Compaction is a crucial part of any construction job as it removes air pockets within the soil through force. It results in enhanced soil stability, higher soil load-bearing capacity, lower soil settling, reduced soil shrinkage and decreased water seepage, swelling and contraction.

Types of Compaction Equipment

A roller is used for efficient compacting, which allows the job to be finished with minor passes and overlap in between. When compacting a narrow or confined area like a footpath, you need smaller compactors like a small double drum pedestrian roller or rammers and vibrating plates.

Meanwhile, compaction rollers are generally built for particular project types, so figuring out which one you need means considering all the factors. Overall, compact rollers are reliable in improving and repairing roads and surfaces.

How to Choose a Compaction Equipment

Choosing the right one for your project will depend on several factors. Here are some tips to help you get the best compaction equipment:

Determine the Soil Type

There are two types of compactable soil: granular and cohesive. Granular soil can vary from fine sand to medium gravel, while cohesive soil particles are tiny slits and clays bound together.

When you know the soil type present at your job site, you can determine how to compact it. That’s because different compacting equipment work better on different soil variations. Generally, granular soil requires vibratory compaction, while cohesive soils need impact force.

Consider Site Specifications

Compaction equipment can differ between job sites. The first thing to be considered is whether there is enough room to operate the machine. If the project site has a lot of space, you might need a bigger unit to accomplish more in fewer passes.

In addition, you should also consider that steep terrain means you need to have a machine that can still operate well at an angle.

Use the Correct Compactor Type

There is numerous compaction equipment, and they all differ in how they pack the soil. The type you’ll need will depend on the soil type in your job site and the depth and density you want. The three main types of compaction are:

• Static: This machine type uses its own weight to compress soil particles.
• Vibratory: This machine uses vibrations to shake the particles and separate clumps. It also reduces friction to let particles fall close together.
• Impact: This machine uses triangular, rectangular or pentagonal pads that forcefully drive into the soil for deep compaction.

Compaction Equipment for Hire

There is numerous compaction equipment for hire, such as:

1. Rollers: Rollers usually compact soil, waste and others for landscaping and construction jobs
2. Rammers: Rammers’ stroke rates can go up to 750 per minute for powerful impact or vibratory compaction with each pass. It usually works well in small areas.
3. Plate Compactors: Plate Compactors generally work efficiently in narrow spaces and on different material types.
4. Walk-Behind Rollers: Walk-Behind Rollers are usually accessible in both single and double drums that offer forceful compaction on different materials. They’re best for small-scale projects.
5. Ride-On Rollers: These rollers come in as wide as 74 inches and are well-suited to perform various large compacting jobs.

Conclusion

You are guaranteed an excellent outcome in keeping air pockets away when you choose the right compaction roller for your project. In addition, you’ll have an even space to work on, ensuring that your equipment and workers are safe.

KEE Group is a multi-faceted, family-owned and operated civil support services provider with a demonstrated record of providing exceptional service that we believe has no equal anywhere in Australia. As the country’s most effective and unique civil and mining support, our services are subdivided into four areas: KEE Hire, KEE Transport, KEE Surfacing and KEE Fuel. If you need compaction for hire in Western Australia, we’re the ones to call! We have smooth-drums, pad-feet, double drums and multi-tyres all in our extensive fleet. Get in touch with us today!

IMAGE © Katharyn Quinn 2021

Road surfacing is extremely important as it will help preserve the integrity and quality of roads. This is why you’ll want to do all you can to inform yourself about surfacing solutions. We thought it would be useful to put together an article discussing this subject. If this is something that you want to know more about, here’s a brief run-through of how to choose among the most popular surfacing solutions available today.

Hot-Mix Asphalt

Hot-mix asphalt is a mixture of aggregates such as gravel, sand, and asphalt cement. As the name suggests, hot-mix asphalt requires heating before it can be installed. Despite being heated to around 300 to 350 degrees, hot-mix asphalt cools quickly, making it a good material to use.

Once the hot-mix has been laid out, it will provide a smooth and durable finish to the base that it is laid on top of. This makes it ideal for road surfaces, driveways, and any area that experiences a high volume of car traffic.

Spray Seal

Unlike hot-mix asphalt, a spray seal is formed by applying a spray coat of bitumen over a base then laying an even spread of aggregate on top of the spray coat. A sprayed seal can be applied in a single coat or a double coat depending on the situation. The main thing you have to know about spray seals is that the base has to be prepared extremely well. Since it’s thinner than hot-mix, the spray seal will adhere to the shape of the base.

While spray seals aren’t nearly as strong as hot-mix asphalt, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with its own advantages. Spray seals are incredibly flexible and aesthetically pleasing. To add to this, they are also water-proof and will prove to be a necessity if your area experiences a lot of rainfall.

Lastly, spray seals are considered to be the most affordable of all the surfacing solutions. This is why it’s ideal for treating larger areas. With that being said, it would be best to use it in low-traffic areas so that the volume of vehicles passing by won’t cause issues.

Bitumen

Bitumen has inbuilt advantages that originate from its manufacturing process. Bitumen can be used as raw material for road construction as well as a mix, making it one of the more flexible surfacing solutions.

The main advantage that bitumen has is its melting point. Bitumen can be melted down and returned back to its original state via a process called asphalt recycling. This is great as it can be used instead of being sent to a landfill.

While bitumen is usually black in colour, pigments can be added into bitumen to alter it to change the colour to your liking. Granted, you will have to add more chemical additives in order to arrive at the colour that you want.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article will be of use when it comes to helping you choose between road surfacing options. Now, it’s important to understand that there is no one best option. Each of these surfacing solutions come with their own unique advantages. It would be in your best interest to gauge a situation and see which of these solutions would work best for the roads that you are trying to treat.

Every major road project in Perth has had KEE Surfacing as one of its partners. Our surfacing and construction hire workforce is made of bitumen and asphalt laying professionals, hand-picked for their skills, experience, and knowledge in delivering safe yet cutting-edge techniques. Contact us today for enquiries!

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Australian construction machinery market’s value in 2020 was a staggering USD 2381.45 million. Experts predict it to reach USD 2981.24 million in 2026 with a CAGR of 3.35 percent during the forecast period of 2021-2026. COVID-19 has undoubtedly negatively influenced the market as the government enforced strict lockdown measures, effectively halting economic, construction, and transportation activities.

Luckily, once the government allowed some relaxation in lockdown regulations, activities resumed their momentum, with demand reinvigorating the market. The Australian construction machinery market has changed, with changes in oil prices, rising government investment in developing infrastructures, economic growth, grey markets, and more. Here are some of the key market trends the industry is expected to experience in 2022 and beyond:

Increasing Infrastructure Development

The Australian government and the private sector have vastly increased their infrastructure spending, resulting in a higher demand for machinery and equipment in the construction industry. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has also noted a consistent gradual increase in residential building construction activity in the country.

While the pandemic has caused a mild slowdown in the construction industry, the increased infrastructure development in the country is expected to provide abundant opportunities to manufacturers. Australia is also witnessing unprecedented levels of foreign direct investment in construction.

The government has fuelled more initiatives to accelerate infrastructure development, thereby vastly boosting the demand for construction machinery hire. In May 2021, the government added USD 11.3 billion for infrastructure projects in its Federal Budget, including more funding to facilitate 15 early-stage investment opportunities.

In fact, in December 2020, 100,865 new construction units were registered, showing a 19.4 percent year-on-year increase from 2019. With these statistics, it’s clear that the construction industry is expected to have excellent growth potential in the next few years.

Sharp Leap in Demand for Dump Truck Hire

During the forecast period, dump trucks are anticipated to possess the largest market share in the construction machinery market. One of the prevalent trends in the market is the automation of dump trucks, mainly as concerns over safety and operating efficiency are on the rise for the mining industry.

Nearly every construction site needs dump trucks. While they have limited functions, they perform the essential task of efficiently moving and dumping various materials the construction site needs. These trucks are available in multiple sizes, capacities, and load needs. Following the skyrocketing demand, many manufacturers have begun rolling out new products to take advantage of the market.

For instance, in March 2020, Komatsu rolled out the 230T capacity dump truck in Australia. This dump truck uses a Cummins QSK60 diesel engine with a horsepower of 2,500. Stricter emission standards have also led to the increase in demand for electric dump trucks. Many companies have pivoted to meet this demand by offering dump truck hire in Perth to make it easier for customers to get what they need for their construction projects. These services do away with the need to cover maintenance costs and the upfront investment previously required to use a dump truck, which means growth in rental firms will negatively affect this segment’s growth.

Conclusion

The Australian construction industry is booming on the heels of the pandemic, with much more optimistic prospects on the horizon for everyone involved. With these trends expected to occur in 2022 beyond, Australia will welcome a new age in infrastructure.

KEE Hire is the most trusted hire company by the most prominent civil, mining, and infrastructure project managers in Western Australia. We specialize in dump truck, roller, and machinery hire in Perth to meet all your equipment needs. Call our team today to find out what we can do for your project!

IMAGE © Katharyn Quinn 2021