Estimating Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a necessary adjustment made during excavation?

1. Recalibration of equipment

2. Calculation of swell factor

3. Evaluation of subcontractor bids

4. Surveying land boundaries

The correct answer is: Calculation of swell factor

The necessary adjustment made during excavation that is best described by the correct answer involves the calculation of the swell factor. When soil is excavated, it often expands or 'swells' due to the loss of confinement and changes in moisture content. This phenomenon must be accounted for when estimating the amount of material that will need to be removed and the space required for it. Understanding the swell factor is crucial because it allows for accurate estimations of the volume of soil that will be excavated, ensuring that planning and resources are aligned with what will actually be encountered on site. In contrast, recalibration of equipment focuses on ensuring machinery is functioning correctly but does not directly adjust for changes in material properties during excavation. Evaluating subcontractor bids is a process that pertains to selecting contractors rather than addressing physical adjustments on site, and surveying land boundaries is typically done prior to excavation to define property limits but does not pertain to adjustments made during the excavation process itself. Therefore, the calculation of the swell factor is essential for accurate excavation planning and execution.