PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

College of Engineering and Technology

Fundamentals of Surveying
EARTHWORK
& MASS
DIAGRAM
LESSON 14

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK

Quantities
 Excavation- the amount of material
that needs to be removed from the
grade.
 Embankment- the amount of
material that needs to be added to
the grade.
 Excavation and embankment are
calculated with cross sections using
the average end area method.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Average End Area Method
 The area between the existing ground and proposed
ground is calculated at each cross-section.
 The area between two consecutive cross-sections is
averaged.
 This area is multiplied by the distance between two
cross-sections.

𝑽 𝑬= (
𝑨 𝟏+ 𝑨 𝟐
𝟐
𝑳 )
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK

ℎ𝑅
ℎ𝐿 𝑐

𝑽 𝑬= (
𝑨 𝟏+ 𝑨 𝟐
𝟐
𝑳 ) Where:
w – width of the road
hL – height left
hR – height right
c – height of center line
dL – distance from centerline to the left
dR – distance from centerline to the right

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Prismoidal Formula
 Prismoidal formula usually yields smaller volume than does
the Average-End Area Method.
 The area of the middle section Am is determined by taking
cross sections there or by averaging the dimensions of the
end cross sections and using these values to calculate the
area. (It is not determined by averaging the end area).
 Although the prismoidal formula does provide better
estimates of the volume of the prismoids, the average-end-
area method is more commonly used because the
difference between the two methods is quite small except
where abrupt changes in cross-section occurs.

𝑽 𝒑= ( 𝑨𝟏 +𝟒 𝑨 𝒎+ 𝑨 𝟐
𝟔 ) 𝑳
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK

𝑽 𝒑=(𝑨𝟏 +𝟒 𝑨 𝒎+ 𝑨 𝟐
𝟔 )
𝑳

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Prismoidal Correction Formula
 If it is desired to determine the prismoidal volume, it is
easier to use average-end-area method and correct the
results obtained with prismoidal correction formula.

𝑳
𝑪𝒗 =
𝟏𝟐
( 𝑪 𝟏 − 𝑪𝟐 ) ( 𝒘 𝟏 −𝒘 𝟐 )

𝑽 𝑷 =𝑽 𝑬 − 𝑪 𝒗
NOTE:

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
EXAMPLE #1
1. The cross section notes of the ground surface at sta.
1+200 of a road survey, show that the ground is sloping at
a 10% grade downward to the right. The elevation of the
ground along the center line of the proposed road at the
station is 150 m. and that of the finished subgrade is 152
m. Width of subgrade is 7.00 with side slope of 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.
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK
EXAMPLE #1 REQ’D:
GIVEN:

FIGURE:
7.00m

𝐶𝐿
1 .5 ℎ 𝐿 1 .5 ℎ 𝑅
1.5:1
ℎ𝐿 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑃𝑅 (𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒)=152 𝑚
2m
10%
ℎ𝑅
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 =150 𝑚
𝑑 𝐿 𝑑 𝑅

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

EXAMPLE #1 EARTHWORK

2m

SOL’N:

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

EXAMPLE #1 EARTHWORK SOL’N:

2m

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EXAMPLE #1 EARTHWORK SOL’N:

2m

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
2. Given the cross section notes on the earthwork between
station 10+100 to 10+200. assume both stations have the
same side slope and width of the base.
STA. 10+100
LEFT CENTER RIGHT
6.45 0 4.5
+2.3 +1.5 +1.0

STA.10+200
6.0 0 6.9
+2.0 X +2.6

a. Compute the side slope of both sections.

b. Compute the value of x at station 10+200 if it has a
cross sectional area of14.64 m2.
c. Compute the volume between stations using end area
method and with prismoidal correction.
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK
EXAMPLE #2 REQ’D:
GIVEN:
STA. 10+100
LEFT CENTER RIGHT
6.45 0 4.5
+2.3 +1.5 +1.0

STA.10+200
6.0 0 6.9 FIGURE:
+2.0 X +2.6

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

EXAMPLE #2 EARTHWORK
SOL’N:

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLA C.
C. ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
EXAMPLE #2 EARTHWORK
SOL’N:

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
3. The following is a set of notes of an earthwork of a road
construction which is undertaken by DPWH.
Station Cross Section
9.0 4.5 4.5 6.0
1+020 +2.0
+3.0 +4.0 +1.5 +1.0

7.5 4.5 4.5 9.0

1+040 +4.0
+2.0 +5.0 +2.0 +3.0

The base of the road way is 9 m which conforms with DPWH

standards. Side slope 1.5:1
a. Compute the cross sectional area @ sta. 1+020.
b. Compute the cross sectional area @ sta. 1+040.
c. Compute the volume between stations using prismoidal
method.
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK
EXAMPLE #3 REQ’D:
GIVEN:
Station Cross Section
9.0 4.5 4.5 6.0
1+020 +2.0
+3.0 +4.0 +1.5 +1.0

7.5 4.5 4.5 9.0

1+040 +4.0
+2.0 +5.0 +2.0 +3.0

FIGURE:

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

EXAMPLE #3
EARTHWORK
SOL’N:

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
EXAMPLE #3 EARTHWORK
SOL’N:

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
 EXAMPLE #3 EARTHWORK
SOL’N:
Station Cross Section
9.0 4.5 4.5 6.0
1+020 +2.0
+3.0 +4.0 +1.5 +1.0

7.5 4.5 4.5 9.0

1+040 +4.0
+2.0 +5.0 +2.0 +3.0

1+030 8.25 4.5 4.5 7.5

+3.0
+2.5 +4.5 +1.75 +2.0

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
 EARTHWORK

Total Quantities
 Topsoil- topsoil quantities are not calculated into the
excavation or embankment. This is a separate value
that has to be dealt with separately.
 Imported topsoil is needed if the stripping volume
acquired does not fulfill the quantity of topsoil that is
proposed.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Shrinkage
 Shrinkage is the % additional volume added to the
embankment quantity.
 Shrinkagefactor may vary from 5% to 20% depending on
the character of the material involved.
 It will state that “xx% additional volume has been added
to the embankment quantity to account for shrinkage”.
 In other words, compacted cubic yards have been
converted into bank cubic yards so you can compare
“apples to apples”

𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑙
𝐴𝑑𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑙=
( 1− 𝑠ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 )

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Shrinkage
Example: How much cut material is needed if the
required fill material for a section of road is 2123
cu. yd. Assume a shrinkage factor of 8%.

= 2308 cu. yd

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
Three States of
Material
1. Bank
2. Loose
3. Compacted

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
MASS DIAGRAM
 Basic Definitions
 Mass Ordinates
 Plot of Mass Ordinate

 Vertical Axis- Cubic Yards

(excavation and embankment).
 Horizontal Axis- Stationing
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK
MASS DIAGRAM
Basic Definitions
 Mass Diagram- A graphical representation of the
cumulative amount of earthwork moved along the
centerline and distances over which the earth and materials
are to be transported.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
Characteristics of Mass Curve:
1. Rising sections of the mass curve indicates areas where excavating
exceeds fill, whereas falling sections indicate where fill exceeds
excavation.
2. Steep slopes reflect heavy cuts & fills, while flat slopes indicate areas
fro small amount of earthwork.
3. The difference in ordinates between any two points indicate net
excess of excavation over embankment or vise versa.
4. Any horizontal line dawn to intersect two points within the same curve
indicates a balance of excavation (cut) and embankment (fill)
quantities between the two points.
5. Points of zero slope represent points where roadway goes from cut to
fill or from fill to cut.
6. The highest or the lowest points of the mass haul diagram represents
the crossing points between the grade line (roadway level) and natural
ground level. Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK
EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

Mass Ordinates
 Mass ordinates are the cumulative total of the
excavation and embankment on the project.

Mass Ordinates

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

What do they tell us?

 Mass diagrams determine the average haul,
free haul, and overhaul on a given segment
of roadway.
 Mass diagrams tell the contractors and
inspectors the quantity of material moved
and how far it can be economically moved.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

Topics
 Basic Definitions- Haul, Average Haul, Overhaul
 How to Calculate Average haul
 Borrow

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

Definitions
 Haul- the transportation of excavated material from its
original position to is final location in the work or other
disposal area. This is also know as authorized haul.
 Average haul- determined from mass diagram. Average
haul is the area of the mass diagram representing the
number of cubic yard stations of haul between balance
points divided by the ordinate of the mass which the
yardage is hauled.
 Overhaul - the authorized hauling of excavation beyond
the specified free-haul distance.
 Free haul -Average haul for project that is free
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

 Mass Diagrams are used to calculate the

average or free haul between two given
balance points and also the average or free
haul for the entire project area.
 They also tell the contractor which way
the dirt is to be moved and the quantity of
dirt to be moved.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

Calculation of Average or Free Haul
 The two values you need for the calculation
of average or free haul are an area and a
volume.
 These two values can be obtained from the
mass diagram.
 The area you use is the area under the
curve and the volume you use is the sum of
the peaks and valleys on the diagram.
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

Calculation of Average or Free Haul Area- Shaded Portions

Volume

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM

HOW A MASS DIAGRAM IS USED?

 Economical Haul Distance

Machine Type Economical Haul Distance

Large Dozer (pushing material) Up to 300 feet

Push-Loaded Scrapers 300 – 500 feet
Trucks > 500 feet

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
HAUL
 EXAMPLE:
The earthwork data of proposed highway is shown on the tabulated
data.
Lengthof economical haul = 450 m.
Stationing of limits of economical haul @ 2+498.03 & 2+948.03
Stationing of free haul @ 2+713.12 & 2+763.12
Assuming the ground surface to be uniformly sloping.
a. Compute the overhaul volume STATION AREA

b. Compute the volume of waste CUT FILL

2+440 50 m2
c. Compute the volume of borrow
2+740 0 (Balancing Point)
3+040 70 m2

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EXAMPLE #4
EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
HAUL REQ’D: STATION AREA
CUT FILL
2+440 50 m2
2+740 0 (Balancing Point)
3+040 70 m2

FIGURE:
Economical Haul = 450 m
Overhaul Vol
Free Haul = 50 m
Vol. Waste Vol. Borrow
50 𝑚2 a
b 2+948.03
2+440 2+713.12 2+740 c 3+040
d
2+763.12
2+498.03
70 𝑚2
23.12
58.03 215.09 26.88 184.91
91.97
241.97 208.03

300 m 300 m

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
EXAMPLE #4
EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
SOL’N:
HAUL

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
 EXAMPLE #4
EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
SOL’N:
HAUL

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLA C.
C. ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
STA. VOLUME
 EXAMPLE #5: CUT FILL
10+000 +200
The following data represents a single
10+040 +100
summit mass diagram of proposed
10+080 +150
expansion of the Tolosa Expressway. 10+120 +140
Free haul distance = 50 m 10+160 +110
10+200 +190
Limit of Economical Haul = 400 m 10+240 +50
Mass ordinate of initial limit of free 10+280 -40
haul distance --------- +910 cu. m. 10+320 -120
10+360 -90
Mass coordinate of initial limit of 10+400 -80
econimical haul -------- +350 cu. m. 10+440 -200
10+480 -220
a. Compute the volume of waste
10+520 -110
b. Compute the volume of overhaul 10+560 -320
10+600 -280
c. Compute the volume of borrow
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
 EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
STA. VOLUME
 SOLUTION:
CUT FILL
10+000 +200 +200
+940
10+040 +100 +300
+910 10+080 +150 +450
F.H.D. = 50 m 10+120 +140 +590
+350 10+160 +110 +700
E.H.L. = 400 m 10+200 +190 +890
+200 10+240 +50 +940
10+280 +900 -40
10+000 10+320 +780 -120
10+360 +690 -90

-520 10+400 +610 -80

10+440 +410 -200
10+480 +190 -220
10+520 +80 -110
10+560 -240 -320
10+600 -520 -280
Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE
EXAMPLE #5
EARTHWORK: MASS DIAGRAM
SOL’N:

+940

+910
F.H.D. = 50 m
+350
E.H.L. = 400 m
+200

10+000

-520

Engr. ROSELLA
Engr. ROSELLAC.
C.ALGADO,
ALGADO, CE
CE
 EARTHWORK
BORROW PIT
 During construction of roads, airports, dams, and
other projects involving earthwork, it is often
necessary to or borrow earth from a designated
area near the project in order to construct
embankments.
 In construction and civil engineering, a borrow pit,
also known as a sand box, is an area where
material (usually soil, gravel or sand) has been dug
for use at another location

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
B
O
R
R
O
W
PI
T

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

 EARTHWORK
BORROW PIT
 SOLUTION:
FIGURE SUM OF AREA OF MULTIPLIER VOLUME (cu.
CORNER CUTS SHAPE (sq. ft.) ft.)
(ft)
adnmqo 95.7 2500 X 1/4 59,813
oqus 21.4 2000 X 1/4 10,700
uqr 8.2 500 X 1/3 1367
qrm 7.9 625 X 1/3 1646
rmn 8.1 1250 X 1/3 3375
nij 9.1 500 X 1/3 1517
ijd 10.3 500 X 1/3 1717
jed 10.2 1000 X 1/3 3400
TOTAL VOLUME = 83535 cu. ft.
= 3094 cu. yd.

Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE

REMINDER:
“

”Engr. ROSELLA C. ALGADO, CE