Volume Calculations

Question 1

What are the 3 methods of Measurements?

Answer 1

• Cross-section method
• Unit-area method (borrow-pit method)
• Contour-area method

Question 2

Cross-Section Method

Answer 2

• Used almost exclusively for calculating volumes on linear construction projects. eg: Highways, Railways, Canals
• There are several typical cross sections encountered when calculating manually (from survey)
1) Level section (flat conditions)
2) Three-level section
3) Five-level section (rough topography)
4) Irregular section (rough topography)
5) Transition section (cut and fill)
6) Side-hill section (cut and fill)
• The areas of these sections are called “end areas”

Question 3

Unit-Area Method

Answer 3

• Used for projects where the feature being measured is not linear
• A grid of squares is laid out over the survey area
• An elevation value is measured at each grid line intersection
• The cut or fill volume is calculated at each grid intersection
• For each square the average height is calculated from the 4 corners to calculate the volume for that square

Question 4

Contour Area Method

Answer 4

• Volumes based on contours
• Suitable for determining volumes over a large area
• The area contained by two adjacent contour is calculated

Question 5

What are some considerations when taking volume?

Answer 5

• Volume: bank vs loose vs compacted
• Shrinkage
• Swell

Question 6

What are the different types of Volume

Answer 6

• Bank volume
undisturbed volume
Volume in-place, in-situ
• Loose volume
Volume of excavated material (post excavation)
• Compacted volume
Volume of material after compaction