The choice of compaction method depends on the material being compacted and specific requirements of the project.

Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo Construction Equipment India

How do you look at the roads and highway market in India?

As per current projections, the highway construction industry will register a tremendous growth of 133% by 2025, The market for roads and highways in India is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 36.16% during 2016-2025,

Increased Demand for Infrastructure: India’s growing population and urbanization have led to a surging demand for infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and urban development. This demand has encouraged the construction industry to seek innovative solutions to meet the nation’s infrastructure needs efficiently.

Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched several flagship programs like “Bharatmala,” “Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,” and “Smart Cities Mission” to improve transportation networks and urban infrastructure. These initiatives provide a clear roadmap for infrastructure development, fostering a favorable environment for technological advancements. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become increasingly common in infrastructure projects.

Can you provide information about the engine or power source used in your equipment (e.g., engine type, horsepower, emissions standards compliance)?  

The regulatory framework for emission standards in India is primarily overseen by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Environment Ministry.The BS emission standards set the permissible levels of pollutants that construction equipment engines can emit. These standards are like the Euro norms and have been progressively tightened over the years.

India has been following a phased implementation of the BS emission standards. Each new stage brings stricter limits on emissions. As of my last update, India had implemented BS-IV and BS-IV A, with plans to transition to BS-V and BS-VI in the coming years.

India planned to adopt BS-V and BS-VI emission standards for construction equipment engines in the future, similar to the timeline for on-road vehicles. These standards would require advanced emission control technologies, such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), diesel particulate filters (DPF), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems.

Compliance with more stringent emission standards can result in higher costs for manufacturers and potentially impact the purchase price of construction equipment.

Explain the type of compaction method used by your equipment (e.g., vibratory, static, pneumatic, etc.)?

In road construction, several compaction methods and equipment are used to ensure that the materials comprising the road, such as soil, aggregate, and asphalt, are properly compacted to achieve the desired density and strength. The choice of compaction method depends on the type of material being compacted and the specific requirements of the road construction project. Here are some common compaction methods used in road construction

Pneumatic tire rollers use rubber tires filled with air to compact the material. The weight of the machine, combined with the pressure from the inflated tires, compacts the material as it moves over it. Pneumatic compactors are often used for compacting asphalt and granular materials. They are effective for achieving even compaction across the entire road surface.

Sheepsfoot Compaction: Sheepsfoot compactors have a drum with multiple rectangular or wedge-shaped lugs that penetrate and knead the soil, creating a kneading action. This method is often used for compacting cohesive soils like clay or silt. Sheepsfoot compactors are effective in increasing material density in cohesive soils and can help prevent future settlement.

Tamping Compaction: Tamping compactors, also known as jumping jacks or rammers, use a high-frequency, vertical compaction action. They are manually operated and are suitable for compacting confined or small areas, such as trenches, edges, and tight spaces.

Grid Compaction: Grid rollers, with a roller drum equipped with a grid pattern, are used for compaction of cohesive soils. The grid pattern leaves a series of square impressions on the soil, which helps to increase the soil’s load-bearing capacity.

What is the compaction performance in terms of depth achieved per pass (in inches or millimetres)?

Vibratory Plate Compactors: These are often used for compacting granular soils and asphalt. They can typically achieve compaction depths of 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) per pass.

Walk-Behind Rollers: These are small rollers that can compact both granular and cohesive soils. They can usually achieve compaction depths of 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) per pass.

Ride-On Rollers: Larger ride-on rollers are used for compacting larger areas. They can achieve compaction depths of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) or more per pass, depending on the size and weight of the roller.

Pneumatic Rollers: These rollers have rubber tires and can achieve compaction depths of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) per pass. They are often used for asphalt compaction.

Sheepsfoot Rollers: These rollers have lugs or “feet” on their drums and are commonly used for compacting cohesive soils. They can achieve compaction depths of 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) per pass.

Vibratory Smooth Drum Rollers: These rollers are equipped with a vibratory system that enhances compaction. They can achieve compaction depths similar to smooth drum rollers, typically ranging from 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) per pass.

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