During a cut and fill operation, the contractor discovers that the cut material has a swell factor of 25%. If 1,000 cubic yards of material needs to be removed in-place, how many cubic yards of hauling capacity will be required?
Correct Answer
B) 1,250 cubic yards
With a 25% swell factor, the material expands when excavated. 1,000 cubic yards × 1.25 = 1,250 cubic yards of loose material to haul.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
When soil is excavated from its natural state, it expands due to the loosening of particles and introduction of air voids. A 25% swell factor means the material increases in volume by 25% when disturbed. To calculate hauling capacity, you multiply the in-place volume by (1 + swell factor percentage): 1,000 × 1.25 = 1,250 cubic yards. This represents the actual loose volume that trucks must transport.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option C: 1,000 cubic yards
1,000 cubic yards is the in-place volume before excavation. This ignores the swell factor entirely and would result in insufficient hauling capacity.
Option D: 800 cubic yards
800 cubic yards represents a 20% shrinkage (1,000 × 0.8), which would be the compacted volume, not the loose hauling volume. This confuses shrinkage with swell.
Memory Technique
Think 'SWELL = SELL more trucks' - when soil swells, you need to SELL (buy/rent) more hauling capacity than the original in-place volume.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Earthwork and Excavation' or 'Soil Volume Changes' in construction management references, typically found in site work or excavation chapters.
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