Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator
Bank → loose → compacted volume conversions for earthmoving.
100 bank m³ = 125 in trucks but only ~90 in the fill — you LOSE both ways. Truck counts, borrow quantities and royalty payments each use a different one of these three volumes; contracts that don't say which, end in court.
Formula
Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator is a free swell factor for geotechnical engineers and foundation designers — instant, accurate and 100% client-side, with the governing formula and reference shown next to the result so the number can be defended, not just quoted.
About Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator
Bank → loose → compacted volume conversions for earthmoving. The calculation implements loose = bank×(1+swell); compacted = bank×(1−shrink) (Caterpillar Performance Handbook). 100 bank m³ = 125 in trucks but only ~90 in the fill — you LOSE both ways. Truck counts, borrow quantities and royalty payments each use a different one of these three volumes; contracts that don't say which, end in court.
How to use Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator
- 1Enter Bank (in-situ) volume in m³.
- 2Enter Swell in % (Sand 12 · earth 25 · clay 30 · blasted rock 50).
- 3Enter Compaction shrinkage in % (vs bank: earth fills ~10–15%).
- 4Read Loose (hauled) volume, Compacted fill it makes, Load factor instantly — no submit button needed.
- 5Need US units? Flip the SI/Imperial toggle and every field converts.
Why use Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator?
- ✓Implements the standard formula — loose = bank×(1+swell); compacted = bank×(1−shrink)
- ✓Reference cited on-page: Caterpillar Performance Handbook
- ✓One-click SI ⇄ Imperial toggle — values convert in place, physics stays in SI
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser — nothing uploaded, free forever
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator use?+
It computes loose = bank×(1+swell); compacted = bank×(1−shrink), per Caterpillar Performance Handbook. The formula is displayed under the result.
What should I keep in mind when using this calculator?+
100 bank m³ = 125 in trucks but only ~90 in the fill — you LOSE both ways. Truck counts, borrow quantities and royalty payments each use a different one of these three volumes; contracts that don't say which, end in court.
Can this replace a soil investigation?+
No calculator replaces boreholes and lab tests — but with investigated parameters in hand, this gives you the standard-method result instantly, with the formula shown so reviewers can check it.
Is the Soil Swell & Shrink Factor Calculator free to use?+
Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no limits. It runs client-side in your browser, so inputs stay private and results are instant even on slow connections.
Related Engineering tools
Reynolds Number Calculator
Compute Re from density, velocity, pipe diameter and viscosity — with instant laminar/turbulent classification.
● LiveLaminar vs Turbulent Flow Classifier
Classify hydraulic-oil or process-fluid flow regime from kinematic viscosity, line velocity and tube bore.
● LiveBernoulli Equation Solver
Solve downstream pressure between two points from velocities, elevations and fluid density (ideal, lossless).
● Live