What step is performed after portions of backfill have been placed in trenches?

• A. Joints are pressure tested
• B. Wire is placed across portions of the backfill
• C. Grading
• D. Tamping

Answer: (D)

Compacting the backfill around the pipe is the step you do after placing portions of backfill. Tamping firmly packs the soil, removing air pockets and increasing density so the trench is stable and the pipe stays in place. This helps prevent future settling, protects joints from movement, and keeps the installed line at the intended grade. Joints are pressure tested later in the process, after the system is filled and pressurized, not right after backfilling. Wiring across backfill isn’t the standard next step in this context, and grading is a finish step after the trench area is backfilled, but the immediate action to secure the backfill is tamping.