Estimating Practice Exam

True or False: Excavated soil occupies less space after excavation.

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on the soil type

4. Only if it is compacted

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because excavated soil tends to occupy more space after excavation due to the disturbance and release of compaction that occurs during the excavation process. When soil is excavated, it is often removed from its compacted state and becomes loose. This loosening increases the volume of the soil because the particles are no longer tightly packed together. In its natural state, soil is subject to various forces that help keep it compact. Once excavated, the soil grains can separate, leading to an increase in volume, or an expansion, which is often referred to as swell. This phenomenon means that the loose soil can occupy more space compared to when it was compacted in the ground. While the volume may fluctuate based on the type of soil—such as clay, sand, or silt—and its moisture content, the essential principle here is that excavated soil, in general, does not reduce in size; rather, its volume increases as a result of being disturbed and becoming less dense.