Construction Coordinator Practice Exam

When preparing to plow conduit, how long should the starter trench be?

1. A length that allows the plow blade to be lowered to the burial depth without violating the minimum bend radius

2. A fixed length of 10 feet

3. A length that accommodates multiple conduits

4. Only as long as the conduit itself

The correct answer is: A length that allows the plow blade to be lowered to the burial depth without violating the minimum bend radius

When preparing to plow conduit, the starter trench needs to be appropriately designed to ensure that the plow blade can be effectively lowered to achieve the desired burial depth without compromising the minimum bend radius of the conduit. This is crucial to maintain the integrity of the conduit and ensure it can handle the expected loads and environmental factors. The minimum bend radius is essential when planning the installation because excessive bending can lead to damage or performance issues over time. A length that allows the plow blade to be lowered to the burial depth ensures that the installation process is smooth and that the conduit is laid down properly, ensuring long-term reliability and functionality. Other options, such as a fixed length of 10 feet, may not allow for variations in project requirements and terrain, while accommodating multiple conduits may not apply in all scenarios, especially if only one conduit is being plowed. Similarly, only making the trench as long as the conduit itself does not account for the necessary operation of the plow and could lead to practical issues during installation. Thus, ensuring the starter trench is appropriately sized in relation to the plow's operational needs and the conduit specifications is the best practice.