COMPACTION – THE KEY INGREDIENT TO SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS

Soil is a colloidal mass of inert materials upon which construction activities take place. Therefore, as building projects are undertaken, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is prepared adequately. Compaction is a process that increases the mechanical ability of the soils to hold a building or civil structure. Some soil structures are too weak to support buildings erected on them. Without good compaction, buildings can collapse and pavements can cave in.

Reducing the amount of voids and air in the soil can be removed through compaction. Depending on the construction project, compaction varies widely. Compaction can be done using plate compactors, tamping rammers and roller compactors. For smaller projects the need for compaction is still needed. If compaction is not done properly, buckling of pavements and cracks of buildings shall observed. In order to prevent inadequate compaction, it is essential to use the proper equipment and work with competent personnel such as engineers. Compaction tests also play a critical role to verify if the compaction has been done to satisfaction

As early as the 20^th century, compaction was widely used and is lately, it is undergoing improvement. Hand tampers were used at some point before the technological advancements.  Tamping rammers work well in confided places such as in foundations and in trenches.  Plate compactors work well in wider areas. More sophisticated compaction equipment including “drive-on” and automated compaction equipment is becoming very popular.

Soil compaction increases the ability of the soil to hold heavy loads that the soil will bear during the life cycle of the building or civil structure. Buildings, foundations, roads and pavements cannot be of a high quality if they skip compaction.

Examples of types of equipment for soil compaction includes some of the following