

Pre-Mapping

(1) Form CEM-IC20, CIR Intelligent Compaction Mapping Report Summary (PDF)

(2) Form CEM-IC21, CIR Intelligent Compaction Mapping Information Checklist (PDF)

Test-Strip

(3) Form CEM-IC22, CIR Intelligent Compaction Test Strip Report Summary (PDF)

Production

(4) Form CEM-IC24, CIR Intelligent Compaction Quality Control Report Summary (PDF)

(5) Form CEM-IC25, CIR Intelligent Compaction Cold-In-Place Recycling Quality Control Information Checklist (PDF)

HMA Density

Test-Strip

(1) Form CEM-IC10, HMA Intelligent Compaction Test Strip Report Summary (PDF)

(2) Form CEM-IC11, HMA Intelligent Compaction Test Strip Information Checklist (PDF)

Production

(3) Form CEM-IC13, HMA with Density Requirement Intelligent Compaction Quality Control Report Summary (PDF)

(4) Form CEM-IC14, HMA Quality Control Report Checklist (PDF)

(5) Form CEM-IC15, HMA Intelligent Compaction Quality Control Information Checklist (PDF)

Just-In-Time Training (JITT) Submittals

(1) Form CEM-IC05, Field Operation JTT Review Checklist (PDF)

(2) Form CEM-IC06, Geospatial Data and Analysis JITT Review Checklist (PDF)

(3) Form CEM-IC07, JTT Attendance Sheet (PDF)

Method Compaction

(1) Form CEM-IC14, HMA Quality Control Report Checklist (PDF)

(2) Form CEM-IC12, HMA Method Compaction Intelligent Compaction Quality Control Report Summary (PDF)

Intelligent Compaction Guidelines for Contractors

Caltrans Intelligent Compaction Essentials (PDF)

Cold-in-Place Recycling (CIR)

Test Strip

  • Use the following intelligent compaction test strip procedure to establish CIR intelligent compaction target values:

Intelligent Compaction Cold-In-Place Recycling Test Strip Procedure (PDF)

  • The following is a sample test strip report that meets the requirements of the intelligent compaction CIR specifications:

Sample Intelligent Compaction Cold-In-Place Recycling Test Strip Report (PDF)

Compaction Quality Control Report

  • The following is a sample compaction quality control report that meets the requirements of the intelligent compaction CIR specifications:

Sample Intelligent Compaction Cold-In-Place Recycling Compaction Quality Control Report (PDF)

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

Test Strip

  • Use the following intelligent compaction test strip procedure to establish HMA intelligent compaction target values:

Intelligent Compaction Hot Mix Asphalt Test Strip Procedure (PDF)

  •   The following is a sample test strip report that meets the requirements of the intelligent compaction HMA specifications:

Sample Intelligent Compaction Hot Mix Asphalt Test Strip Report (PDF)

Compaction Quality Control Report

  • The following is a sample of compaction quality control report that meets the requirements of the intelligent compaction HMA specifications:

Sample Intelligent Compaction Hot Mix Asphalt Compaction Quality Control Report (PDF)

Intelligent Compaction Guidance for Engineers

Guidance documents are intended for use by Caltrans engineers.

Intelligent Compaction Design Guidance

  • Use the following design guidance to determine if intelligent compact can be used on a project and to assist in editing the specifications:

Intelligent Compaction Design Guidance (PDF)

Intelligent Compaction Construction Guidance

  • Use the following construction guidance to administer Caltrans intelligent compaction specifications:

Intelligent Compaction Construction Guidance (PDF)

Intelligent Compaction Non-Standard Special Provision (NSSP)

Caltrans has developed two NSSP for IC work.

  1. IC-CIT
  2. IC HMA

If you need a copy of the NSSP, please contact Ragu Thangavelautham at (916) 227-5705.

Training

Caltrans specification requires that all Intelligent Compaction Technicians (ICT) must be in possession of a valid certification of completion of an approved Caltrans training program. The ICT training consists of the following:

  1. Intelligent Compaction Data Analysis
  2. Intelligent Compaction Equipment

Intelligent compaction quality control technician must complete both training sessions.

The individuals attending the training sessions will receive a certificate upon completion. The certificate is not intended as a proof of proficiency. The contractor is ultimately responsible for quality of workmanship and accuracy of analysis according to Caltrans intelligent compaction specifications.

List of Caltrans Approved Intelligent Compaction Training Programs (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Your may find answers to your questions here:

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Useful Intelligent Compaction Related Links

Official Intelligent Compaction/VETA website maintained by Transtec Inc.
GPS tutorial maintained by Trimble.
IC field demo project maintained by Topcon Inc. (PDF)
Intelligent Compaction 101

 

Contact Ragu Thangavelautham

Email: raguparan.thangavelautham@dot.ca.gov

Phone: (916) 227-5705