Abstract
<jats:p>The construction of future lunar infrastructure will require efficient ground improvement techniques capable of increasing the density and load-bearing capacity of lunar regolith to support foundations, landing pads, mobility corridors, and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) facilities. This study presents the development and experimental evaluation of a second-generation lunar vibrating drum roller (LVDR-2) scale model, incorporating an internally mounted eccentric mass to more closely replicate the operating principle of full-scale vibratory compaction equipment. Laboratory experiments were conducted using engineering-grade lunar highlands regolith simulant (LHS-1E) to investigate the coupled influence of translational speed, vibration frequency, and eccentric mass on compaction performance. Surface settlement and vertical pressures were initially measured to identify the optimum operating combination. The highest peak pressure was recorded at a translational speed of 4 km/h, a vibration frequency of 40 Hz, and an eccentric mass of 75.8 g. This combination was subsequently adopted for detailed geotechnical investigations involving surface settlement, vertical pressure, cone penetration resistance, bulk density, and vane shear strength measurements. The optimised LVDR-2 model demonstrated enhanced compaction performance, characterised by greater surface settlement, higher cone penetration resistance, increased bulk density, and deeper stress transmission within the simulant compared with the earlier LVDR-1 model. These findings provide important design guidance for the development of mechanised lunar ground improvement systems supporting future lunar infrastructure construction.</jats:p>