CALCULATING VOLUMES

Unit area/Borrow-pit method

The Grid Method (also known as the Borrow Pit Method) extends DAM to an excavation of
varying depths. Borrow-pit levelling calculates the excavation volume by applying a grid to the
excavation area. The grids can be staked to squares of 10, 20, 50, 100, or more feet depending on
the project size and the accuracy desired. For each grid square, final elevations are established for
each corner of every grid square. These are subtracted from the existing elevations at the same
location to determine the depth of cut or height of fill at each corner. For each grid square an
average of the depths/heights of the four corners is multiplied by the area of the square to
determine the volume of earthwork associated with the grid area. The total earthwork volume for
the project is calculated by adding the volumes of each grid square in the excavation area. Volumes
are calculated as follows:
V =((D1 +D2 +D3 +D4) / 4) * A * (1/27)
Where,
V =volume (cubic yards)
A =area of the grid square (square feet)
D =depth of cut/fill at each grid corner (feet)

The Contour Area Method (CAM)
The Contour Area Method (CAM) uses the area of the
excavation elevation contour lines to determine volumes. From a
topographic map of the site, the areas enclosed by regular
contour intervals are measured. This area measurement can be
done by hand with a planimeter, electronically by a digitizer, or
directly with a CADD program. I f the horizontal areas enclosed
by each contour line are large relative to the elevation difference
between the two contour elevations, averaging the two areas and
multiplying the average by the height difference can determine
volumes. However, for relatively small earthworks (like spoil
piles and borrow areas), volumes can be calculated based on the
formula for the volume of a truncated pyramid:
V =(h / 3) * (B1 +B2 +sqrt[B1* B2] ) * (1/27)
Where,
V =volume (cubic yards)
B1, B2 =areas of the contour elevation lines (square feet)
H =elevation difference between the contour elevations (feet)