Energy-Based Design of Sustainable Earthworks Compaction

ABSTRACT: The design of earthworks compaction has traditionally been guided by two distinct approaches: Method or End-Result Specifications. While Method specifications require the Contractor to deliver a product using specific materials, equipment and methods, the End-Result specifications require the Contractor to deliver a product that meets “pass/fail” criteria for specific requirements. This paper describes an innovative approach to compaction where laboratory testing and analytical modelling tools support the energy-based design of earthworks compaction. The sustainability criteria behind the proposed approach aims to design the earthworks by optimizing the compaction variables to achieve the most energy-efficient process that meets a target degree of compaction. This energy-based design tool relies on a 3-dimensional analysis where the Density Growth Curve (DGC) provides a supplement to the traditional 2-dimensional compaction (moisture vs density) curves. An interactive web-based application is being developed to identify sustainable compaction conditions for site-specific earthworks. The application can also be used to estimate productivity from dimensions and machine performance data.