Rapid impact compaction technique is performed at the surface of a terrain and it comprises of a heavy excavator which is equipped with a specially designed arm onto which the hammer is attached. Within the hammer, a 5 to 10 drop weight is hydraulically lifted till a required height after which the weight is dropped using a hydraulic acceleration. This whole process of lifting and dropping of the weight takes place with a frequency of 40 to 90 times a minute.

The bearing capacity of the soil is increased after it is treated.

Minimizes settlement to a greater extent and provides uniform support for a floor slab or foundation footing, while controlling vibrations to 2 inches per second within 30 feet of the drop point.

Rapid Impact Compaction consolidates the soil immediately instead of using a surcharge to consolidate the soil under a static weight.

Loose fills or soils can be consolidated immediately without the need to replace the soil.

When the soil is treated by Rapid impact compaction, the stiffness of the upper 10 feet of soil affects the lateral load capacity of a pile. By densifying the upper layers, the lateral load capacity is greatly increased.

Rapid impact compaction can be used to improve bearing capacity and reduce liquefaction potential of loose soils. The compaction sequence is designed to work from the outside in, so that compaction of the lower zone soils occurs first followed by compaction of the upper zone. Data monitoring during the compaction process and the online display in the operator's cab enables compaction control, an economic application of the compaction tool, and a work integrated quality control. The total impact depth of the impact foot, the number of blows, and the final settlement of the impact foot after a blow define the stopping criteria. 

Rapid Impact Compaction is a technique used to increase the bearing capacity of soils through controlled impact. Dependent on ground conditions, the surface compaction can typically penetrate to 6 metres in depth to potentially 10 metres in some situations.

The Rapid impact compaction machine consists mainly of three components: a crawler hydraulic excavator base with a strengthened arm to which a compaction hammer is attached. A weight within the hammer generates compression by the repeated drop onto a compaction foot that remains in contact with the ground.