What density is required in the Lowest Zone?

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Multiple Choice

What density is required in the Lowest Zone?

Explanation:
Matching the density of the soil in the trench for the Lowest Zone ensures a smooth, uniform transition at the bottom of the fill. When the compacted layer has the same density as the surrounding trench soil, there’s no abrupt change in stiffness or bearing capacity, which helps prevent differential settlement and weak interfaces that could compromise stability. Using a fixed target like the maximum possible density (or partial percentages such as 85% or 90% of that maximum) ignores the actual in-situ conditions and can create seams or over-/under-compaction relative to the trench soil. So the best approach is to compact the Lowest Zone to the same density as the trench soil.

Matching the density of the soil in the trench for the Lowest Zone ensures a smooth, uniform transition at the bottom of the fill. When the compacted layer has the same density as the surrounding trench soil, there’s no abrupt change in stiffness or bearing capacity, which helps prevent differential settlement and weak interfaces that could compromise stability. Using a fixed target like the maximum possible density (or partial percentages such as 85% or 90% of that maximum) ignores the actual in-situ conditions and can create seams or over-/under-compaction relative to the trench soil. So the best approach is to compact the Lowest Zone to the same density as the trench soil.

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