
Hand Tamping a Wall Foundation Base (Layered Compaction)
In the video : A rural builder prepares the foundation trench for a garden wall.
He's compacting the soil using a traditional wooden tamper - a T-shaped tool with a heavy cup-shaped foot.
Why layer the soil? Soil is added in thin layers (15-20 cm). Each layer is thoroughly tamped before adding the next. This maximizes density and strength throughout the entire base, preventing future settling.
Why tamp this way? This manual method effectively compacts soil in narrow trenches where machines can't reach, creating a solid, level base.
Result : A stable foundation ready for the next steps.