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Which of the following foundation materials is most stable during earthquake shaking?

a) sand and mud
b) bedrock
c) unconsolidated moist soil
d) water-saturated sand

User Itsjef
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1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Bedrock is the most stable foundation material during earthquake shaking due to its solid, interconnected structure that is less affected by seismic waves, unlike unconsolidated or water-saturated materials.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most stable material during earthquake shaking is bedrock. Unlike sand, mud, unconsolidated moist soil, or water-saturated sand, bedrock has a solid and interconnected structure that tends to be much less affected by the seismic waves produced during an earthquake. Unconsolidated materials, particularly when saturated with water, can be prone to liquefaction during shaking, where the soil behaves like a liquid and can cause severe ground failure. Earthquake-resistant construction often involves anchoring buildings to bedrock or using deep foundations that reach down to stable rock layers to prevent structural damage during seismic events.

User FabioL
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