Abstract: The invention concerns a drop mass soil compaction apparatus (10, 50) which has a supporting frame (12,64) and a mass (20, 76) which can be raised relative to the frame to an elevated position above a soil surface (40, 61) which is to be compacted. The apparatus includes a mass lifting arrangement for raising the mass to the elevated position such that when the mass is subsequently dropped from such position it impacts on the soil surface in order to compact it. The mass lifting arrangement includes a flexible cable (24, 92) attached to the mass and an hydraulic or pneumatic actuator (36, 68) which is carried by the supporting frame and which acts on the cable in a manner to raise the mass. The cable effectively isolates the mass lifting arrangement, and in particular the actuator, from shock loads generated by impacts of the mass on the soil surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a soil compaction roller (10) and a soil compaction machine of which the roller (10) forms part. The roller (10) comprises a multi-sided, out-of-round, peripheral compacting surface (16) which can roll over a soil surface which is to be compacted. The compacting surface (16) is defined by a series of angularly spaced salient points (20) and a corresponding series of compacting faces (22). Each compacting face (22) is outwardly convex in shape and extends continuously between two adjacent salient points (20). When the roller (10) is operative with the compacting surface (16) rolling over the soil surface, the roller rises up on each salient point (20) in turn, storing potential energy, and thereafter rolls downwardly onto the succeeding compacting face (22) to transmit the stored potential energy to the soil surface to compact it.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring soil compaction using a compaction machine which applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface. The apparatus comprising a rotatable, multi-sided compactor mass that applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface when rolled over that surface. Data related to the level of compaction of the soil surface is derived, during compaction of the soil surface, from the deceleration of the compactor mass as it impacts the soil surface. This is achieved using one or more accelerometers mounted on the impact compactor.

Abstract: A method of monitoring of the level of compaction of a soil surface undergoing compaction by an impact compactor which includes a rotatable, multi-sided compactor mass that applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface when rolled over that surface. In accordance with the invention, data related to the level of compaction of the soil surface is derived, during compaction of the soil surface, from the deceleration of the compactor mass as it impacts the soil surface. This is achieved using one or more accelerometers mounted on the impact compactor.