A hazardous soil condition where unconfined, water-saturated sand loses its shear strength and flows freely into a trench or pit. It occurs when groundwater pressure forces the sand particles apart, making the ground highly unstable and prone to sudden collapse.
Heard on the job
We hit running sand at ten feet, so bring in the wellpoint system to dewater the trench before we dig any deeper.
Insider tip
Never enter an unshored trench in running sand; it can fill the excavation and trap workers in seconds.
Also heard as
- quicksand