General Contractor Practice Exam

What is the best method for compacting damp sand?

1. Using a mechanical compactor

2. Flooding

3. Walking on it

4. Applying heat

The correct answer is: Flooding

The best method for compacting damp sand is to use flooding, which involves saturating the sand with water. When sand is damp, the moisture acts as a binding agent between the particles, allowing them to lock together more effectively when saturated. Flooding increases the water content, reducing the air voids within the sand and causing the particles to settle closer together. This method can enhance the overall density of the compacted sand. In contrast, using a mechanical compactor may not be as effective on damp sand as it would be on drier materials. The compaction equipment may not be able to achieve the desired level of density if the sand is too wet or too dry, as the moisture content significantly affects compaction properties. Walking on the sand can provide some level of compacting but is not efficient for achieving substantial compaction and density, especially over large areas. Applying heat is not a practical method for compacting sand, as it would typically not have an effective outcome when dealing with granular materials like sand, and it may actually dry the sand out, making it less effective for compaction. Thus, flooding effectively utilizes the moisture present in damp sand to enhance compaction, making it the most suitable method in this scenario.