Choose a Solve for mode to calculate loose or compacted thickness, thickness reduction, or asphalt tonnage. Tonnage uses compacted volume and in-place mix density; this is a quantity estimate, not a density-based compaction acceptance test.

Estimate thickness after a specified fractional reduction. This factor is not a density-based percent compaction.

Use a fraction from 0 up to, but not including, 1 (or 0–<100%). Required for thickness solves. In tonnage mode, blank omits the loose-thickness estimate.

Related Calculators

Asphalt Compaction Formula

The following example problem outlines the steps and information needed to calculate the Asphalt Compaction (compacted thickness).

AC = T - T × CF

Variables:

  • AC is the compacted asphalt thickness (same length units as T)
  • T is the poured (loose/uncompacted) thickness (using the same length units as AC) 
  • CF is the compaction factor, defined here as the fractional thickness reduction from poured to compacted thickness (decimal 0–<1). Equivalently: CF = (T − AC) / T.

To calculate the asphalt compaction (compacted thickness), subtract the poured thickness times the compaction factor from the poured thickness. (The thickness reduction amount is T·CF.)

How to Calculate Asphalt Compaction?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Asphalt Compaction.

  1. First, determine the poured thickness (in). 
  2. Next, determine the compaction factor (fractional thickness reduction, decimal 0–<1). 
  3. Next, gather the formula from above = AC = T – T*CF.
  4. Finally, select Compacted thickness, enter the loose thickness and reduction, then select Calculate.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

poured thickness (in) = 15

compaction factor = .23

AC = T – T*CF = 15 − (15·0.23) = 11.55 in (compacted thickness)