Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
(OP)
Just wanted to get some input as to the methods others use to estimate volumes of dirt from utility trenches. I am only interested in pipe spoils really, what is remaining after excavation and backfill.
I am an Agtek User and find it I can't get a final volume using earthwork 3D. I can calc the whole trench volume, but it takes a lot of work. Materials 3D will probably do the job if proper set up is done. But you can't apply swell factors or map the strata in that program. I am not currently using that program to the best of it's aility.
What methods do you use to determine pipe spoils on a project when dealing with over all site balance? Is there an easier way than determining linear footage by hand calc's and applying the trench cross sectional area?
If you're an Agtek user, how are you using earthwork 3D to determine final trench spoils?
Any input would be great.
I am an Agtek User and find it I can't get a final volume using earthwork 3D. I can calc the whole trench volume, but it takes a lot of work. Materials 3D will probably do the job if proper set up is done. But you can't apply swell factors or map the strata in that program. I am not currently using that program to the best of it's aility.
What methods do you use to determine pipe spoils on a project when dealing with over all site balance? Is there an easier way than determining linear footage by hand calc's and applying the trench cross sectional area?
If you're an Agtek user, how are you using earthwork 3D to determine final trench spoils?
Any input would be great.





RE: Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
RE: Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
RE: Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
Agtek has fallen behind the technology, unfortunately. It looks like insite (http://www.insitesoftware.com/) has added that functionality to their software. I hope Agtek will catch up!!!! It will make takeoffs soooo much nicer and much more accurate.
RE: Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
your spoils should typically be a small percentage of your trench excavation. If your shrinkage is high enough and your pipe/bedding volume small, you could wind up short of backfill material. Of course this all assumes your material is suitable for use as backfill. Where are you located?
RE: Earthwork: Estimating Utilities
digitize the top of trench from profiles
digitize invert of pipe from profile
set a typical section for the trench including...
outside dia of pipe
the geometry of the trench including the depth of bedding
material, bottom of trench width, hieght of vertical rise from invert (if any), side slope on remainder of trench, additional depth of "select" backfill (if any) and shrinkage factor for the earth backfill.
The program calculates the length of the pipeline, the total excavation volume (inc the undercut for bedding,
the cy or tonnage of bedding, the cy or tonnage of select
backfill, the cy of earth backfill inc. shrinkage.
Some will also give you cut classification (how many feet at 0 to 6, 6 to 8, etc) strata volumes and cy of excess
excavated material.
Google "trenchwork"
My daughter wrote such a (dos based) program for me in the mid 80's.
Some vendors are Paydirt, Quest, and Insite (I think) and many more.
Good Luck