Products & Equipment Roads & Bridges
Volvo CE unveils Intelligent Compaction

March 17, 2015 – Volvo Construction Equipment introduced Volvo Intelligent
Compaction (IC) for select Volvo asphalt compactors available in two packages —
Volvo IC and Volvo IC with Density Direct, at World of Asphalt in Baltimore.

March 17, 2015 – Volvo Construction Equipment introduced Volvo Intelligent
Compaction (IC) for select Volvo asphalt compactors available in two packages —
Volvo IC and Volvo IC with Density Direct, at World of Asphalt in Baltimore.

In addition to offering the pass mapping, temperature mapping
and data storage features of the Volvo IC system, Volvo IC with Density Direct
includes the industry’s first real-time density mapping technology.

“Density mapping has been described as the ‘holy grail’ of
intelligent compaction. The first to come up with the technology will be the
one to radically advance the paving industry, it was said, and that’s exactly
what Volvo has done,” said Dr. Fares Beainy, research engineer at Volvo
Construction Equipment. “For years, contractors have relied on IC systems with
stiffness calculations instead of density, which is not the true metric by
which contractors are evaluated and paid. With Density Direct, operators have
real-time access to the metric that ultimately determines the success of their
work, density.”

Set the density and get to work

Within the Density Direct system is a calibration screen,
where the user sets the target density for the project. Once fully calibrated
with data specific to the application, the Volvo Intelligent Compaction with
Density Direct system produces a density calculation that is accurate to within
1.5 percent of core sampling, providing a real-time reading of density values
over 100 percent of the mat.

With this real-time data, the operator is given the chance to
make any necessary adjustments while asphalt is being paved. This not only
reduces the occurrence of inadequate densities that drive up project costs, but
reduces time spent taking core samples, improves quality, and leads to much
greater uniformity than nuclear gauge testing. Calibrations are also “saved” by
the machine, so operators can assign calibrations to certain elements of a job,
and quickly switch back and forth between calibrations to meet the demands of
specific job elements.

Operator-friendly interface

The user interface of Volvo IC with Density Direct depicts a
density map, showing each square foot of rolled asphalt in a color representing
density, and also provides a real-time numerical density reading displayed in
the corner of the screen. Both Volvo IC and Volvo IC with Density Direct offer
real-time temperature and pass mapping data. Using the 8"x10" color
monitor of the Volvo IC system, the pass mapping function captures each
compactor pass and drum overlap with an individual color, so that the operator
can easily see gaps and work to maintain uniform coverage. Temperature mapping
provides the operator with a temperature ‘map’ that shows the path of the
compactor overlaid with the last recorded surface temperature.

Data storage and GPS

Data gathered from pass mapping, temperature mapping and
density mapping is stored on the IC system’s internal 14 GB hard drive, which
provides enough space for approximately seven months of data logging. Data can
be backed up to USB drives in VEDA format — the Freeware system promoted by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for IC systems. With optional
Differential GPS, the data gathered from Volvo IC is linked to location information
accurate to within 0.5 inches. Both Volvo IC packages meet state DOT and FHWA
requirements for intelligent compaction specifications.

Independently tested and proven

Density Direct was developed and tested as part of the FHWA
Highways for LIFE Technology Partnerships Program. The technology was used on
various full-depth and overlay asphalt pavement projects and later evaluated by
independent users at sites throughout the country. The results were overseen by
University of Oklahoma researchers and showed that Density Direct calculations
were proven to be within 1.5 percent of core samples every time at 180 test
locations.

Availability in Q4 2015

Volvo IC and Volvo IC with Density
Direct will be available in Q4 2015 on new Volvo asphalt compactors, initially
including Volvo DD110B, DD120B and DD140B models sold in North America.