What type of compaction equipment is most suitable for granular soils?

The vibratory plate is especially suited for compacting granular soils due to its ability to apply a high frequency of vibrations directly to the soil within a controlled area. Granular soils, such as sands and gravels, respond well to vibratory compaction because the vibrations cause the soil particles to rearrange themselves, thereby increasing the density and stability of the material.

The mechanical action of the vibratory plate effectively forces air and water out of the soil voids, allowing particles to settle more closely together, which enhances compaction. This type of equipment is particularly advantageous for smaller areas, such as in trench work or around foundations, where precision and efficiency are key.

In contrast, equipment like the sheep's foot roller is more effective for cohesive soils, where the weight and interlocking action of the feet penetrate the surface and compact the material. The rubber tired roller is mainly used for providing surface smoothness and is effective on both granular and cohesive soils but does not achieve the same level of density improvement in granular soils as the vibratory plate. The excavator is primarily a digging tool and does not provide direct compaction capabilities like the vibratory plate does.