Mass Haul Diagram

Mass Haul Diagram

The Mass Diagram:
The mass-Haul diagram is a graphical representation of the amount of earthworks involved in a
highway. It shows accumulated volume at any point along the center line.
(+) cut (excavation).
( - ) fill (embankment).

Profile

Mass diagram
Characteristics of MHD
• Diagrammatic representation of earthwork volumes along a linear profile.
• Horizontal stationing is plotted along the X-axis
• Net earthwork values are plotted along the Y-axis
• Net cut values are plotted above the X- axis (positive Y value)
• Net fill values are plotted below the X - axis (negative Y value)
• Presents a picture of the earthwork requirements.
• Upward sloping curves indicate (rising left to right) indicate a cut
• Downward sloping (falling left to right) curves occur in a fill section
• Peaks indicate a change from cut to fill and valleys occur when the earthwork
changes from fill to cut.
• The cumulated volume of earthwork at the horizontal axis (Y=0) is 0.

• When a horizontal line intersects two or more points along the curve, the
accumulated volumes at those points are equal.
• A negative value at the end of the curve indicates that borrow is required to
complete the fill.

• A positive value at the end of the curve indicates that a waste operation will
be the net result.
 SAMPLE 1
CUMULATIVE VOLUME , m3

(+) CUT (+) WASTE

CHAINAGE, m
(-) FILL

SAMPLE 2
CUMULATIVE VOLUME , m3

(+) CUT CHAINAGE, m

(-) FILL (-) BORROW

Definitions:
Free-Haul Distance (FHD): distance earth is moved without additional money

Over-Haul Distance (OHD) : volume of material (Y) moved X Stations beyond Free haul

Limit of Economical Haul Distance (LEHD):

Borrow – material take from outside of project

Waste – excavated material not used in project

Y
X
 Limit of Economical Haul Distance (LEHD):
Free-Haul Distance

Economic Haul Limit (LEHD) = FHD + L

Overhaul: Is the number of cubic meters (yards) of overhauled material
multiplied by the overhaul distance, this distance is measured between the
center of gravity of cut and fill (i.e. m3*station or yd3*mile).

Haul = volume of earthwork * distance moved

Limit of Economic Haul (L.E.H.) =
Freehaul Distance (F.H.D.) + Economic Overhaul Distance(Limit)
(O.H.D.)
Economic Overhaul Distance = Cost of Borrow / Cost of Overhaul

Free haul: Distance with which there is a fixed price for excavating, hauling,
and dumping regardless of the distance moved.
 Shrinkage and Swell
Shrinkage or swell factor: It is well known that one cubic meter of excavation
on amount will not occupies exactly 1 m3 of space in the fill, so adjusting is
required. This can be done by using the shrinkage or swell factor.
 Analysis of MHD
•Assume a free haul distance and find by trial a horizontal line to intersect the
curve at A and C such that the length of line AC equals the assumed free haul
distance. The quantity of material above line AC will be hauled at no extra cost.
Off note is the fact that this material is a measure of ordinate from line AC to point
B and it is the volume of material to be cut from ab to be filled in bc.
•Considering the volume of material above the balance line OD. A study of the
mass haul and the corresponding profile shows that the cut from o to b makes the
fill b to d. Since the part above line AC is included in the free haul, the remaining
part between line OD and AC which is measured by the ordinate AA’ is subjected
to overhaul unless wastage and borrow takes place that is the excavation from C to
A may be overhauled to make the fill CD.
•The average distance of overhaul of the material o to a to make the fill a to c is the
distance between the center of gravity of cut o to a and fill c to d.
• The approximate gravity lines are found as follows
Bisect AA’ at M and draw a horizontal line intersecting the curve at H and J. These points
are assumed to be vertically below the desired center of gravity. Therefore, the average haul
distance is given by the distance HJ and the over haul distance can be obtained by
subtracting the free haul distance. Overhaul distance = HJ – AC