Compaction Rentals

About Compaction

Compaction is the compression of soil that eliminates air pockets from the soil structure, reducing soil pore space (the spaces between soil particles); decreasing movement of water and air into and around the soil.

Soil compaction may be caused by ongoing pedestrian traffic, one time or ongoing vehicular traffic, livestock, construction equipment or storage of materials. Soil compaction also occurs from continuous freezing and thawing of the ground.

Soil compaction also results from intentional compaction of the soil by earthmoving equipment to establish soil stability for construction, road building, or landscaping.

Purpose in Earthmoving Construction

Increasing the density of soil, along with its side effects of increased strength and decreased permeability, is usually desirable in earthwork construction and below building foundations. Compaction is accomplished by use of heavy equipment. In sands and gravels, the equipment usually vibrates, to cause re-orientation of the soil particles into a denser configuration. In silts and clays, a sheepsfoot roller is frequently used, to create small zones of intense shearing, which drives air out of the soil.

The result of soil compaction is measured by determining the bulk density of the compacted soil and comparing it to a maximum density obtained from a compaction test, to determine the relative compaction.