Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning B

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

backfill compaction

Tamping, rolling, or otherwise mechanically compressing material used as backfill for a trench or excavation. Backfill is compressed to increase its density so that it will support the weight of machinery or other loads after the material is in place in the excavation. Compaction of a backfill material can be expressed as a percentage of the maximum compactability, density, or load capacity of the material being used.