This method of ground improvement uses a heavy weight (5 to 20 tonne)
repeatedly dropped in free fall from 2 to 30 m onto the ground to be
compacted.
The shock waves and high ground stresses produced by the impact produce:
-
Compression of air voids in the soil.
-
Partial liquefaction and creation of drainage paths.
-
Generation of excess water pressures which cause consolidation of fine
grained soils.
The operation is generally carried out in a number of passes over the
area to be treated.


The operation is generally carried out in a number of passes over the
area to be treated.
Voids created by hammer impacts can be filled with crushed rock to
assist in further compaction of subsequent passes.
The method is well suited to compacting of near surface soils with large
air voids such as refuse dumps and poorly filled ground.