Can compacting fill soil to 95% be used instead of allowing the fill to settle for one year?

Compacting fill soil to 95% achieves a high level of density, which can be beneficial for stability; however, it does not fully substitute for a natural settlement process that allows soil to equilibrate over time. When fill is compacted, it can still experience further consolidation, particularly over wet seasons or under additional loading, which could lead to differential settlement and potential structural issues later on.

Allowing the fill to settle for an extended period enables natural processes—like moisture content changes and soil particle rearrangement— to occur, further enhancing stability. This is especially important in areas with high clay content or variable soil conditions, as these soils may behave unpredictably when disturbed.

While compaction can help mitigate some immediate settling issues, the natural settling process is crucial for true long-term stability and performance of the soil beneath structures. Therefore, relying solely on compaction without allowing for settling introduces risk that could lead to future problems.