Example 3:

A 1200-m section of a proposed highway, and the earthwork distribution in this section is to be
planned without regard to the adjoining sections. The table below shows the stations and the
surface levels along the centre-line, the formation level being at an elevation above datum of 43.5
m at chainage 70 and thence rising uniformly on a gradient of 1.2%. The volumes are recorded in
m3, the cuts are plus and fills minus.
1. Plot the longitudinal profile
2. Assuming a shrinkage of 20% applicable to fills, plot the MHD
Difference Corrected Accumulated
Ground Volume Roadway
Station in elevations fill volumes
level (m) (m3) level (m)
(m) (m3) (m3)
70 52.8 43.5 9.3 0
+1860
71 57.3 44.7 12.6 +1860
+1525
72 53.4 45.9 7.5 +3385
+547
73 47.1 47.1 0 +3932
-158 -190
74 44.7 48.3 -3.6 +3742
-720 -864
75 39.7 49.5 -9.8 +2878
-1350 -1620
76 37.5 50.7 -13.2 +1258
-1407 -1688
77 41.5 51.9 -10.4 -430
-747 -896
78 49.5 53.1 -3.6 -1326
-158 -190
79 54.3 54.3 0 -1516
+362
80 60.9 55.5 5.4 -1154
+724
81 62.1 56.7 5.4 -430
+430
82 78.5 57.9 20.6 0
Solution:

Profile
85

80
Ground level (m)
75
Roadway level (m)
70

65
Elevation (m)

60

55

50

45

40

35

30
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
Distance

MHD
5000

4000
Accumulated Volumes (m3)

3000

2000

1000

0
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82

-1000
Distance

-2000