Although it is known that impact compaction tests are not appropriate for granular soils, these tests continue to be widely used. Excessive settlements frequently occur in granular soils where specified field compaction is based on Standard Proctor (ASTM D 698; AASHTO T 99) maximum dry unit weights. A laboratory test program evaluated alternative test methods for granular soil compaction control and showed that a Vibrating Hammer method (similar to British Standard BS 1377:1975, Test 14) has great promise for laboratory compaction of these soils.

Control of compaction of cohesionless granular soils is frequently confounded by the lack of adequate test methods. These materials do not compact satisfactorily in the standard moisture-density test, ASTM Method D 698. Thus, methods of soil-compaction control based upon the standard density test, which are appropriate for cohesive-type soils, have been found to be unworkable with many cohesionless soils.

This interdisciplinary volume comprises papers from several fields related to compaction. Topics include: soil compaction for pavements and roads; deep soil compaction by vibration, impact and underground explosion; compaction control; and compaction processes in engineering.