What is the term for the reduction of backfill during the backfilling process?

The term "shrinkage" refers specifically to the reduction in volume of backfill material during the backfilling process, often due to factors such as moisture loss, changes in temperature, or the natural settling of the material over time. When backfill is placed in an excavation, it may initially occupy a larger volume, but as the material dries out or settles, its overall volume can decrease. This shrinkage can impact the stability and integrity of the backfill, making it an important factor to consider in excavation and grading practices.

Other terms such as settlement or compaction might involve processes related to the positioning and stability of the backfill but do not specifically indicate a reduction in volume attributable to those processes. Settlement might refer more broadly to the downward movement of the ground due to various factors, while compaction involves the process of increasing the density of the soil. Consolidation relates to the gradual reduction in volume due to the expulsion of water from the soil's voids under pressure but does not specifically address the backfilling process in the same context as shrinkage does.