Estimating Practice Exam

The concept of 'swell factor' is related to which process?

1. Measuring excavated soil density

2. The increase in volume of soil after excavation

3. Calculating fill material quantity

4. Reduction in soil volume upon compaction

The correct answer is: The increase in volume of soil after excavation

The swell factor refers specifically to the increase in volume that occurs when soil is excavated. When soil is removed from its original location, it expands or "swells," which is due to the loosening of the soil particles when they are disturbed. This phenomenon is essential to understand for effective estimating and planning in construction projects, as it directly impacts how much excavated soil will occupy once it is removed from the ground. When calculating how much soil will need to be accounted for once excavated, using the swell factor allows estimators to predict correctly the volume of soil that will be transported or used in fill applications. By knowing the swell factor, one can adjust original volume measurements taken in a compacted state to arrive at accurate estimates of the volume that will result post-excavation. While the other answers relate to soil and excavation, they do not encapsulate the specific increase in volume associated with the excavation process, which is the essence of the swell factor.