ABSTRACT
The range of applications for natural fill earth materials is closely connected to the specific properties of the material. Consequently, depending upon their properties, various fill materials are favoured for specific structural components. Earthworks are generally produced with the help of natural fill materials such as sand, clay and loam. These types of soil mostly consist of three main components: sand, silt and clay often mixed with some gravel or organic material. Soil samples which cannot be denominated as gravel or peat must be classified, based on the percentage by mass of clay, silt and sand, in the so-called clay-silt-sand triangle. Vibratory equipment redistributes the solid particles to give a more compact material with better mechanical properties. The degree of compaction of the fill material, often achieved with great difficulty, in the long term often proves to be so much wasted effort owing to gradual deformation of the entire structure.
