Preparing ground for a drive

dander

I'm in the middle of building a drive outside my house - while digging down I came across a large metal spike and had to dig a hole about 18" deep and about 12" diameter to get it out. I've filled it back in, but I'm concerned that I'm going to be left with a very soft patch. Does anyone know what the best way would be to firm this up? Will the whacker plate do the job, or will it just kind of run over the top, leaving a loose bottom.

darich

if you're really concerned about it then fill it with concrete.
However, that then means that you'll have a hard spot on your drive if the surrounding area is softer or not compacted properly.

It also depends on how deep you're excavating for your drive and what it's going to be made of eg monoblock? tar? slabs?
Is the potential soft spot where the tyres are likely to run? If not then I'd leave simply fill it and compact it using the whater plate.

evilgoose

As you fill the hole up firm it down with sledge as you go every few inches.

Pretani

fill it up and firm it down with a sledge as evilgoose suggested, then when you get whackering set the plate on it for a minute, that will sort it out.

dander

Hey, thanks all. It's thoroughly whacker plated now, and looking good.