Resonant roller compaction of gravel in full-scale tests

Results from a recent study indicated that compaction by vibratory roller can be made more time- and energy-efficient by operating at a vibration frequency close to resonance. In this paper, the results are verified and the reduction in operating time is quantified by conducting detailed full-scale tests under realistic conditions at two frequencies: the standard operating frequency of the roller and a lower frequency slightly above resonance. Compaction was done in two tests per frequency with 16 passes in each test. The obtained compaction was quantified using a combination of measurement techniques, including laser levelling, nuclear density gauge and static plate load tests. The results confirm that the lower frequency is more efficient for compaction and that utilizing resonance in the roller-soil system can reduce the number of passes. In addition, lowering the frequency reduces energy consumption, environmental impact and machine wear.