What is the main characteristic of saturated soil?

The main characteristic of saturated soil is that the voids, or the spaces between the soil particles, are filled with water. When soil is saturated, it has absorbed as much water as it can hold, which often occurs when it has been subjected to heavy rainfall or flooding. This condition is significant for excavator operators, as saturated soil can impact stability and excavation methods. Understanding soil saturation is critical for determining the safe operation of excavation equipment, as it affects both the strength of the soil and the risk of equipment sinking or destabilizing.

The other options describe conditions that do not represent saturation. If the voids are filled with air, the soil is unsaturated; being completely dry indicates there is no moisture content; and frozen soil refers to a state where water within the soil is solidified, which is not the same as saturation.