When soil is said to be in "bank-measure," what state is it in?

When soil is described as being in "bank-measure," it refers to the condition where the soil is in its natural, undisturbed state, as it exists in the ground before any excavation or disturbance occurs. This means that the soil hasn’t been compacted or loosened through human activity, nor has it been transported from its original location.

In bank-measure, the volume of soil is considered in the state it occupies naturally, which is important in engineering and construction because it serves as a basis for volume calculations, material estimations, and understanding the soil's characteristics for projects.

This natural condition contrasts with the other states mentioned: compacted and usable state would imply alterations and modifications to the soil; loose and disturbed state indicates that the soil has been excavated or manipulated; and transported and relocated state suggests that the soil has been moved from its original location, which would change both its volume and properties. Understanding soil in its bank-measure state helps professionals in civil engineering and surveying accurately assess the material they are working with.