Volvo offers Compact Assist with real-time asphalt density calculation

Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced Compact Assist – along with Volvo Co-Pilot – for select Volvo asphalt compactors. The technology is available in two packages – Volvo Intelligent Compaction and Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct. In addition to pass mapping, temperature mapping and data storage, Volvo Intelligent Compaction system and Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct include the industry’s first real-time density mapping technology. Both packages include Volvo Co-Pilot, the easy-to-use on-board display that provides clear and detailed data relating to the work, ensuring a precise performance.

“Density mapping has been described as the ‘holy grail’ of 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. “Thanks to Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct, operators have real-time access to the metric that ultimately determines the success of their work – namely density.”

Set the density and get to work

Within the Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct application 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-patented technology produces a density calculation that is accurate to within 1.5% of core sampling, providing a real-time reading of density values over 100% of the mat.
With this real-time data, the operator has 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 also reduces time spent taking core samples, improves quality, and leads to much greater uniformity than nuclear gauge testing. Calibrations are also stored in Volvo Co-Pilot, 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

Volvo Co-Pilot depicts a density map, showing each square foot of rolled asphalt in a color representing density, and provides a real-time numerical density reading displayed in the corner of the screen. Both Volvo Intelligent Compaction and Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct offer real-time temperature and pass mapping data. Utilizing the 10 inch color monitor, the pass mapping function captures each compactor pass and drum overlap with an individual color, allowing the operator to 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 Volvo Co-Pilot’s internal 14 GB hard drive, which provides enough space for approximately seven months of data logging, and can be backed up to a USB drive and viewed in VETA format. With optional Differential GPS, the data gathered is linked to location information accurate to within 20mm (½ inch). In addition to Volvo Co-Pilot, both Volvo packages include front and rear-mounted infrared temperature sensors. 

Independently tested and proven

Density Direct was developed and tested as part of the US 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% of core samples every time at 180 test locations.

Volvo Intelligent Compaction and Intelligent Compaction with Density Direct are available on new Volvo asphalt compactors, including Volvo DD105. Aftermarket availability for Volvo asphalt compactors will follow in the future, exclusively through Volvo Construction Equipment dealers.