What does the presence of tension cracks indicate about the soil near an excavation?

The presence of tension cracks around an excavation site indicates that the soil is exhibiting signs of instability or stress. When soil is under tension, it can create fissures or cracks, which are a visual cue of the soil's failure to maintain its structural integrity. Tension cracks can develop as a result of various factors, such as excavation activities, which alter the load distribution on the surrounding soil. These cracks are particularly indicative of loose or poorly consolidated materials, which are prone to shifting or collapsing under stress. Therefore, when observing tension cracks, it is essential to understand that this is a sign of potentially problematic soil behavior, emphasizing the importance of stability assessments and proper excavation techniques to mitigate risks.

The other options, while they might deal with aspects of soil behavior, do not directly connect to the specific implication of tension cracks in the context of an excavation. Layered soil and granular soil don't inherently indicate tension without the presence of additional factors. Stable ground, on the other hand, would not be associated with tension cracks since a stable environment would maintain soil cohesion without the creation of such fractures.