BUILDREFS Free Tools

Swell-Shrink & Truckload Calculator

Convert bank cubic yards to loose and compacted volumes. Estimate truck loads needed for haul-off using material-specific swell and shrink factors.

Material Type

Swell: +25% | Shrink: −10%

Bank Volume (in-ground)

Truck Size

The Three States

Bank (BCY): Material in its natural, undisturbed state in the ground.
Loose (LCY): After excavation — soil expands due to air voids.
Compacted (CCY): After placement and compaction — typically less than bank.

Conversion Factors

Material	Swell	Shrink
Common Earth	+25%	−10%
Clay	+30%	−15%
Dry Sand	+12%	−5%
Gravel	+12%	−3%
Blasted Rock	+50%	+30%
Mixed Fill	+20%	−10%

Shrink values are vs. bank volume. Rock gains volume after blasting.

Field Tips

• Always haul by loose volume — that's what fills the truck.
• Add 10% to truck loads for spills and rejects.
• Shrink factor varies with compaction effort (lifts, passes, moisture).
• Rock swell is permanent — it never returns to bank volume.

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