Phillyfrank,
I have not read the "Revue francaise de geotechnique" paper , but you could find part of your answer in a paper published in the ASCE Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, Vol 110, no6 June 1984 pages 757- 774. The Title is " Ground Response to Dynamic Compaction" by Paul Mayne, John Jones and Jean Dumas.
In this paper, the authors suggest a conservative upper limit for peak particle velocity of:
PPV < 70*(sqrt(W*H)/d)^1.4
Where PPV is the vector sum in mm/sec (1 ips = 25.4 mm/s)
W weight of tamper in tonne (1 tonne = 1000 kg =2204.6 lb)
H drop height in meter (1 meter= 3.2808 feet)
d distance from the drop point in meter
This limit is based on 14 case studies. The authors don't discuss the effect of the type of soil, but based on my own experience vibrations tend to travel easily in clayey material, which has for effect that peak particle velocities tend to be higher. Also, vibration levels tend to be higher as the soils get compacted during the process.
Typical worst case scenario values are 2 ips at 30 feet, 1 ips at 60 feet, and 0.5 ips at 100 feet, which is something you could measure at the end of compaction on a granular material when using a 20 ton tamper falling from about 80 to 100 feet. You don't typically get this with a 15 ton tamper falling from 60 ft.
Hope it can help you!
Marc59