The Secret Behind Soil Compactors

When you pass by a construction site, you might notice that there are monstrous-looking vehicles with huge drum-like wheels running back and forth

. Have you ever wondered what they are for? Have you ever asked yourself why they just keep on pacing, as if no work is being done? At first glance, it may seem that they are useless, but this process has saved a lot of buildings and nearby structures from devastation. This process is known as soil compaction, wherein densification of the soil occurs through repeated application of pressure. Soil compaction uses stress to remove the air from the pores of the soil. It can be natural, through accumulation of soil over time, or mechanical, with the aid of compactor equipment.

The equipment mentioned above is a roller compactor, which uses the force from vibrations while moving in a certain direction. There are other types of compactors that are used depending on the type of soil. The vibratory compactor, for example, is a compactor used on granular soil, which is a mixture of gravel and sand. It is a high frequency and low amplitude compactor, meaning that it delivers faster and weaker blows than other compactors. Similar to the vibratory compactor is the reversible vibratory plate, only that it is able to travel forwards and backwards, increasing the efficiency of the job.

How do these sets of equipment do the job? Soil compaction by a number of principles, and they are applied in these machines. The first principle is impact, where the force is relative to the weight being exerted on the soil. This means that as the weight of the plates get heavier, then the stress on the soil gets greater as well. Next is vibration. This is an upward and downward motion exerted on the soil, commonly through mechanical means. These two principles are behind the function of the vibratory compactor. Rolling is another way to make soil compaction happen. Basically, a cylinder rolls on the surface to apply pressure. This is also combined with vibration for an increased effect.

It may seem the soil compaction is a menial task, as it only involves moving the machine in a certain direction. But, when it is done poorly, it can lead to dangerous consequences. One effect of an improper method of compacting is over-compaction. This happens when there is too much pressure exerted on the soil, enough to cause damage. When there are cracks present on the soil, over-compaction has occurred. There is no remedy to this problem, except to repeat the task from the start. That is why it is important to keep an eye on the pressure exerted on the soil and the duration of the compaction to prevent wasting of time and money. Also, safety is a priority when working with compactors. Several accidents happen in the construction site because the worker failed to do his task properly or because the equipment broke down. Most of the time, the root of accidents is lack of preparation and failure to follow basic protocols. Make sure that safety comes first when working with heavy duty equipment.

by: Rebecca Glessner

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