Question

The design of bench terraces consists in determining the

(A) type of bench terraces

(B) terrace spacing

(C) terrace cross section

(D) terrace length

(E) terrace alignment

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• B. (B), (C) and (D) only.
• C. (C), (D) and (E) only.
• D. (A), (B) and (E) only.

Hint:

Focus on which of the five items are actually computed as design quantities, versus which are simply fitted to the field afterwards.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Terracing design begins with choosing the type of bench terrace that suits the site, for example a level (table top) terrace for irrigated crops, a graded terrace for higher rainfall areas that need safe drainage, or a narrow orchard terrace for fruit trees on steep land. This is why (A), type of bench terrace, is one of the core design decisions.

Step 2: Next comes terrace spacing, the vertical interval between one terrace and the next down the slope. This spacing is worked out from the land slope, the soil depth, and the permissible cut and fill, so each terraced strip stays at a workable width. This is (B).

Step 3: The third design element is the terrace cross section, meaning the shape and dimensions of the cut and fill, the batter (side slope) of the riser, and where needed, the size of the shoulder bund and drainage channel. This is (C).

Step 4: Terrace length and terrace alignment, statements (D) and (E), are laid out on the ground afterwards, fitted to the field boundaries and the natural contour of the land, rather than being computed design quantities like spacing and cross section. So they are not counted among the core design determinations here.

Step 5: The three genuine design elements are (A) type, (B) spacing and (C) cross section, so the correct choice is option 1.