Which type of roller is best suited for compacting highly cohesive soils?

The sheep's foot roller is particularly effective for compacting highly cohesive soils due to its design and the mechanism of operation. This type of roller features numerous protrusions or "feet" that penetrate the surface of the soil during compaction. These feet knead and mix the soil, which helps to break apart the cohesive particles and effectively compress the soil mass.

Cohesive soils, such as clays, often require a method of compaction that not only applies pressure but also manipulates the soil structure to achieve a denser and more stable form. The unique design of the sheep's foot roller allows it to exert a downward force while the feet disturb the soil underneath, making it particularly effective in achieving high levels of density in these types of materials.

In contrast, other roller types may not provide the same level of effectiveness with cohesive soils. For instance, a vibratory drum roller relies on vibration to achieve compaction and may be less effective in dense, cohesive materials as the vibration does not adequately penetrate and manipulate the soil particles. Similarly, a rubber tire roller distributes weight over a broader area, which is better suited for granular or less cohesive materials, while a static roller simply relies on the weight of the roller without any specialized action to effectively compact