A plate compactor is a compaction machine used for construction projects that require compaction. Whether you're laying a concrete slab, building a patio, or backfilling a trench, plate compactors are required to compact your foundation material.
They smoothen and level the soil in preparation for landscaping, paving, and other home improvement projects.
Also
called a wacker plate, there are different types and they come in
different sizes. In this post, we'll be looking at the different types,
how they work, and how to use them.
Why Proper Compaction is Necessary
Proper soil compaction is necessary to provide a base that adequately supports a foundation. When there is inadequate compaction, the soil has larger pores and a lower density. Since large pores help to move water through the soil efficiently, the soil's infiltration and drainage rates increase.
This causes it to shift, contract, or expand unevenly. It leads to uneven settlement of the foundation which can cause structural damage.
With proper compaction, however, the soil particles are well
compressed and have less pore space between them. This leads to higher
soil density, fewer large pores, and a more even surface. The surface is
more compact which helps to prevent damage to the structure.
Interlocking
pavers that aren't properly compacted would most likely become
unstable. Consider the case of a contractor who is constructing a
driveway with interlocking paving stones. If the sub-base isn't properly
compacted, both the pavers and foundation will lack stability. This
causes shifting and compression that worsen as vehicles with large
weights drive through them.
Eventually, this causes grooves in
parking spaces and areas that vehicles pass frequently. As the sub-base
and pavers continue to shift, the surface becomes uneven. Unfortunately,
uneven pavers can cause trip hazards and diminish your driveway's curb
appeal.
How Plate Compactors Work
A plate compactor's job involves compacting soil to create a solid surface that can support a foundation. To do this, they have heavy steel flat plate attached to their bottom. Compactors use a pounding or vibrating action to level the land beneath them.
A plate compactor's steel plate combines its rapid movement with its
weight and impact force to compact the soil. The force exerted on the
land compacts it while the vibrating plate action encourages the soil
particles to move closer. This removes air pockets and provides better
soil compaction.
While you can use wacker plates on different
soil types, they are more efficient on granular soils. This is because
granular soil have more gravel/sand which provides smoother particles.
Also, a plate compactor's vibrations settle the soil while it's being
compacted.
Types of Plate Compactors
There are three categories of plate compactors and they provide results that are slightly different due to their design. They are:
Single Plate Compactors/Vibratory plate Compactor:
They are the lightest and smallest of the three. They only compress(move) in one direction which makes them difficult to maneuver.
Single Plate compactors can exert a force of up to 5000 pounds and can only cover a small area at a time. This makes them the right construction equipment for compacting asphalt, dirt, or gravel.
Reversible Compactors:
These types of compactors can move forward and backward. Hence, they can cover larger areas compared to single plate compactors.
Many reversible wackers can exert a force of up to 9000 pounds. The greater force means they provide deeper compaction which makes them perfect for cobblestones or driveway projects.
Heavy-duty/High-Performance Plate Compactors
Heavy duty plate compactors exert the highest force. These types of machines are great for compacting soils that require a large amount of force to vibrate particles in close contact. A good example is clay soil or any soil that contains clay.
How to Use a Plate Compactor
Below is a step by step guide on how to use a plate compactor:
Step 1: Rake the Ground
It's much easier to push a plate compactor across a smooth surface. Hence, it's important to use a rake to smoothen the ground. For better results, use a wide-toothed rake.
Step 2: Take Safety Precautions
When using a plate compactor, certain safety measures should be taken to avoid injuries or any kind of harm. Be sure to wear the correct safety equipment including work gloves, dust masks, steel-toed boots, earplugs, and safety glasses. Also, don't smoke while using a plate compactor and check to see that there is no fuel leakage.
Step 3: Start the Wacker Plate
Assuming you're using a petrol plate compactor:
- Open the fuel valve by moving the choke lever to the right.
- Set the throttle to idle to prevent your wacker plate from starting at full vibration and click on the "On" position on the power switch to turn on the machine.
- Petrol wacker plates can be started using the rope start method. To do this, hold the pull start recoil with one hand and the control hand with the other.
- Proceed to pull the start recoil to start the machine. Sometimes, it may take more than one pull to start the machine.
When you've successfully turned on the wacker plate, close the choke and set the throttle control to fully open.
When using electric models:
- Get a generator or transformer to plug the plate compactor into.
- When using a transformer, connect it to a 240v electric outlet.
- Using a 110v extension lead, connect the wacker plate to the transformer.
- Locate the control handle and click the green button to start the machine.
Step 4: Compact in Straight Lines
When the compactor is turned on, its rapid vibration causes it to move forward across the surface. Take the following steps to compact in straight lines:
- Hold the handle to direct its movement in a straight strip to make the first pass.
- Move the machine back and forth in the same corner to compress the area properly.
- Position the compactor in a way that allows you to move perpendicular to the previous straight line. It is called the overlapping pattern and helps you achieve proper compaction.
- Repeat the process a couple of times to ensure proper compaction. The more the better if you're dealing with high moisture content soil.
Step 5: Switch off the Wacker Plate
When you've successfully compacted the entire area, it's time to switch off your wacker plate. To do this, return the throttle to idle. This stops the machine's movement. Wait for a few minutes before turning off the Power Switch.
