Which type of compaction equipment is best for compacting the granular base of a large parking lot?

The smooth wheel roller is particularly well-suited for compacting granular materials, such as the base of a large parking lot, due to its design and operational mechanics. This type of roller is equipped with large, flat wheels that effectively exert and distribute weight across a broad area. This helps to consolidate the granular materials, ensuring that air pockets are minimized and that the aggregate particles are tightly packed together.

The effectiveness of a smooth wheel roller comes from its ability to achieve high density in granular bases, largely due to the static weight and the smooth, continuous motion during operation. As the roller moves over the surface, it provides uniform compression, which is critical for creating a stable and durable foundation for a parking lot.

While other equipment like the plate compactor or tamper can be effective for smaller areas or specific localized spots, they might not achieve the same level of compaction across a large area due to their limited coverage and the manner in which they apply force. The sheepsfoot roller, while effective for cohesive soils, is less beneficial for granular materials because its design is more focused on interlocking particles in wet or clay-based soils rather than achieving the density required for dry granular bases.

Therefore, using a smooth wheel roller for the granular base of a