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Compaction Equipment Multiquip Plate Compactors and Rammers |
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Soil Compaction Handbook
| Multiquip's "Soil Compaction Handbook" Is an essential tool for anyone wanting to learn about soil compaction or needing to review compaction basics. Soil density and methods to achieve proper compaction are discussed (See page 6 for soil definitions). The chart below is compiled from this handbook: |
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Granular Soils |
Sand & Clay |
Cohesive Soils |
Asphalt |
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Not Recommended |
Provides Acceptable performance for most applications |
Best Application |
Not Recommended |
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Plate Compactors |
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Best Application |
Provides Acceptable performance for most applications |
Not Recommended |
Best Application |
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Provides Acceptable performance for most applications |
Best Application |
Limited performance. see page 8. |
Limited performance. see page 8. |
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Note: Rammers are also referred to as Jumping Jacks and Tampers. Forward Plate Compactors are also referred to as Vibratory Plate Compactors. |
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| Rammers deliver a high impact force (high amplitude) making them an excellent choice for cohesive and semi-cohesive soils. Frequency range is 500 to 750 blows per minute. Rammers get compaction force from a small gasoline or diesel engine powering a large piston set with two sets of springs. The rammer is inclined at a forward angle to allow forward travel as the machine jumps. Rammers cover three types of compaction: impact, vibration and kneading. |  |
| Forward - Vibratory plates are low amplitude and high frequency, designed to compact granular soils and asphalt. Gasoline or diesel engines drive one or two eccentric weights at a high speed to develop compaction force. The resulting vibrations cause forward motion. The engine and handle are vibration-isolated from the vibrating plate. The heavier the plate, the more compaction force it generates. Frequency range is usually 2500 vpm to 6000 vpm. Plates used for asphalt have a water tank and sprinkler system to prevent asphalt from sticking to the bottom of the baseplate. Vibration is the one principal compaction effect. |  |
| In addition to some of the standard vibratory plate features, reversible plates have two eccentric weights that allow smooth transition for forward or reverse travel, plus increased compaction force as the result of dual weights. Due to their weight and force, reversible plates are ideal for semi-cohesive soils. A reversible is possibly the best compaction buy dollar for dollar. Unlike standard plates, the reversible’s forward travel may be stopped and the machine will maintain its force for “spot” compaction. |
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