During excavation for a building foundation, the contractor discovers the cut material has 15% swell. If 800 cubic yards of material needs to be removed in place, how many cubic yards will need to be hauled away?
Correct Answer
C) 920 cubic yards
When soil is excavated, it expands (swells) due to loosening. With 15% swell, the hauled volume = 800 × 1.15 = 920 cubic yards. The contractor must plan for hauling more material than the in-place volume.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
When soil is excavated and disturbed, it naturally expands or 'swells' due to the loosening of compacted particles and the introduction of air voids. A 15% swell means the excavated material will occupy 15% more volume than it did in its original, compacted state. To calculate the hauled volume, you multiply the in-place volume by the swell factor: 800 cubic yards × 1.15 = 920 cubic yards. This is critical for contractors to understand for proper truck scheduling and disposal planning.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 696 cubic yards
This answer incorrectly applies shrinkage instead of swell. 696 cubic yards would result from 800 × 0.87 (13% shrinkage), which is the opposite of what happens during excavation.
Option B: 800 cubic yards
This assumes no volume change occurs during excavation, which is incorrect. Excavated soil always swells due to loosening and air incorporation, so the hauled volume will always be greater than the in-place volume.
Option D: 1,040 cubic yards
This answer uses an incorrect swell factor of 30% (800 × 1.30 = 1,040). While soil does swell when excavated, 15% swell means multiplying by 1.15, not 1.30.
Memory Technique
Remember 'SWELL = SELL MORE TRUCKS' - when soil swells, you need to sell (hire) more trucks because there's more volume to haul away than you dug up.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Earthwork and Excavation' or 'Soil Properties' chapters in construction reference materials, specifically sections on soil swell and shrinkage factors.
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