What is the term used when dirt is disturbed causing an increase in soil quantity?

The term used when dirt is disturbed, resulting in an increase in soil quantity, is known as bulking or soil swell. This phenomenon occurs when soil, particularly granular or loose soil, is disturbed, causing its particles to rearrange and occupy more space. The process of bulking can lead to an increase in volume due to air pockets and the loosening of soil particles that were previously compacted together. This can be particularly significant when considering excavation and hauling operations, as it affects the amount of soil that will need to be transported.

In contrast, other terms like compaction refer to the process of reducing the volume of soil by applying pressure, thus decreasing soil quantity, while dewatering involves the removal of water from soil or a construction site. Excavation specifically refers to the act of removing earth, but it does not inherently imply an increase in soil volume—rather it typically involves the displacement of soil without changing its overall quantity. Bulking, therefore, aptly describes the increase in soil volume due to disturbance.