Abstract
Laboratory analysis carried out on different soils shows that vibratory and impact compaction produce different results. Standard methods based on BS 1377: 1975 using the vibratory hammer and mod AASHTO for impact were applied. Results obtained for maximum dry density and optimum moisture content were compared for each soil. It was found that the vibratory method was more suitable than impact for non-cohesive soils and gravels. Cohesive soils reached maximum compaction at higher moisture contents using vibration as opposed to impact, but at lower densities. It is clear that field densities under vibratory compaction would be difficult to achieve where the laboratory control method was based on impact.