Homeowner Forum / Construction / November 2008

Don't use a jumping jack they are hard to handle, use a plate vibrator to
set the gravel in layers about 4" thick. They come in various sizes, but an
average rental one should be fine to pack the gravel.

I was compacting about 3 feet of granular material for a driveway extension
and rented some equipment, a Bobcat to move the material and a large plate
vibrator to pack it. The one they sent was a diesel powered unit that
weighed close to 1000 pounds, it really packed the gravel, impossible to
move unless it was running, but not hard when it was vibrating. Had to be
careful as it would like to aim into low areas and it would take all my
strength to get it back where I wanted it.

Use a  vibrating plate..
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11328754/Vibrating_Plate_Compactor.jpg
They pull themselves along when running. I would do it in at least two goes
and recheck the levels between.

Doing the compaction in "lifts" is best....Some water may be needed too with
the compaction, but too much will create problems.....
I would use an ashalt vibratory plate from a rental.....
Or a whacker....flat plate tamper...gas operated...
A jumping jack as I know it, is a small round flat headed like jackhammer
that pounds the dirt......for trenches etc....
Anyway, do it in a 6'lift with little moisture...
jloomis

See if your local concrete supplier has a product called consolidated
fill. Its a mix of flyash and cement. I understand it is self compacting
to about 95%. It dries like very hard sand. For a shed it should be
fine.TonyG