Road rollers or compaction rollers are some of the most low-key construction machines out there. They’re not used on as many projects, and their main use is to prepare or finish foundations. This means that they aren’t as visible to the public as other types of construction equipment. That being said, a road roller is still a valuable part of many road construction and residential construction projects – just like dozers, excavators, skid steers, or any other piece of construction machinery.
What Is a Construction Roller?
A construction roller is also known as a road roller, compaction roller, or steam roller. Although these machines are not powered by steam anymore, they used to be and in some cases, the name stuck. A roller at its essence is a really heavy wheel that is used to level out and compact terrain, soil, dirt, asphalt, or any other kind of foundation or base material. There are a few different types of rollers including single and double-drum rollers. There are also Padfoot and vibrating rollers.
Why Does Compaction Matter for Construction and Foundations?
The main purpose of using a compaction road roller is to create a more solid and stable foundation for projects. If the particles of soil or asphalt are pushed together to pack them tight to each other, it reduces the chance of shifting, crumbling or sinking. For foundations, it has a huge implication on the stability of a building. In road construction, it makes the difference between the quality of roads, how they last through different seasons and the long-term fixes that will be needed.
Rollers and Agriculture
The first roller wasn’t used in construction. Traditional rollers were used in farming to help break up big chunks of dirt and soil after land was plowed. Horses would be used to pull a solid circular roller behind them so the weight of the roller would help smooth and even out the farmland. Today, these rollers are pulled by tractors or other machines.
Flat and even land is better for weed control and also helps to make the harvesting process easier in the fall.
