Verification of an impact rolling compaction trial using various in situ testing methods

Abstract

Rolling Dynamic Compaction (RDC) involves a heavy non-circular module that rotates and falls to impact the ground dynamically; it has a greater depth of influence compared to conventional circular rollers. The depth of influence to which an impact roller can compact soil is known to vary, and is dependent upon factors such as soil type, moisture content and applied input energy, thus verification of impact rolling is particularly important to quantify the extent to which soil has been improved. This paper compares before and after compaction test results using three in situ testing methods, field nuclear density, dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) and spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW), as well as the ground response due to RDC using earth pressure cells, accelerometers and surface settlement measurements used during the compaction trial.