Examining the kinematics and energy of the four-sided impact roller

Abstract

The soil-improvement method rolling dynamic compaction (RDC) utilises the mechanical energy imparted by an ‘impact roller’ module as it is towed. The motion exhibited by this module and the energy delivered into the soil has not yet been addressed in the literature. The kinematics of RDC, with particular reference to the four-sided 8 t impact roller, was investigated in this study. The motion of the module was examined in the field using high-speed photography. Vector velocities of the rolling module were obtained for the impact roller passing over a controlled test bed at a typical operating speed of 10 km/h. It was observed that the module delivered an average of 23 ± 4 kJ per blow to the soil.