CIVL 361

Earthwork
Dr. Mehmet M. Kunt
Fall 2009
EMU
 Earthwork
Always Transportation Construction
Projects involve earthwork
Objective is usually the minimization of
earthwork
Earthwork Cross-Sections
 Example Cut and Fill
EXCAVATION (CUT)

EMBANKMENT
(FILL)
 Terrain Effects on Route Location

Dont forget your design

criteria (grades, etc)
Attempt to minimize amount
of earthwork necessary
Set grade line as close as
possible to natural ground level
Set grade line so there is a
http://www.agtek.com/highway.htm
balance between excavated
volume and volume of
embankment

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 Earthwork Cross-Sections

Slopes:
Cut-excavation <45 vertical component is unitary 1:2
>45 horizontal component is unitary 5:1
Fill-embankment Note: Cut and fill slopes are always flatter
than 1:1
Cross-Section Data Format
Cross-Section
Cross-Section
Cross-Section Area Example
Cross-Section Area Example
Cross-Section Area
Cross-Section Area
Ref: IGRDS Chapter-7
Ref: IGRDS Chapter-7
Area Calculation
Area Calculation
Area Calculation
 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Area Calculation

In this formula, W is the width of the highway; hl and hr, are the vertical distances of the left and
right slope stakes above grade; dl and dr are the center-line distances of the left and right slope
stakes; and C is the depth of the center-line cut or fill. Applying the formula for station 305 + 00, you
get the following results:

A = (40/4)(8.2+ 12.3)+ (9.3/2)(29.8+ 35.3)= 507.71 square feet.

 Earthwork Analysis
Take cross-sections (typically 25 m)
Plot natural ground level
Plot proposed grade profile
Indicate areas of cut and fill
Calculate volume between cross-sections

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Earthwork Quantities
Earthwork computations involve:
Calculation of earthwork
volumes
Balancing of cuts and fills
Planning of the most
economical material hauls.
 Shrinkage
Material volume increases during
excavation
Decreases during compaction
Varies with
soil type
fill height
cut depth

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 Swell
Excavated rock used in embankment
occupies more space
May amount to 30% or more

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 Shrinkage factors of 15 to 20% and a
bulkage factor of 25%
Ref: Florida Department of Transportation
Summary of Final Report, WPI# 0510796
January 1999
 Mass Diagram
Earthmoving is basically an operation where
material is removed from high spots and
deposited in low spots with the making up
of any deficit with borrow or the wasting of
excess cut material.
 Mass Diagram
The mass diagram is an excellent method of
analyzing linear earthmoving operations.
It is a graphical means for measuring haul
distance (stations) in terms of earthwork
volume (cubic yards).
 Mass Diagram
Aids in identifying:
Where to utilize specific types of
equipment,
Where quantities of material are required,
Average haul distance,
Haul grades.
 Earthwork

0+00
The horizontal
dimensions of a
project are
dimensioned in .
0m
stations. One station 10
equals 100m.

1+00
 Special Terms
Free haul distance (FHD)- distance earth is moved without
additional compensation
Limit of Profitable Haul (LPH) - distance beyond which it is
more economical to borrow or waste than to haul from the
project
Overhaul volume of material (Y) moved X Stations beyond
Free haul, measured in stayd3 or sta-m3
Borrow material taken from outside of project
Waste excavated material not used in project

43
Ref: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/CH3.htm
Ref: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/CH3.htm
Ref: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/CH3.htm
Ref: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/CH3.htm
 Between Stations
0 + 00 and 0 +
132, cut and fill
equal each other,
distance is less
than FHD of 200
m

Note: definitely
NOT to scale!

50
Source: Wright 1996
 Between Stations 0 +
132 and 0 + 907, cut
and fill equal each
other, but distance is
greater than either
FHD of 200 m or LPH
of 725 m
Distance =
[0 + 907] [0 + 132] =
775 m

Source: Wright, 1996

51
 Between Stations 0 +
179 and 0 + 379, cut
and fill equal each
other, distance = FHD
of 200 m
Treated as freehaul

Source: Wright, 1996

52
 Between Stations 0 +
142 and 0+
867, cut and fill
equal each other,
distance = LPH of
725 m

Source: Wright, 1996

53
Material between Stations 0 + 132 and 0 + 142
becomes waste and material between stations 0 + 867
and 0 +907 becomes borrow
Source: Wright, 1996
54
Between Stations 0 + 970 and 1 + 170, cut and
fill equal each other, distance = FHD of 200 m

Source: Wright, 1996

55
Between Stations 0 + 960 and 1 + 250, cut and
fill equal each other, distance is less than LPH
of 725 m

Source: Wright, 1996

56
Project ends at Station 1 + 250, an additional
1200 m3 of borrow is required

Source: Wright, 1996

57
 Example Cut and Fill
As material is moved from the
excavation

to the compacted fill the only

factor that is constant is the
weight of the solid particles (d).