What is the maximum slope of a footing trench before steeping is required?

What is the maximum slope of a footing trench before steeping is required?

• A. 5%
• B. 25%
• C. 15%
• D. 10%

Answer: (D)

When thinking about footing trenches, protecting workers from a cave-in is the key idea. A practical rule is that the trench walls can be at most a gentle slope before you need to step the wall or use a protective system. This means for every ten units of horizontal distance, the wall should rise by one unit, which is a ten percent slope. If the wall becomes steeper than that, stepping (benching) the trench walls or applying shoring is required to keep the trench stable and safer for workers. The gentler option would be allowed without stepping, while steeper options would demand protective measures sooner.

When thinking about footing trenches, protecting workers from a cave-in is the key idea. A practical rule is that the trench walls can be at most a gentle slope before you need to step the wall or use a protective system. This means for every ten units of horizontal distance, the wall should rise by one unit, which is a ten percent slope. If the wall becomes steeper than that, stepping (benching) the trench walls or applying shoring is required to keep the trench stable and safer for workers. The gentler option would be allowed without stepping, while steeper options would demand protective measures sooner.