overcompaction

— Some compaction of sand fills, especially in earthquake regions, is essential to prevent flow slides (Art. 8-11). On the other hand, there is some question whether excessive compaction of any type of fill is necessary when the underlying soil is comparatively weak. It appears possible that such overcompaction may even be detrimental, since it will provide a comparatively rigid superstructure which may be overstressed while adapting itself to the deformations of the underlying weaker material.