A compaction unit (100) includes (a) an elongated open-ended ramming chamber (50) having a fill port opening (51). A ramming head (20) pushes material within ramming chamber (50) to add a new lift to a continuous homogeneous block (40) comprised of all previously compressed material. As the ramming head (20) moves forward, it closes off the fill port opening (51). A shearing chamber (60) fractures the blocks to any desired length, while a support platform (70) supports and stores the blocks until utilized. The shearing chamber (60) moves transverse to the ramming chamber to form the fracture.