Wirtgen compaction control: calibrated quality and density insights for road engineers
Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

First reported on Roads & Infrastructure (AU)
30 Second Briefing
Real Time Density and Smart Compact Pro compaction control from Wirtgen’s Hamm rollers are giving asphalt crews pass-by-pass feedback on stiffness and density, sharply reducing the need to mill out and replace under-compacted mats. Sensors on the drum continuously measure compaction in real time and display colour-coded maps in the cab, allowing operators to adjust vibration amplitude, frequency and rolling pattern on the fly. Craig Yeats, Product Support Manager – Hamm, says the calibrated system is cutting rework and improving consistency across full-width lanes and longitudinal joints.
Technical Brief
- Real Time Density is calibrated against on-site core density tests to align roller output with specification.
- Operators can store project-specific compaction “recipes” in Smart Compact Pro for repeatable settings across similar jobs.
- Colour mapping differentiates between wheel paths and longitudinal joints, supporting targeted extra passes only where needed.
Our Take
Hamm’s planned 2026 rollout of its Smart Compact Pro suite, covered in our January 2026 item, suggests that any ‘calibrated quality’ messaging around Wirtgen and Hamm in Australia is likely tied to a broader push towards sensor‑driven, automated compaction control across both asphalt and earthworks fleets.
The Wirtgen Group’s partnership with Strata Worldwide on Proximity Detection Systems, highlighted in our November 2025 coverage, means Australian road projects using Wirtgen or Hamm kit will increasingly be balancing precision compaction with machine–worker interaction controls, which may influence site calibration and operating procedures.
Across the 718 Infrastructure stories in our database, Wirtgen appears frequently in technically focused ‘Product’ and ‘Projects’ pieces, signalling that its Australian positioning is less about headline mega-projects and more about incremental productivity and quality gains at contractor level.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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