Excavation Volume Calculator
Bank vs. Loose Density Sizing
Earthwork Material Output
Volume Class
Cubic Feet (ft³)
Cubic Yards (yd³)
Required Material / Loads
Bank Volume (Undisturbed)
4,000 ft³
Bank Cubic Yards (BCY)
148.1 BCY
Loose Spoil Volume (+Swell)
4,600 ft³
Loose Cubic Yards (LCY)
170.4 LCY
Compacted Backfill (-Compaction)
3,400 ft³
Dump Truck Loads Needed
18 Loads
Soil Swell advisory: Loose dirt swells by 22.2 yd³ from bank excavation.
✔ EARTHWORK STABLE
Understanding Soil Swell and Compaction
Experienced site superintendents know that dirt occupies different physical space depending on its compaction state:
Key Volume Equations:
Bank Volume (BCY) = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27
Loose Volume (LCY) = Bank Volume × (1 + (Swell% ÷ 100))
Compacted Volume (CCY) = Bank Volume × (1 - (Compaction% ÷ 100))
Dump Truck Loads = Ceil( Loose Volume (LCY) ÷ Truck Capacity )
Bank Volume (BCY) = (Length × Width × Depth) ÷ 27
Loose Volume (LCY) = Bank Volume × (1 + (Swell% ÷ 100))
Compacted Volume (CCY) = Bank Volume × (1 - (Compaction% ÷ 100))
Dump Truck Loads = Ceil( Loose Volume (LCY) ÷ Truck Capacity )
Standard Soil Density & Swell Chart
| Soil Classification | Swell Factor % | Compaction Shrink % | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Sand / Gravel | 10% - 15% | 10% - 15% | Backfilling slabs, foundation drainage. |
| Common Earth / Topsoil | 15% - 20% | 15% - 20% | Standard residential lawn & general site prep. |
| Heavy Clay | 20% - 25% | 20% - 25% | Ponds, structural sub-bases. High expansion danger. |
| Hard Rock / Blast Spoil | 30% - 40% | 0% (Varies) | Rock fill layers, retaining walls. Very high swell. |