FIELD COMPACTION EQUIPMENT

Field compaction equipment is classified and their applicability is discussed in relation to soil types. The practical aspects of application are noted. The sheepsfoot roller will compact fine-grained materials, plastic materials and materials that will breakdown under the roller feet, but will not compact cohesionless granular materials. Heavy pneumatic (rubber tired) roller are designed so that the weight can be varied to apply the desired compactive effort. These rollers compact from the top down, and are least effective with fine grain plastic soils of high compressibility. The small pneumatic roller (wobble-wheel roller) will not compact a layer in excess of about 2 inches thickness and is used for finishing all types of materials. The thickness of lifts should be limited to 4-6 inches. For the steel-wheeled rollers, which are generally used for cohesionless subgrade base, coarse and wearing surfaces, the thickness of lift should be limited to 4 inches due to low unit pressures. Impact or vibratory compressed air or gasoline type hand tampers are effective in compacting soils around culverts, bridges, abutments and small restricted areas. Vibratory rollers are available in a variety of types and sizes. Some are small tractor-drawn versions and others are self-propelled. The use of vibratory compactors yield best results in clean cohesionless sands and gravel, rock spalls and various zones of rock fill. The vibratory roller may be operated through a range of frequencies with a constant dynamic force. The vibratory frequencies generally range between 1500 and 2200 blows or impacts per minute. The range of soil vibration resonances at which soils respond best to vibrations are tabulated.

• Corporate Authors:

  Marathon LeTourneau Company

  P.O. Box 2307
  Longview, TX  United States  75601
• Authors:
  • Gessel, R C
• Publication Date: 1965-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 6-13
• Serial:
  • Co-operator
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compaction; Compactors; Equipment; Fine grained soils; Pneumatic equipment; Properties of materials; Resonance; Rollers; Sheepsfoot rollers; Soils; Tamping; Vibration; Vibratory compaction
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lift thickness; Soil properties
• Old TRIS Terms: Pneumatic rollers; Rubber tired rollers; Tampers
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083801
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 1975 12:00AM