Method and device for compaction of a track ballast bed

A device for compaction of a track ballast bed, the device comprising:

• a tamping unit including two oppositely positioned tamping tools covering a path;
• a squeezing drive for a squeezing motion of the tamping tools;
• a vibration drive for generating vibrations cycles of rapid opening and closing of said tamping tools with a small amplitude superimposed on the squeezing motion;
• pivot arms each coupling a respective one of said tamping tools to said squeezing drive and said vibration drive;
• sensors disposed at least at one of said pivot arms or said tamping tool associated with said one of said pivot arms for recording a progression of a horizontal contact force to ballast of the ballast bed acting on said tamping tools over a vibration path covered by said tamping tools during an individual vibration cycle superimposed on the squeezing motion;
• and
• an evaluation device receiving measuring signals from said sensors, said evaluation device being configured for determining an inclination of the progression during a relief phase of the tamping tool as a characteristic value derived from the progression.