Soil that has been excavated and stockpiled is considered to be in a ___________ state.

When soil is excavated from its original location and stockpiled, it undergoes a change in its structure and density. In its natural state, soil is consolidated in the ground, typically exhibiting natural moisture content and compaction due to overlying weight. However, once the soil is excavated, it loses this overburden pressure and becomes loose, which means its particles are less densely packed together.

The loose state of stockpiled soil is significant because it affects various properties such as moisture retention, compaction potential, and behavior during handling and use in construction. Stockpiled soil is more susceptible to erosion and may require re-compaction when it is placed back into service. In contrast, options like "natural," "bank," and "compacted" do not accurately describe the condition of soil after excavation and stockpiling, as natural refers to its in-situ condition, bank often pertains to the volume measurement of soil before excavation, and compacted indicates that the soil has been compressed, contrary to its stockpiled state.