An excavation is 12 feet deep in Type B soil. What is the maximum allowable slope ratio for the sides of this excavation?
Correct Answer
C) 1:1 (45 degrees)
For Type B soil, OSHA requires a maximum slope of 1:1 (45 degrees) for excavations. This means for every foot of depth, the excavation must slope back one foot horizontally from the bottom.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652, Type B soil requires a maximum allowable slope of 1:1 (45 degrees) for excavations. This means for every foot of vertical depth, the excavation must slope back one foot horizontally from the bottom. At 12 feet deep, the excavation would need to slope back 12 feet horizontally on each side. This slope ratio provides adequate protection against cave-ins in Type B soil conditions, which includes cohesive soil with unconfined compressive strength greater than 0.5 tons per square foot.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 2:1 (27 degrees)
A 2:1 slope (27 degrees) is too gradual and exceeds OSHA requirements for Type B soil. While this slope would be safer, it's not the maximum allowable slope specified in regulations. OSHA allows steeper slopes (1:1) for Type B soil, making this option unnecessarily conservative and not the correct regulatory answer.
Option B: 1.5:1 (34 degrees)
A 1.5:1 slope (34 degrees) is flatter than the maximum allowable slope for Type B soil. OSHA regulations specifically require 1:1 (45 degrees) as the maximum slope for Type B soil. This option represents an intermediate slope that doesn't match the regulatory requirement and would require more excavation than necessary.
Option D: 0.75:1 (53 degrees)
A 0.75:1 slope (53 degrees) is steeper than the maximum allowable slope for Type B soil and would violate OSHA safety requirements. This slope ratio would create unsafe conditions with insufficient protection against cave-ins. OSHA mandates that Type B soil cannot exceed a 1:1 slope, making this option dangerously non-compliant with safety regulations.
Memory Technique
Remember 'Type B = 1:1 = Be square' - Type B soil requires a 1:1 slope ratio, which creates a 45-degree angle that forms a perfect square corner when you draw it out.
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