Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Compacting Problems

I recently had to replace my main sewer line. In order to do that I had to remove a piece of my driveway. After the sewer line was replaced, the hole was backfilled using the same mini-excavator that dug the hole. I am now ready to repair the driveway. I was trying to compact the repair area with a jumping jack type compactor. I can’t seem to get a good compaction. After many hours of running this thing back and forth and 90degs to that, the ground still seems spongy, you can actually see the ground moving or giving under your feet. It’s not as bad in some areas as the other. I must also tell you that the ground was very saturated with water before sewer line repair was completed. The area also doesn’t seem to get very much suns on it right now either. I have since waited about 3 weeks for the dirt to dry out a little and tried once again to compact, but still have spongy areas. Not as bad as the first time, but still not too solid. What can I do to help with the compaction and drying out the soil without having to dig it all up? Any suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Others may have different ideas, but I would back fill with gravel to solve the compaction problem.

You definitely need better soil and not just "dirt" to compact.

Get some "road base" - the same thing they use when they build a road or a driveway.

The soil you have probably has too many fines and possibly organics.

The using the proper base material and certain amount of moisture is best because it provides some lubrication to allow the individual particle to move around and get maximum density.

I have no idea of what size or depth you are filling, but you may be using the wrong type of compactor. It is hard to beat a vibratory plate compactor with the base laid in 6" to 8" layers. With thewrong soil a "jumping jack" may just be distruction everytrhing around it. You new see a "jumping jack" when they build a road or driveway.

Dick