The sequence each roller follows: how many passes, how much overlap, vibratory or static, and where to start relative to the joints and edges. It is set on a control strip by shooting density after each pass until the gain levels off, then repeated on every pull. Most patterns run breakdown, intermediate and finish rolling, with the finish roller in static mode to erase marks once the mat has cooled.
Rolling pattern's seven passes on the breakdown, three vibe and four static, and quit vibrating once the mat's under 180.
Crews switch the vibration off as the mat cools toward roughly 175 F, because vibrating cold mix cracks stone and loosens the surface instead of tightening it.
Also heard as
- roller pattern
- pattern
Related terms
Breakdown roller
The first roller behind the paver, which does most of the compaction while the mat is still hot.
Pneumatic roller
A rubber-tired roller whose offset tires knead the mat, closing surface voids during intermediate rolling.
Control strip
A short test section paved at the start of a job to set the rolling pattern and density target.
Density
How tightly a compacted asphalt layer is packed, reported as a percentage of its maximum theoretical density.