SOIL PARAMETERS FOR ESTIMATING THE ROLLING RESISTANCE OF EARTHMOVING PLANT ON A COMPACTED SILTY COHESIVE SOIL

The performance of earthmoving plant is currently estimated through ex perience, often with no more than a limited inspection of the site inv estigation report. On site, the absolute speed of the plant is seldom considered to be critical as long as the vehicles keep moving. The dif ferent factors which affect the speed of the plant on the haul roads a re discussed. The various soils tests which were carried out, as well as how they relate to the apparent rolling resistance of the driver-ve hicle-haul-road system, are discussed. Also, the reasons why certain t ests are inadequate for the estimation of the performance of earthmovi ng plant are discussed. It is shown that the speed of the plant can be estimated from the data contained within the site investigation repor t, and that it can be continually monitored throughout the life of the contract, by using the consistency index.