Roller compaction is the process of compacting soil or aggregate with a road roller. This reduces the space between the particles, increasing the material's density and strength. Roller-compacted roadways are less prone to rutting and potholes and last longer than roadways that have not been compacted.

Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) is a type of concrete that is made by compacting and vibrating a mix of cement, sand, gravel and water. This type of concrete is used for roadways, bridges, parking lots and other large-scale construction projects. RCC is more durable than traditional concrete, and it can be used in place of asphalt in some applications.

There are three main types of road rollers: tandem, single-drum and pneumatic. Tandem road rollers have two drums that rotate in opposite directions, while single-drum road rollers have one drum that rotates. The type of drum can vary as well. Some rollers have smooth drums for compacting and smoothing soils. Others have padfoot drums that have blunted "teeth" for compacting softer soils. Each type of road roller has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to select the right one for the material you're compacting and the job size. To decide which roller is right for your project, check out our Project Uptime article.