Software and Processes for Intelligent Compaction Data Analysis

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) implemented intelligent compaction (IC) for unbound materials on a production basis on three projects during the 2007 field season. In 2008, one 2007 project continues and two additional unbound material projects and one hot-mix asphalt are underway or planned. Previous experience illustrated that quality control, quality assurance and research activities were problematic using the software provided by the roller manufacturers. The manufacturer’ software is proprietary, expensive and subject to change, and generally did not provide the functionality required for Mn/DOT’s needs. Hence, the Department chose to develop software and processes fitting their specific needs. The work included development of database structures for managing and archiving IC data; software to import and validate IC data, populate the database and write geographic information system (GIS) shape files; processes and tools to manage, display and evaluate IC data within ArcInfo GIS software. Intelligent compaction generates vast amounts of data, which required special handling. The end product is equally suited to compaction of unbound materials or flexible pavements. This paper reports the target functionality, terminology, geodatabase structure, import and filtering software and ArcInfo GIS platform processes.