What is the original soil volume in its undisturbed state referred to as?

• A. Bank Soil
• B. Fill Soil
• C. Compacted Soil
• D. Loose Soil

Answer: (A)

The term that describes the original soil volume in its undisturbed state is referred to as "bank soil." This designation is used to define soil that is measured in its natural, in-situ condition before any excavation, disturbance, or modification has occurred. Bank soil retains its natural structure and density, which is critical for many engineering calculations and assessments, particularly those related to excavation and site grading.

Understanding the concept of bank soil is important for civil engineering practices, including calculating soil volumes for earthwork, determining the load-bearing capacity of the ground, or analyzing the stability of slopes and embankments. When soil is disturbed, and it is then compacted or used as fill, it will exhibit different properties compared to its original state.

The other choices refer to conditions of soil that indicate either modified state (like fill soil or compacted soil) or loosely packed conditions (as in loose soil), which would not represent the undisturbed state critically needed when assessing earthwork concerns.