Comparison of Vibratory Soil Compaction with other Field Methods

Full scale field tests on soil compaction were undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of various methods of achieving compaction and to examine techniques for compaction control. The test variables included type of soil, moisture content, lift thickness, type of compactor, compactive effort, and number of roller coverages. Vibratory, pneumatic, segmented pad, and sheepsfoot rollers were investigated. Measurements of soil strength and density were made after a prescribed number of roller coverages. A comparison of results between the vibratory method and the other methods was made to provide insight into the role of vibration in compaction. The basic concepts of vibratory compaction are also discussed.