Dynapac and Superior Paving Put SEISMIC Compaction on Asphalt
BY Dynapac
Superior Paving Corporation, Virginia, has integrated the innovative SEISMIC technology from Dynapac into their operations with the Dynapac CC2200 VI. The compactor has recently completed a set of tests throughout Europe and the United States, including a major highway project for Superior Paving.
Michael Washington, a roller operator at Superior Paving, highlighted the roller’s impact on the I-95 express lane project north of Richmond. “We’re doing the base asphalt layer on Interstate 95, which runs from Florida to Maine,” Washington said. “The highway has been undergoing significant widening in Virginia to accommodate increasing traffic, especially toward Washington, D.C. The CC2200 VI roller with SEISMIC technology has been crucial for the final compaction of the base, intermediate and topping layers. Its variable compaction mechanism ensures the right amount of compaction with minimal passes.”
Dynapac’s product manager, Eric Booth, shared that the team used the CC2200 VI in various positions to test its mettle, and liked it best in the finish position due to its size. “They used the CC2200VI on all the asphalt layers,” he explained. “They used the CC2200VI primarily as a finish roller. They did test it as a breakdown roller with SEISMIC as well, but decided to keep in in the finish position. The CC2200VI has a 59-inch-wide drum.”
The roller’s published weight is 7.6 tons, and industry professionals will recognize the need for a larger width drum and heavier machine in a breakdown position. Yet the CC2200 VI with SEISMIC technology performed well for the crew.
“The QC manager, James Terrell, said he would like to use a wider roller with SEISMIC for these wider paving jobs, so he used it in finish roller position,” Booth explained. “He said density results were close to what he gets with heavier rollers. We will have SEISMIC on all our large asphalt rollers, but did not have one to offer during this time.”
Andreas Persson, a lead engineer within applications for Dynapac, explained, “The operation of this system is straightforward and user-friendly. The operator simply selects the high or low amplitude setting, and the machine manages the rest. This simplicity allows the operator to concentrate on navigating the track and ensuring safety, without the need for complex inputs or adjustments. It’s all about ease of use—just set the amplitude, and you’re ready to go.”
For the I-95 job, Superior Paving delivered a SM12.5A mix from its Superior Paving Powell Lane facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia, according to Booth. He also reported the crew used a CB15 and CB10 for breakdown with the CC2200VI for finish. “They did three base layers of 4-inch, 4-inch and 3-inch-thick. Intermediate and finish layers were 2 inches thick.”
The CC2200 VI includes a Tier 4 Final diesel engine with a high torque setting, patented eccentric weights, and an ECO Mode for fuel efficiency. SEISMIC technology is designed to further optimize compaction efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and enhance operator comfort by controlling the vibration frequency of the roller. “The SEISMIC technology allows us to achieve consistent density across the mat, even close to the edges, which is usually challenging,” said Evan Pugh, a density tech QA at Superior Paving.
Booth explained further for those new to compaction basics: “Vibratory rollers move up-and-down vertically to deliver the impact to the asphalt while oscillatory rollers move back-and-forth to deliver the compaction effort, so it’s not apples-to-apples to compare SEISMIC to oscillation. We will have SEISMIC on our oscillation rollers, but it will only affect the vibratory drum, not the oscillatory drum.”
Persson added, “We’ve conducted extensive tests to ensure its performance in various conditions. This adaptability is crucial for different contractors working on diverse job sites around the globe. So far, the machine has performed well and achieved the desired compaction levels across the board.”
“Superior Paving is an innovative company that is always ready to embrace new technologies to improve their operations,” said All Roads Territory Manager John Rocca. “They’ve got a bunch of young operators running the equipment who are eager to maximize their efficiency and meet new challenges head-on. The seismic technology on the CC2200 VI roller is another tool they can use to stay on the forefront of the paving and compaction industry.”