Civil Earthmoving Engineering StandardsUpdated for 2026Commercial Grade

Excavation Soil Swell & Dump Truck Load Estimator

Calculate bank cubic yards (BCY) to loose cubic yards (LCY) with soil expansion swell factors, and determine the number of 10-yard or 15-yard dump truck loads.

Regional Market Calibration:Adjusts trade labor, concrete mix, and building codes to local city averages.

Popular Dimension Presets:

Engineered Slab Cutaway Cross-Section (ACI 302)Slab Thickness: 4" Commercial Grade

Cross-section demonstrates structural reinforcement elevation on concrete chairs per ACI 302.

Project Dimensions & Material Inputs

Excavation Length(ft)

Excavation Width(ft)

Excavation Depth(ft)

Soil Class & Swell Factor

Dump Truck Hauling Capacity

Loose Excavated Dirt Volume

111 Loose Cubic Yards (88.9 Bank Yards in Ground)

Dump Truck Haul Loads

10 Loads (12 yd³ Tandem Trucks) | 25% Swell

Contractor Bill of Materials (BOM) Breakdown

Item / Material Spec	Quantity	Unit / Package	Installation Notes
Excavated Spoil Material (Common Earth / Loam)	111	Loose Yards	Expanded from 88.9 bank cubic yards (BCY)
Tandem Dump Truck Disposal Hauls (12 yd³/load)	10	Truck Loads	Standard commercial earthwork hauling
Excavator Machine Rental Allowance	1	Mini Excavator	3.5 to 5-ton track machine with tooth bucket

Estimated Project Cost Range (DIY vs. Turnkey Contractor)

National Average

DIY Raw Materials Only

$1,400 – $2,100

Cost of raw lumber, concrete, shingles, wire, or stone without equipment rentals or labor.

Licensed Contractor Turnkey

$3,378 – $5,156

Full installation: permits, site prep, skilled trade labor, equipment, and structural warranty.

Estimated Sweat Equity

~$2,517

Average trade labor savings if executed as a skilled DIY homeowner project.

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Skip the heavy equipment rentals, structural liabilities, and municipal permit delays. Connect directly with pre-screened, licensed, and insured trade specialists in National Average.

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Bank Cubic Yards (BCY) to Loose Cubic Yards (LCY) Formula

Rendering formula...

Earthwork Swell Math for 30' × 20' × 4' Trench Pit

Bank Measure in Ground (BCY) = (30' × 20' × 4') ÷ 27 = 88.9 cubic yards.
Soil Type Expansion Factor (Common Earth / Loam) = 25% expansion upon digging.
Loose Measure for Hauling (LCY) = 88.9 BCY × 1.25 = 111 loose cubic yards.
Truckload Logistics = 111 LCY ÷ 12 yards per truck = 10 tandem truckloads.

Engineering Tip: In National Average, soil stockpiled on site requires silt fencing around the pile perimeter to satisfy municipal stormwater runoff ordinances.

Quick Reference Sizing & Coverage Table

Standard commercial specifications and pre-calculated project benchmarks.

Pre-Calculated

Excavation In-Ground (BCY)	Soil Type	Loose Volume to Haul (LCY)	Dump Truck Loads (12-yd)	Pro Haul-Off & Disposal Cost
25 BCY (Garage Footing)	Loam (25% swell)	31.25 LCY	3 Loads	$950 – $1,500
50 BCY (Small Pool)	Loam (25% swell)	62.50 LCY	6 Loads	$1,800 – $2,800
114 BCY (Standard Pool)	Heavy Clay (35% swell)	153.90 LCY	13 Loads	$3,900 – $5,800
350 BCY (Full Basement)	Dense Clay (35% swell)	472.50 LCY	40 Loads	$9,500 – $14,500

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P Excavations

OSHA 1926 Subpart P Trench & Soil Classification

Excavations 5 feet or deeper mandate protective systems (sloping, shoring, or trench shield boxes) based on OSHA Soil Class (Type A cemented soils, Type B silt/loam, or Type C gravel/sand). Excavated spoil piles must be placed at least 2 feet back from trench edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Bank Cubic Yards and Loose Cubic Yards?

Bank Cubic Yards (BCY) is the measurement of soil compacted in its natural state underground. Loose Cubic Yards (LCY) is the volume after digging, which expands significantly because air is introduced between particles.

How much does soil expand when excavated?

Sand expands by 10% to 15%, common loam and topsoil expands by 20% to 25%, and dense wet clay can expand by 35% to 40%.

How many cubic yards can a standard dump truck haul?

A standard tandem axle dump truck carries 10 to 12 loose cubic yards. A large tri-axle dump truck carries 14 to 16 loose yards, and a tractor-trailer end dump carries 20 to 24 yards.

How much does it cost to have dirt hauled away?

Dirt hauling and tipping disposal fees typically cost between $150 and $300 per dump truck load, or roughly $15 to $25 per loose cubic yard.

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