How is a load factor calculated?

The calculation of the load factor is an essential concept in understanding how much material is actually moved during excavations or similar operations as compared to the volume of material in its original state.

The load factor is derived by comparing the bank volume (the original volume of material before excavation) to the total volume of material once it has been altered due to expansion or decompression—often represented by the swell percentage. The formula using the bank volume to derive the load factor is calculated by taking the bank volume and dividing it by the sum of the bank volume and the swell percentage. This provides a ratio that reflects the efficiency of the excavation process and the material's expansion behavior.

By using this method, the load factor provides insight into how much additional volume is expected once the material is disturbed, which is crucial for planning and budgeting in construction projects. This factors into how much material needs to be moved to achieve the desired outcomes on a job site.

When assessing the other choices, they either inaccurately relate bank volume with swell percentage or do not reflect the relationship needed to derive a meaningful load factor. Thus, the accepted method of dividing bank volume by the total of bank volume plus swell percentage is the correct calculation for determining the load factor.