Fundamental of Surveying

(FUNSURVEY2)
MODULE

Fundamental of Surveying 2
 Holy Angel University
School of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering
Transportation Engineering

Station 5
Earthworks - Volume

Introduction This is the continuation of the previous chapter about

earthworks. After knowing the different method of solving the
area, part is knowing the volume of the earthworks. Solving
with different type of methods, and introduction to cut and fill.

This chapter focuses on

➢ End Area Method
Content ➢ Prismoidal
➢ Prismoidal Correction

Objectives After this chapter, the student should be able to

➢ Solve volume of earthworks
➢ Understand the concept of earthworks
➢ Identify the cut and fill in volume

References Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, 2015. Elementray Surveying: An Introduction to
Geomatics, 14th Edition

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume
Introduction to Earthworks Volume

“Leave the Past, Live the Present, believe in your Future”

Some quotes’ author

Persons engaged in surveying (geomatics) are often called on to determine volumes of various
types of material. Quantities of earthwork and concrete are needed, for example, on many types of
construction projects. Volume computations are also required to determine the capacities of bins,
tanks, reservoirs, and buildings, and to check stockpiles of coal, gravel, and other materials. The
determination of quantities of water discharged by streams and rivers, per unit of time, is also
important.

Volume

Direct measurement of volumes is rarely made in surveying, since it is difficult to actually apply a
unit of measure to the material involved. Instead, indirect measurements are obtained by measuring
lines and areas that have a relationship to the volume desired. Here in earthworks, we can have the
volume using different type of indirect method.

End Area Method

Computing the volumes by the average-end-area method. In the given figure, A1 and A2
are end areas at two stations separated by a horizontal distance (L). The volume between the
two stations is equal to the average of the end areas multiplied by the horizontal distance L.

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Station – Earthworks: Volume
The formula for end area method are approximate and give answers that generally are
slightly larger than the true prismoidal volumes. They are used in practice because of their
simplicity, and contractors are satisfied because pay quantities are generally slightly greater than
true values. Increased accuracy is obtained by decreasing the distance L between sections.
When the ground is irregular, cross-sections must be taken closer together.

Prismoidal Formula
The prismoidal formula applies to volumes of all geometric solids that can be
considered prismoids. A prismoid, illustrated in the figure below, is a solid having ends that are
parallel but not congruent, and trapezoidal sides that are also not congruent. Most earthwork
solids obtained from cross-section data fits this classification. However, from a practical
standpoint, the differences in volumes computed by the average-end-area method and the
prismoidal formula are usually so small as to be negligible. Where extreme accuracy is needed,
such as in expensive rock cuts or concrete placements, the prismoidal method can be used.
One arrangement of the prismoidal formula is

𝐴1 +4𝐴𝑚 +𝐴2
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑥𝐿
6
Where:
Vp = Prismoidal Volume
A1 and A2 = areas taken in the field
Am = Area of a computed section midway between A1 and A2. This is found by usual
computation after averaging the heights and widths of the two end sections.
L = The distance between the two stations.

The difference between the volumes obtained by the average-end-area formula

and the prismoidal formula is called the prismoidal correction, Cp. Various books on route
surveying give formulas and tables for computing prismoidal corrections, which can be applied
to average-end-area volumes to get prismoidal volumes. A prismoidal correction formula, which
provides accurate results for three-level sections is

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume

𝐿
𝐶𝑝 = (𝑐 − 𝑐2 )(𝑤1 − 𝑤2 )
12 1

Where:
Cp = Volume of the prismoidal correction
c1 , c2 = center heights in cut or fill
w1 , w2 = widths of sections (from slope intercept to slope intercept)
L = The distance between the two stations.

The most commonly used method on solving the volume of the earthworks is the
combination of end-area method and prismoidal correction.

𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒 − 𝐶𝑝

Sample Problem:
1. From station 0+040 with center height of 1.40m fill, the ground line makes a uniform slope
of 5% to station 0+100, whose center height is 2.80m cut. Assume both sections to be level
sections with side slopes of 2:1 for fill and 1.5:1 for cut.
a) Find the grade of the finished road surface.
b) Find the area at each station
c) By end area method, find the amount of cut and fill.

Solution:
First, illustrate the problem

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Station – Earthworks: Volume

Use the triangle, using the slope of the existing ground.

𝑦
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 =
60

𝑦
5% =
60

𝑦=3

Use the triangle, using the slope of finished ground

1.2
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 =
60
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 2% 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑

For Station 0+040

14.6+9
𝐴= 𝑥 1.40
2

𝐴 = 16.52 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚 (𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙)

For Station 0+100

10 +18.40
𝐴= 𝑥 2.80
2

𝐴 = 39.76 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚 (𝑐𝑢𝑡)

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Station – Earthworks: Volume

C)
We need to identify the distance of fill and cut
Fill = x
Cut = 60 -x

Using height proportion

1.40 − 2%(𝑥 ) = 5%(𝑥)

1.40 − 0.02𝑥 = 0.05𝑥
𝑥 = 20
𝐴1 + 𝐴2
Fill = 20m 𝑉= 𝑥𝐿
2
Cut = 40m

16.52 + 0
𝑉𝑓 = 𝑥 20𝑚
2
𝑉𝑓 = 165.20 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚
0 + 39.76
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑥 40𝑚
2
𝑉𝑐 = 795.20 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

2. From the given cross-section of an earthworks between A (20+200) and B (20+220)

assuming both have same slope and width of base.

STATION A
6.60 0 4.8
+2.4 12 +1.2
STATION B
6.3 0 7.2
+2.2 𝑥 +2.80

a) Compute the width of the base

b) Compute the value of cut at station B if it has an area of 16.82 m2.
c) Compute the volume between A and B with Prismoidal Correction

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume
Solution:
First, illustrate each station

a) Width of the Base

Ratio and proportion of the base

𝐵
6.9 = 2.2𝑠 + ---- Eq. 1
2

𝐵
7.2 = 2.8𝑠 + ---- Eq. 2
2

0.9 = 0.6𝑠
𝑠 = 1.5

Substitute the value of s in eq. 1

𝐵
6.9 = 2.2(1.5) +
2
𝐵 =6𝑚

B) Value of cut at station B

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume
Using the geometric method, given cross-section of station B

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = (𝐴12 − 𝐴2 ) + (𝐴34 − 𝐴4 )

𝑋+2.2 1 𝑋+2.8 1
16.82 = [(3.3 + 3) (
2
)] − [2 (3.3)(2.2)] + [(3 + 3.9) ( 2
)] − [2 (3.9)(2.8)]

𝑋 = 1.38𝑚

c) Volume using Prismoidal Correction

Area of station B is given, we need to get the area of station A
𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = (𝐴12 − 𝐴2 ) + (𝐴34 − 𝐴4 )

2.4+2 1 2+1.2 1
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝐴 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = [(6.6) (
2
)] − [2 (3.6)(2.4)] + [(4.8) ( 2
)] − [2 (1.8)(1.2)]
𝑆𝑡𝑎. 𝐴 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 16.80 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚

Using End area method

𝐴 +𝐴
𝑉𝑒 = 1 2 𝑥 𝐿
2
16.80+16.82
𝑉𝑒 = 𝑥
20
2
𝑉𝑒 = 336.20 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

Using prismoidal correction

𝐿
𝐶𝑝 = (𝑐1 − 𝑐2 )(𝑤1 − 𝑤2 )
12
20
𝐶𝑝 = (2 − 1.38)(11.40 − 13.5)
12
𝐶𝑝 = −2.17 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

𝑉 = 𝑉𝑒 − 𝐶𝑝
𝑉 = 336.20 − (−2.17)
𝑽 = 𝟑𝟑𝟖. 𝟑𝟕 𝒄𝒖. 𝒎

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume

3. At station 1+100 of a portion of a highway stretch has an area of 100 sq. meter in cut while
that of station 1+200 the area is 240 sq. meters in cut. At station 1+100, the ground surface
to the left of the center line is flat and the height of the right slope stake above the grade
line is one half of the left , while that of station 1+200, the height of the right slope stake is 3
times higher than that of the left slope stake. The center cut at station 1+200. The width of
the roadway is 10m with a side slope 2:1.
a) Determine the height of cut at the center of station 1+100
b) Determine the height of the right slope stake at 1+200
c) Determine the volume between station 1+100 and 1+200 by applying prismoidal
correction.

Volume from Spot Level

This method is useful in the determination of volumes of large open excavations for tanks,
basements, borrow pits, and for ground leveling operations such as playing fields and building sites.
Having located the outline of the, dive the area into squares or rectangles. Marking the corner points
and then determine the reduced level. By subtracting from the observed levels the corresponding
formation levels, a series of heights can be found.

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume

Sample Problem
1. A rectangular plot show below, which is to be excavated to the given reduced level. Assuming
area is subdivided into equal rectangular system, calculate the volume of earth to be
excavated.
(Excavated level = 10.0m)

a) Compute by formula

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume
Solution:
Area = 12.25m x 15m
Area = 183.75

[(𝐴)+(2𝐵)+𝐶+(2𝐷)+(4𝐸)+(2𝐹)+𝐺+(2𝐻)+𝐼]
𝑉=
4
[(16.54)+(2𝑥17.25)+15.40+(2𝑥16.32)+(4𝑥12.95)+(2𝑥15.55)+16.17+(2𝑥15.84)+13.38]
𝑉=
4
𝑉 = 𝐴 𝑥 60.8025
𝑉 = 183.75 𝑥 60.8025
𝑽 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟕𝟐. 𝟒𝟔 𝒄𝒖. 𝒎

Questions

1. What is the volume of earthworks?

2. Why do we need to solve for the prismoidal correction?
3. Differentiate the end-area method to prismoidal method.
4. Where do we use the volume of spot level method in surveying? Why?
5. Explain the cut and fill in earthworks? Differentiate the two.

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 Station – Earthworks: Volume
References: This part includes online references. This is to avoid plagiarism in the content of the
modules.

Chapter 5:
Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, 2015. Elementray Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics, 14th
Edition
Jerry Nathanson, Michael T. Lanzafama, and Philip Kissam, 2011. Surveying Fundamentals and Practices,
6th Edition

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Fundamental of Surveying
(FUNSURV2)
MODULE 6

Transportation Engineering
 Holy Angel University
School of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Civil Engineering
Transportation Engineering

Station # 6
Mass Diagram

Introduction After knowing how to solve the earthworks volume. Here comes t
application of designing the land profile. An economical project is
the job of an engineer.

Content This chapter focuses on

➢ Freehaul and Overhaul
➢ Waste and Borrow
➢ Mass Diagram

Objectives After this chapter, the student should be able to

➢ Design the cut and fill of earthworks
➢ Solve problem about Economical Hauling

References Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, 2015. Elementray Surveying: An Introduction to
Geomatics, 14th Edition

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
Introduction to Mass Diagram

“Challenge yourself to be better”

Some author’s quote

Freehaul, Overhaul, Borrow and Waste

Normally, cost of excavation includes; cost of transporting of material (unwanted soil) from
either cut or fill for a maximum distance called the freehaul distance (F.H.D.), but transporting of
material for a distance greater than freehaul is called overhaul distance (O.H.D.).

Freehaul
Distance with which there is a fixed price for excavating, hauling and dumping regardless
of the distance moved.

Overhaul
Is the number of cubic meters of overhauled material multiplied by the overhaul
distance, this distance is measured between the center of gravity of cut and fill.

Borrow
It is the location away from the Right of Way and it is chosen by the Engineer. The
borrow pits soil should be comply with the followed specification.

Waste
It is the unwanted excavation material which should be disposed out of Right of Way.

Shrinkage or Swell Factor

It is well known that one cubic meter of excavation on amount will not occupies exactly 1
3
m of space in the fill, so adjusting is required. This can be done by using the shrinkage or

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Station 6 – Mass Diagram
Limit of Economic Haul (LEH)
Distance beyond which it is more economical to borrow or waste than to haul from the
project.

Free Haul Distance (FHD)

Distance material is moved without additional compensation to the contractor. Agreed
to before project starts.

Waste

Overhaul

Borrow

Formula:
𝐶𝑏 𝐶
𝐿𝐸𝐻 = + 𝐹𝐻𝐷
𝐶ℎ

Where:
Cb = Cost of Borrow
C = Distance between Stations
Ch = Cost of Haul

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
Sample Problem:
1. The earthworks data of a proposed highway is shown on the tabulated data.
Length of Economic Haul = 450 m
Free Haul Distance = 50 m
Stationing of limits of economic haul:
=2+498.03 and 2+948.03
Stationing of limits of free haul
=2+713.12 and 2+763.12
Assuming the ground surface to be uniformly sloping towards the balancing point.

a.) Compute the overhaul volume

b.) Compute the volume of waste
c.) Compute the volume of borrow

Solution:

First, illustrate the problem

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Station 6 – Mass Diagram

a) Volume of Overhaul
Using ratio and proportion

Triangle 1:
ℎ 50
=
26.88 300

ℎ = 4.48

Triangle 2:
𝑎 50
=
241.97 300

𝑎 = 40.33

Using the trapezoid:

𝑎+ℎ
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 215.09
2
40.33+4.48
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 215.09
2
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 4819.10 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

b) Volume of Waste
Using the trapezoid:

𝑎+50
𝑊𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 58.03
2

40.33+50
𝑊𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 58.03
2

𝑊𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 2620.92 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

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Station 6 – Mass Diagram
c) Volume of Borrow
Using ratio and proportion
Triangle 3:
𝑐 70
=
208.03 300
𝑐 = 48.54

Using the Trapezoid

𝑐+70
𝐵𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 58.03
2
48.54+70
𝐵𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 58.03
2
𝐵𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 5451.06 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

2. The given data off a proposed Manila-Cavite Coastal road is tabulated below. The free haul
distance is 50m, and the cost of borrow is 420 pesos per cu.m, cost of excavation is 350 pesos
per cu.m and the cost of haul is 21 pesos per meter station. Assuming the ground surface to be
uniformly sloping towards the balancing point.

a) Compute the length of economic haul

b) Compute the free haul volume
c) Compute the station limits of the free haul

Solution:
First, illustrate the problem

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Station 6 – Mass Diagram

a) LEH
𝐶𝑏 𝐶
𝐿𝐸𝐻 = + 𝐹𝐻𝐷
𝐶ℎ
(420)(20)
𝐿𝐸𝐻 = + 50
21
𝐿𝐸𝐻 = 450 𝑚.

b) Free haul Volume

Using ratio and proportion

Triangle 1: Triangle 2:
ℎ 41.13 47.85 𝑦
= =
𝑥 241.97 208.03 50−𝑥
ℎ = 0.176𝑥 𝑦 = 0.23(50 − 𝑥)

ratio and proportion of Triangle Area

1(ℎ𝑥) 1[𝑦(50−𝑥)]
=
2 2
1[(0.17𝑥)(𝑥) 1[(0.23(50−𝑥))(50−𝑥)]
=
2 2
0.86𝑥 = 50 − 𝑥
𝑥 = 26.88

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
Substitute the value of x
ℎ = 0.176𝑥 = 0.176(26.88)
ℎ = 4.57

Using the triangle of h and x

ℎ𝑥
𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝐻𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 =
2

4.57(26.88)
𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝐻𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 =
2

𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝐻𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 61.42 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

c) Overhaul Volume
Using the trapezoid
41.13+ℎ
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 (241.97 − 𝑥)
2
41.13+4.57
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝑥 (241.97 − 26.88)
2
𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 4915 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚

Mass Diagram
It is a diagram provides a suitable means for studying haul and overhaul to compute the total
payment. It’s x-axis represents the distance in stations, while the y-axis represents the cumulative
volume (the algebraic sum of excavations and embankment between any selected points) after
correction due to soil condition.

Characteristic 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 for 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.

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
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.

The Mass Diagram tell us:

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

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Station 6 – Mass Diagram

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
Mass Diagram
• Right upward arrow indicates cut
• Right downward arrow indicates fill
• The peak indicates transition from cut to fill
• The valley indicates transition from fill to cut

Questions

1. Why do we need to know the Mass diagram?

2. Explain the freehaul and overhaul. (100 words)
3. What will happen if there is more waste than borrow?
4. Explain the meaning of shrinkage factor. (100 words)

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 Station 6 – Mass Diagram
References: This part includes online references. This is to avoid plagiarism in the content of the
modules.

Chapter 6:
Charles D. Ghilani and Paul R. Wolf, 2015. Elementray Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics, 14 th
Edition
Jerry Nathanson, Michael T. Lanzafama, and Philip Kissam, 2011. Surveying Fundamentals and Practices,
6th Edition

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