What is it called when moisture is drawn up by capillary action to the surface of the material being compacted?

What is it called when moisture is drawn up by capillary action to the surface of the material being compacted?

• A. Bleeding
• B. Wicking
• C. Leaching
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (A)

Moisture moving upward to the surface because of capillary action during compaction is known as bleeding. As the soil grains rearrange and close some voids, capillary forces pull pore water upward, and it appears at the surface as a damp film or sheen. This is different from evaporation (water leaving the surface to the air), leaching (water moving downward and carrying dissolved materials), or wicking (moisture traveling along a path or through a wick). Bleeding is the term that specifically describes the upward surface moisture caused by capillary rise in this context.

Moisture moving upward to the surface because of capillary action during compaction is known as bleeding. As the soil grains rearrange and close some voids, capillary forces pull pore water upward, and it appears at the surface as a damp film or sheen. This is different from evaporation (water leaving the surface to the air), leaching (water moving downward and carrying dissolved materials), or wicking (moisture traveling along a path or through a wick). Bleeding is the term that specifically describes the upward surface moisture caused by capillary rise in this context.