“And let us not grow weary of doing good,

for in due season we will reap the harvest,

if we do not give up.”
— Gal. 6:9
 CHAPTER 4
EARTHWORK
VOLUME
COMPUTATION
TYPICAL CROSS-SECTIONS FOR A ROADBED
DIFFERENT METHODS FOR SECTION
AREA COMPUTATION

1. Counting squares method

2. Geometric method (geometry
of trapezoids and triangles)
3. Stripper method
4. Double-meridian-distance
method
5. Coordinate method
DIFFERENT METHODS OF
EARTHWORK VOLUME COMPUTATION

1. END AREA METHOD

2. USING PRISMOIDAL FORMULA
3. VOLUME WITH PRISMOIDAL
CORRECTION
4. VOLUME WITH CURVATURE
CORRECTION
1. END AREA METHOD
1. END AREA METHOD

VE
2. PRISMOIDAL FORMULA
3. WITH PRISMOIDAL CORRECTION
4. VOLUME WITH CURVATURE CORRECTION
Example Problems:
1. The cross section notes of the ground surface at
sta 5 + 100 of a road survey shows that the ground
is sloping at a 20% grade downward to the right.
The elevation of the ground along the centerline of
the proposed road at this station is 140 m. and that
of the finished subgrade is 143 m. Width of
subgrade is 10.00 m. with side slopes 1.5:1.
a. Compute the distance of the right slope stake
from the center of the road.
b. Compute the distance of the left slope stake from
the center of the road.
c. Compute the difference in elevation of the right
slope stake and the left slope stake.
d. Calculate the Section area bounded by the road
subgrade, side slopes and the ground line.
1. The cross section notes
of the ground surface at Solution: CL
sta 5 + 100 of a road 20% Slope
survey shows that the a. By Ratio and Proportion: 1.5hL 5m. 5m. El. 143m.
ground is sloping at a hL
20% grade downward to ℎ𝑅 −3 20 1.5hR
the right. The elevation of
= = 0.20 3m.
5+1.5ℎ𝑅 100
the ground along the El. 140m. 3 - hL hR
centerline of the hR – 3 = 1.0 + 0.30hR 5 + 1.5hL
proposed road at this
station is 140 m. and that hR = 5.714 m. hR - 3
of the finished subgrade
is 143 m. Width of Distance of Right slope stake from the
Sta 5 + 100 5 + 1.5hR
subgrade is 10.00 m. with center of the road = 5 + 1.5hR
side slopes 1.5:1.
Distance of Right slope stake = 5 + 1.5 (5.714)
a. Compute the distance of
the right slope stake from Distance of Right slope stake = 13.57 m.
the center of the road.
b. Compute the distance of b. By Ratio and Proportion (left side):
the left slope stake from
the center of the road. 3 − ℎ𝐿 20 Distance of Left slope stake from the
c. Compute the difference = = 0.20
5+1.5ℎ𝐿 100 center of the road = 5 + 1.5hL
in elevation of the right
slope stake and the left 3 - hL = 1.0 + 0.30hL Distance of Left slope stake = 5 + 1.5 (1.538)
slope stake.
d. Calculate the Section
hL = 1.538 m. Distance of Left slope stake = 7.307 m.
area bounded by the road
subgrade, side slopes and
the ground line.
1. Solution cont’d.:
CL
20% Slope
c. difference in elevation of the 1.5hL 5m. 5m. El. 143m.
right slope stake and the left hL 1.5hR
y1 3m. y2
slope stake
3 - hL 3 – y1
DE = (3 – hL) + (hR - 3) El. 140m. hR
y2 – y1
DE = (3 – 1.538) + (5.714 – 3) DE 5 + 1.5hL
hR - 3
Difference in Elevation = 4.176 m.
Sta 5 + 100 5 + 1.5hR
d. Section area bounded by the road
subgrade, side slopes and the ground line
By Ratio and Proportion: y2 = 4.0 m.
3 − 𝑦1 20 1 1
= = 0.20 Section Area = (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )(10) + (y1)(1.5hL) +
2 2
5 100 1
(y2)(1.5hR)
3 – y1 = 1.0 2
1 1
y1 = 2.0 m. Section Area = (2 + 4)(10) + (2)(1.5)(1.538) +
2 2
1
𝑦2 − 𝑦1 20 (4)(1.5)(5.714)
2
= = 0.20
10 100 Section Area = 49.449 sq. m.
1. Solution cont’d.:
Y
20% Slope
d. Section area bounded by the 1.5hL (- 5, 0) (0,0) (5,0) El. 143m.
road subgrade, side slopes hL 5m.
X
5m. 1.5hR
y1 y2
and the ground line using (- 7.307,- 1.538) 3m.
coordinate method. 3 - hL 3 – y1
El. 140m. hR
y2 – y1
Considering road DE 5 + 1.5hL
subgrade center-point as hR - 3
the origin
1 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥4 𝑥1 Sta 5 + 100 5 + 1.5hR
(13.571,- 5.714)
Section Area = . . . .
2 𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 𝑦4 𝑦1
1 5 13.571 −7.307 −5 5
Section Area = . . . .
2 0 − 5.714 −1.538 0 0
1
Section Area = 2 ሾ(0)(13.571) + (−5.714)(−7.307) + (−1.538)(−5) + (0)(5) − (5)(−5.714)
− (13.571)(−1.538) − (−7.307)(0) − (−5)(0)ሿ
1
Section Area = 2 49.442 − ( − 49.442)

Section Area = 49.442 sq. m.

2. From the given cross section notes of an earthwork
between station 2 + 400 to 2 + 500. Consider both
stations to have the same side slope and width of the
base.
sta 2 + 400
Left Center Right
6.45 0 4.5
+2.3 +1.5 +1.0
sta 2 + 500
Left Center Right
6.00 0 6.9
+2.0 x +2.6
a. Compute the side slope of both sections.
b. Compute the value of x at station 2 + 500, if it has a
cross sectional area 0f 14.64 sq. m.
c. Compute the volume between stations 2 + 400 and 2 +
500 using end area method, with prismoidal correction,
and using prismoidal formula.
 2. Solution: Sta 2 + 400
a. Solving for S CL
D1 = 10.95
2.30S + B/2 = 6.45 - Eqn. 1
1.0S + B/2 = 4.5 - Eqn. 2
Subtract Eqn. 2 from 1; 2.3 C1 = 1.5
1.30S = 1.95 1.0

S = 1.50 2.3S 1.0S

B/2 B/2
Side Slope = 1.50 : 1 6.45 4.5

From 1.0S + B/2 = 4.5

1.0 ( 1.50) + B/2 = 4.5
B = 6.0 m.
Computing the Section Area:
Section now is divided into 4 triangles
𝟏
𝑨𝟏 = (3.0)(2.3) + 𝟏 (1.5)(6.45) + 𝟏 (1.5)(4.5) + 𝟏 (3.0)(1.0)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝑨𝟏 = 13.1625 sq. m.
2. Solution: Sta 2 + 500
b. Solving for the value of x: CL
Section Area (A2) = 14.64 m.2 D2 = 12.9
Section now is divided into 4 triangles;
𝟏 𝟏
14.64 = (3.0)(2.0) + (x)(6.0) 2.0 x 2.6
𝟐 𝟐 C2 =
𝟏
+ (x)(6.9) + 𝟏 (3.0)(2.6)
𝟐 𝟐 3.0 3.9
3.0 3.0
x = 1.20 m. 6.0 6.9

c. Solving for the volume between two stations using End Area Method:
(𝑨𝟏 +𝑨𝟐 )𝑳 (𝟏𝟑.𝟏𝟔𝟐𝟓+𝟏𝟒.𝟔𝟒)(𝟏𝟎𝟎)
VE = = = 1,390.125 m.3
𝟐 𝟐
Volume with Prismoidal correction:
𝑳 𝟏𝟎𝟎
Vcp = (C1 – C2)(D1 – D2) = (1.5 – 1.2)(10.95 – 12.9) = - 4.875 m.3
𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐

V = VE – Vcp = 1,390.125 – (- 4.875)

V = 1,395 cu.m. (Volume using end area with prismoidal correction)

2. Solution: Sta 2 + 450
c. Volume using Prismoidal Formula: CL
D2 = 11.925
Mean Section Area (Am)

2.15 1.8
Cm = 1.35
Section now is divided into 4 triangles
3.225 2.7
𝟏 𝟏 3.0 3.0
Am = (3.0)(2.15) + (1.35)(6.225)
𝟐 𝟐 6.225 5.7
𝟏
+ (1.35)(5.7) + 𝟏 (3.0)(1.8)
𝟐 𝟐
Am = 13.974 m.2
Solving for the volume between two stations using Prismoidal Formula:
(𝑨𝟏 + 𝟒𝑨𝒎 + 𝑨𝟐 )𝑳 ሾ𝟏𝟑.𝟏𝟔𝟐𝟓+ 𝟒 𝟏𝟑.𝟗𝟕𝟒 +𝟏𝟒.𝟔𝟒ሿ(𝟏𝟎𝟎)
Vp = =
𝟔 𝟔

Vp = 1,394.975 cu.m. (Volume using Prismoidal Formula)

3. In a 40 meter road stretch, the following cross
section of the existing ground and corresponding
road grade cross section notes were taken.
Existing ground cross section
5 + 280 16.5 9.0 5.0 0 4.0 12.0 18.0
0 -2.0 -1.0 0 +1.0 +2.0 1.0

5 + 320 13.5 10.0 7.0 0 5.0 9.0 17.0

-3.0 -2.0 +1.0 +1.0 +1.0 0 -1.5

Designed subgrade cross section

5 + 280 16.5 7.0 6.0 0 6.0 7.0 18.0
0 -5.5 -5.0 -5.0 -5.0 -5.50 +1.0

5 + 320 13.5 7.0 6.0 0 6.0 7.0 17.0

-3.0 -7.5 -7.0 -7.0 -7.0 -7.5 -1.5

a. Compute the cross sectional area for every station.

b. Compute the earthwork volume between the two stations.
3. Solution:
Plot the existing ground section and the designed subgrade cross section of
Sta 5 + 280

Sta 5 + 280 CL
10

5
Ground Section
(12,2)
(4,1) (18,1)
(-16.5,0) (0,0)
-20 -15 -10 -5 5 10 15 20
(-5,-1)
(-9,-2)

-5
(-6,-5) (0,-5) (6,-5)
Designed Subgrade
(-7,-5.5)
Cross Section (7,-5.5)

-10
3. Solution:
Plot the existing ground section and the designed subgrade cross section of
Sta 5 + 280
Sta 5 + 280
CL
10

5
Ground Section
(12,2)
(4,1) (18,1)
(-16.5,0) (0,0)
-20 -15 -10 -5 5 10 15 20
(-5,-1)
(-9,-2)

-5
(-6,-5) (0,-5) (6,-5)
Designed Subgrade
(-7,-5.5)
Cross Section (7,-5.5)

-10
3. Solution:
a. Section area at Station 5 + 280 bounded by the road subgrade, side slopes and
the ground line using coordinate method.
1 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥4 𝑥5 𝑥6 𝑥7 𝑥8 𝑥9 𝑥10 𝑥11 𝑥1
Section Area1 = . . . . . . . . . . .
2 𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 𝑦4 𝑦5 𝑦6 𝑦7 𝑦8 𝑦9 𝑦10 𝑦11 𝑦1

1 0 4 12 18 7 6 −6 −7 −16.5 −9 −5 0
Section Area = . . . . . . . . . . .
2 0 1 2 1 −5.5 −5 −5 −5.5 0 −2 −1 0

𝟏
Section Area = ሾ(𝟎)(𝟒)
+ (1)(12) + (2)(18) + (1)(7) + (−5.5)(6) + (−5)(−𝟔) +
𝟐
(−𝟓)(−𝟕) + (−𝟓. 𝟓)(−𝟏𝟔. 𝟓) + (𝟎)(−𝟗) + (−𝟐)(−𝟓) + (−𝟏)(𝟎) − (𝟎)(𝟏) −
(4)(2) − (12)(1) − (18)(−5.5) − (7)(−5) − (𝟔)(−𝟓) − (−𝟔)(−𝟓. 𝟓) −
(𝟕)(𝟎) − (−𝟏𝟔. 𝟓)(−𝟐) − (−𝟗)(−𝟏) − (−𝟓)(𝟎)ሿ
𝟏
Section Area = 187.75 − ( − 𝟔𝟗)
𝟐

Section Area1 = 128.375 sq. m. (Section Area of Sta 5 + 280)

Solution:
Plot the existing ground section and the designed subgrade cross section of Sta 5 + 320
Sta 5 + 320
CL
10

Ground Section
(-7,1) (0,1) (5,1)
(9,0)

-20 -15 -10 -5 5 10 15 (17,-1.5) 20

(-13.5,-3)
(-10,-2)
-5

(-6,-7) (0,-7) (6,-7)

Designed Subgrade (-7,-7.5) (7,-7.5)
Cross Section -10
3. Solution:
a. Section area at Station 5 + 320 bounded by the road subgrade, side slopes and
the ground line using coordinate method.
1 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥4 𝑥5 𝑥6 𝑥7 𝑥8 𝑥9 𝑥10 𝑥1
Section Area2 = . . . . . . . . . .
2 𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3 𝑦4 𝑦5 𝑦6 𝑦7 𝑦8 𝑦9 𝑦10 𝑦1

1 5 9 17 7 6 −6 −7 −13.5 −10 −7 5
Section Area = . . . . . . . . . .
2 1 0 −1.5 −7.5 −7 −7 −7.5 −3 −2 1 1
1
Section Area = 2 ሾ(1)(9) + (0)(17) + (−1.5)(7) + (−7.5)(6) + (−7)(−6) + (−7)(−7) + (−7.5)(−13.5) + (−3)(−10) + (−2)(−7) +
(1)(5) − (5)(0) − (9)(−1.5) − (17)(−7.5) − (7)(−7) − (6)(−7) − ( − 6)(−7.5) − (−7)(−3) − (−13.5)(−2) −
(−10)(1) − (−7)(1)ሿ
1
Section Area = 2 194.75 − ( − 156)
Section Area2 = 175.375 sq. m. (Section Area of Sta 5 + 320)
b. Earthwork volume between two stations
(𝐴1 + 𝐴2 )𝐿 128.375 +175.375 40
V = =
2 2
V = 6,075.0 cu.m. (Volume between stations)
4. Given the following cross section notes of an earthwork on
a rolling terrain.
Sta 3 + 000
Left Center Right
31 0 13.5
+10 +5 +3
Sta 3 + 020
Left Center Right
41 0 17.25
+ 14 +7 + 4.5
The width of the road is 12 m. and the side slope is 2.5:1.
a. Compute the volume using Prismoidal formula.
b. Compute the volume using end area with Prismoidal
correction.
c. Compute the volume using end area with curvature correction
if the road turns to the right with the given cross section and
radius of curvature is 190 m.
4. Solution: Sta 3 + 000
CL
a. Section Area (A1): D1 = 44.5

10
C1 = 5
3
25.0 7.5
6.0 6.0
31.0 13.5

Section now is divided into 4 triangles;

𝟏
A1 = (6)(10) + 𝟏 (5)(31)
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
+ (5)(13.5) + (6)(3)
𝟐 𝟐

A1 = 150.25 m.2 (Section area of Sta 3 + 000)

4. Solution: Sta 3 + 020
a. Section Area (A2): CL
D2 = 58.25
Section now is divided into 4 triangles;
𝟏 𝟏
A2 = (6)(14) + (7)(41)
𝟐 𝟐 14
C2 = 7
𝟏 𝟏
+ (7)(17.25) + (6)(4.5) 4.5
𝟐 𝟐 35.0
6.0 11.25
6.0
A2 = 259.375 m.2 41.0 17.25

a. Solving for the volume between two stations using End Area Method:
(𝑨𝟏 +𝑨𝟐 )𝑳 (𝟏𝟓𝟎.𝟐𝟓+𝟐𝟓𝟗.𝟑𝟕𝟓)(𝟐𝟎)
VE = =
𝟐
= 4,096.25 m.3
𝟐
Volume with Prismoidal correction:
𝑳 𝟐𝟎
Vcp = (C1 – C2)(D1 – D2) = (5 – 7)(44.5 – 58.25) = 45.83 m.3
𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟐

V = VE – Vcp = 4,096.25 – (45.83)

V = 4,050.42 cu.m. (Volume using end area with prismoidal correction)

4. Solution: Sta 3 + 010
CL
a. Volume using Prismoidal Formula: Dm = 51.375
Mean Section Area (Am)
Section now is divided into 4 triangles
1 1 12
Am = (6)(12) + (6)(36) Cm = 6
2 2 3.75
1 1 30.0
+ (6)(15.375) + (6)(3.75) 6.0 6.0
9.375
2 2
36.0 15.375
Am = 201.375 m.2
Volume between two stations using End Area Method = 4,096.25 m.3
Solving for the volume between two stations using Prismoidal Formula:
(𝐴1 + 4𝐴𝑚 + 𝐴2 )𝐿
Vp =
6
150.25 +4 201.375 +259.375 (20)
Vp =
6
Vp = 4,050.42 cu.m. (Volume using Prismoidal Formula)
4. Solution cont’d: Sta 3 + 000
c. Volume with Curvature Correction: CL
D1 = 44.5
e1

𝟏 𝟏 As1
As1 = A1 – (5)(13.5) + (6)(3) (2) 10
𝟐 𝟐 C1 = 5
3
As1 = 150.25 – 85.5 25.0
6.0 7.5
6.0
31.0 13.5
As1 = 64.75 m.2
𝟏 𝟏
e1 = D1 = (44.5)
𝟑 𝟑

e1 = + 14.83 m. (positive since the excess area is away from the

center of the curve)
4. Solution: Sta 3 + 020
CL
c. Volume with Curvature Correction: D2 = 58.25
e2
𝟏 𝟏
As2 = A2 – 𝟐
(7)(17.25) +
𝟐
(6)(4.5) (2) As2
14
As2 = 259.375 – 147.75 C2 = 7
4.5
As2 = 111.625 m.2
35.0 11.25
𝟏 𝟏 6.0 6.0
e2 = D2 = (58.25)𝟑 41.0 17.25
𝟑
e2 = 19.42 m. (positive since the excess area is away from the center of the curve)
𝑳
Vc = (As1 e1 + As2 e2)
𝟐𝑹
𝟐𝟎
Vc = 𝟔𝟒. 𝟕𝟓 𝟏𝟒. 𝟖𝟑 + (𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟐𝟓)(𝟏𝟗. 𝟒𝟐)
𝟐(𝟏𝟗𝟎)

Vc = 163.78 cu.m. (Curvature correction)

V = VE + Vc = 4,096.25 + 163.78
V = 4,260.03 cu.m. (Volume with Curvature correction)
Problem Exercise No.1:
From the given data of a new road for construction
sta 22 + 020
Left Center Right
a 0 b
-1.90 -1.40 -0.50
sta 22 + 100
Left Center Right
c 0 d
+1.2 +3.20 +0.60
Base for cut = 9 m. Sideslopes = 1:1
Base for fill = 8 m. Sideslopes = 1.5:1
a. Compute the section area of the two stations.
b. Determine the difference in volume of cut and fill
using end area method
Problem Exercise No. 2:
The following is a set of notes of an earthworks of a road
construction which is undertaken by DPWH
Sta 22 + 020
9.0 4.5 0 4.5 6.0
+3.0 +4.0 +2.0 +1.5 +1.0
Sta 22 + 040
7.5 4.5 0 4.5 9.0
+2.0 +5.0 +4.0 +2.0 +3.0

The base of roadway is 9m. And side slope is 1.5:1

Determine the following:
a. Cross sectional area for every station
b. Compute the volume of earthwork between the two
stations using end area method, and prismoidal formula.