Abstract: Quality subgrade filler is scare in the construction of highway in the desert area, aeolian sand is selected as subgrade filler which is massive in the desert area, of which the mineral composition, chemical composition, pH, salt content and gradation characteristic are analyzed according to the principle of proximity. The change laws of dry density of aeolian sand and compaction characteristics are explored by using different test methods, i.e. compaction test, shaking table test, surface vibration compactor method, and controlled conditions of test. Compaction curve and vibratory compaction curve of aeolian sand show the multimodal feature of vibration compaction, vibration loose and vibration compaction again; dry density by shaking table test is superior to the density by the compaction test under the same water content ratio. Maximum dry density of aeolian sand is attainted while the water content ratio is close to saturation by shaking table test which vibration effect is best. The effect of vibration compaction by three layers filler is better than one layer filler of surface vibration compactor method. The results can provide guidance for construction.

Key words: aeolian sand, compaction characteristics, dry density, subgrade