Marble chips are an example of which paving category?

• A. Hardscape paving
• B. Softscape paving
• C. Subsurface paving
• D. Structural paving

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is distinguishing paving materials by whether they create a soft, non-structural ground cover versus a solid, load-bearing surface. Marble chips are used as a loose decorative layer on the soil surface, often around plants or in light-use paths. They don’t form a continuous, rigid surface or provide structural support, and they allow water to infiltrate and roots to breathe. That makes them fit into softscape paving.

In contrast, hardscape paving refers to solid, durable surfaces like concrete or stone that carry weight; subsurface paving relates to layers beneath the surface, and structural paving involves the load-bearing framework.