Establishing efficient rolling patters can mean the difference between penalty and bonus

By Chuck Deahl
Manager, National Accounts & Training
BOMAG Americas, Inc.

Paving is the epitome of a results-based business. Do the job right and on time, and you can expect to reap the benefits of performance-based bonuses. But fail to meet quality standards or deadlines, and you can find yourself on the road to ruin.

So what should you do to ensure the most favorable results? As with most vocations, the key to success is planning. Unfortunately, one step that is frequently overlooked by many paving crew foremen is the planning of rolling patterns. Though it takes commitment and sometimes requires adjustments from one hour to the next, planning proper rolling patterns helps to maximize production, density, smoothness - and profitability.

Basically, a rolling pattern is the sequence of moves that the roller operator makes in order to compact the mat. An effective rolling pattern provides uniform coverage of the mat, maximizes roller production and meets the three goals of compaction: (1) to achieve density and stability, (2) to leave the mat smooth, and (3) to balance production between laydown and compaction.