This study explores the ride dynamics of typical North-American vibratory soil compactors via analytical and experimental methods. In-plane ride dynamic models of the vehicle are formulated to evaluate ride vibration responses of the vehicle in the transit mode on undeformable terrain surfaces with the roller vibrator off. An in-plane dynamic model is also formulated to study the compaction mode dynamics at lower speeds on elasto-plastic soil subject to roller induced vibration. Field measurements were conducted to characterize the ride vibration environments during the two modes of operations.
The ride dynamic models of the soil compactor are thus analyzed to study its whole-body vibration environment while operating on undeformable random terrain surfaces. The modeling of the equipment in compaction mode of operation, however, gives insight over the efficiency of the compactor as a tool aimed to perform compaction of soil layers by plastic deformation (compression). The ride vibration environment of the vehicle and its compaction capability is subsequently assessed using the ISO-2631-1 (1997) guidelines and commonly accepted compaction criteria, respectively. The validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by comparing the model responses with the measured data. Comprehensive parametric analyses were subsequently performed to study the influences of variations in various design and operating parameters on the ride quality and the compaction efficiency of the mobile equipment. The results of the study are utilized to propose desirable design and operating parameters of the vibratory soil compactor for enhancement of its ride vibration environment and compaction performance.