Kwame Nkrumah University of

Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Lecture 4:
Methods of Computing Areas and
Volumes for Earthworks Quantities

Samuel Osah (Ph.D.)

Department of Geomatic Engineering
College of Engineering, KNUST August 2022 1
 Unit overview
• This unit provides an overview of:
• Areas of regular shapes
• Areas of irregular shapes

• Volume computations

2 www.knust.edu.gh
 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology

Methods for computing volumes of

earthworks
❖Objective: Compute volume of earthworks
using various techniques
• End areas methods
• Prismoidal methods
• Volume from contours
• Volume from DTMs
• Volume from pot heights 3
 Volume Computations

❖In many engineering projects, earthwork involves excavation and

removal of dumping of earth, therefore, it is required to make good
estimates of volumes of earthwork.

❖Volume computations are also needed to determine the capacity of bins,

tanks, and reservoirs, and to check the stockpiles of coal, gravel, and other
material.

❖Volumes of materials can be calculated in a number of ways, depending

on the project concerned. The three major methods involve the use of
cross-sections, spot heights and contours.

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 Volume Computations
Methods for computing volumes
A. Geometric shapes B. Irregular shapes
• standard formulae • between cross sections
• rectangular prisms
• end areas
• wedges
• prismoids
• triangular prisms
• regular polygons • contours
• cylinders • DTMs
• cones • spot heights
• spheres
• spheroids
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Volume Computations

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 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
• Volumes computed from cross-sections can be estimated from:
• Cross-sections
obtained from field surveys or extracted from terrain
models or topographic maps
• End area method

• Prismoidal rule

❖ Examples
▪ Stockpile volumes
▪ Volumes of lakes
▪ Earthworks for roads, railways, buildings, or other engineering construction
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
❖ What are sections?
• Before long narrow constructions such as roads can be designed, an accurate
representation of the ground surface over which they are to be constructed
must be obtained. One method of doing this is by sectioning.
• Sections can be used to outline ground profiles (and structures) from site
data taken from topographical surveys.
• Sections are usually drawn to the same horizontal scale as the map, but an
exaggerated vertical scale is used to give the relief features suitable emphasis.

• The choice of vertical scale may vary according to the steepness and
amplitude of the relief but is commonly about ten times that of the
horizontal scale.
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
❖ What are sections?
❖ TYPES
• Basically, there are two types of sections:
1. Longitudinal sections
2. Cross-sections
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. Longitudinal sections or profiles are transecting lines of a contour
map that help to reveal the undulating nature of the ground surface.
•A longitudinal section shows the shape or profile of the existing
ground surface along the proposed centre line of the construction.
•It is produced by plotting distances to points along the centre line
against their heights and it is prepared when determining the most
economic formation level for a new construction, for example, a
proposed road.
• NOTE: Longitudinal section provides information only along the centre
line.DR E. M. OSEI JNR 10
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. Longitudinal sections
• Formation level is the term used to describe the level specified by the designer to which
the existing ground surface is to be constructed or formed.

• This is the expected finished ground level in a road design.

• It is the level at which excavation ceases and construction commences.
• The deepest point of excavation; the starting level, is usually expressed as a
depth below ground level, for the construction of a structure.
• It is that level formed after either cut or fill has been finished.
• In any construction work, the aim is always to ensure that the project is
constructed
DR at its correct formation level.
E. M. OSEI JNR 11
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. Longitudinal sections
• Formation level is the term used to describe the level specified by the designer to
which the existing ground surface is to be constructed or formed.
• The difference between the ground level and the formation level at any given point
will give the depth of cutting or height of embankment (filling) depending on
whether the formation level is lower or above the ground level.

DR E. M. OSEI JNR 12
 Volume Computations
1. Longitudinal sections

• An embankment is either a man-made or naturally-

formed wall on the side of a river that prevents water
from carrying over during a flood. They often serve an
important role in ensuring flooding does not occur to
either side of the river, which can cause issues with the
land being used for a range of purposes.
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 Volume Computations
1. Longitudinal sections

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 Volume Computations
1. Longitudinal sections
Embankment

15
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. Longitudinal sections
❖USES
1. They may be used to estimate the inter-visibility of features in the landscape.
2. Profiles show the relief of the land along given transect lines of a contour map and
hence help map-readers to readily visualize the undulations of the ground surface.
3. Mainly to compute volumes of cut and fill for a proposed linear structure, such as
highways, railroads, transmission lines, and canals. Then the best route could be
chosen
4. The result: elevations at definite points (stations) along a reference line,
usually the
DR E. M. center
OSEI JNR line. 16
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. Longitudinal sections
❖USES
5. Used to determine the optimum position for the formation level.
6. Longitudinal sections are also used in conjunction with mass haul diagrams to plan
the movement of earth on a project.

• Note: As previously indicated, a longitudinal section defines the existing ground

surface along a proposed centre line very precisely, but it gives no indication of the
shape of the ground surface on either side of the centre line.

DR E. M. OSEI JNR 17
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Cross-Sections
• While a longitudinal section may be sufficient for planning works such as sewers
and pipelines, which only require narrow trenches, it is not sufficient for roads, where
embankments and cuttings are invariably required. Hence additional surface
information is normally required on each side of the proposed centre line and this is
done using cross-sections.
• Cross sections determine the lateral outline of the full width of proposed
construction.
• Cross sections indicate the shape of the existing ground surface perpendicular to the
proposed centre line.
• They are produced by plotting distances from the centre line pegs to points at right
angles to the centre line against their heights.
DR E. M. OSEI JNR 18
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Cross-Sections
• The data needed for sectioning can be obtained either directly on site using methods
involving levelling, total stations, or GNSS surveys, or indirectly in an office using
topographic maps, photogrammetric methods, or computers interrogating Digital
Terrain Models.

DR E. M. OSEI JNR 19
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
Profiling
• Consider the contour map as shown.
• It is desired to visualize the profile
between the two town positions A and
B for the purpose of constructing a
road to link them up.
• By drawing the transect line AB, the
heights at different distances is found
from the contour map and plotted
against the distances to obtain the
profile shown below.

DR E. M. OSEI JNR 20
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
❖Cross Sectional Area Calculations
• This is needed to calculate volume.
• Case I- Horizontal Ground
centre line
b b

A1
h A2 A3
h 1 1
1

n n n

x
wL WG
b b nh

• For a cut or fill with horizontal ground surface as shown in the figures above,
theDRcross sectional
E. M. OSEI JNR area is given by; 21
 Volume Computations b b

B. Volumes from sections A1

h A2 A3
1
❖Cross Sectional Area Calculations n

•Case I- Horizontal Ground x

wL WG

𝟏 𝟐
𝑨𝟏 = 𝑨𝟑 ; 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝑨𝟏 + 𝑨𝟑 = 𝟐 𝒉 𝒏 = 𝒉𝟐 𝒏
𝟐
𝑤𝐿 = 𝑤𝐺
𝑨𝟐 = 𝟐𝒃 𝒙 𝒉 = 𝟐𝒃𝒉
1: 𝑛 𝑎𝑠 ℎ: 𝑥 𝑨𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑨𝟏 + 𝑨𝟐 + 𝑨𝟑

𝟏 𝟐 𝟏 𝟐
𝑥 = ℎ𝑛 = 𝒉 𝒏 + 𝟐𝒃𝒉 + 𝒉 𝒏
𝟐 𝟐
1 ℎ2 𝑛 = 𝒉𝟐 𝒏 + 𝟐𝒃𝒉
𝐴1 = ℎ𝑛 x ℎ = 𝑨𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝒉(𝒉𝒏 + 𝟐𝒃)
2 2
DR E. M. OSEI JNR 22
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. End area method
V3
V2
V1
A4
A3
A1 A2 d
d
d

• h must be constant between sections. 𝐷 𝐷

𝑉1 = 𝐴 + 𝐴2 , 𝑉2 = 𝐴 + 𝐴3
2 1 2 2
• Comparable to the trapezoidal rule for areas
𝐷
𝑉𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 = 𝐴 + 2𝐴2 + 𝐴3
V1 = d/2 (A1 + A2 ) 2 1

V2 = d/2 (A2 + A3 ) 𝑉𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 =

𝐷
2
[𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝐶𝑆𝐴 + 𝐿𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝐶𝑆𝐴 + 2 ෍ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑆𝐴]

V3 = d/2 (A3 + A4 ) 𝐷
𝑉𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = [𝐴 + 𝐴𝑛 + 2(𝐴2 + 𝐴3 + 𝐴4 … 𝐴𝑛−1 ]
2 1
V total = d/2 (A1 + A2 + A2 + A3 + A3 + A4 )
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. End area method

• For a pair of parallel cross sections or contour

lines
• Volume between them is given by:
• For a series of adjacent sections/contours

A1 + A 2
V= *h
2

 A1 + A n n−1 
V = h *  +  A i 
 2 i= 2 
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
1. End area method
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method(SIMPSON’S VOLUME METHOD)
• A prismoid is the solid between two plane parallel
bases connected directly by plane sides.
• The sides are generated by straight lines from the edges
of the end areas.
• The two parallel ends, i.e 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 are not necessarily
equal in area. This is the difference between a
Prismoidal and a prism.
1. The ends or sections are parallel but not equal.
2. The sides are trapezoidal out not congruent.
• 𝐴1 ↿↾ 𝐴2 but 𝐴1 ≠ 𝐴2
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 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method
• Volume between sections considered to be a prismoid.

• Simpson's rule is applied for volumes computations

• NOTE: Here we consider the volume between three

cross-sections together as a prismoid.
• If the Prismoidal rule is applied where n is even, then it
must be applied to n-1 sections the volume between the
last two sections being calculated by trapezoidal
method, i.e the end-area method.

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 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method(SIMPSON’S VOLUME METHOD)
• Condition 1: The Cross Sectional Area must be odd.
Section 1 to 3;

𝑫
𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 = 𝑨 + 𝟒𝑨𝟐 + 𝑨𝟑
𝟑 𝟏
Section 3 to 5;

𝑫
𝑽𝟑 + 𝑽𝟒 = 𝑨 + 𝟒𝑨𝟒 + 𝑨𝟓
𝟑 𝟑
𝑫
(𝑽𝟏 +𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑 + 𝑽𝟒 ) = (𝑨 + 𝟒 𝑨𝟐 + 𝑨𝟒 + 𝟐𝑨𝟑 + 𝑨𝟓 )
𝟑 𝟏
𝑫
(𝑽𝟏 +𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑 + 𝑽𝟒 ) = 𝑨 + 𝟒𝑨𝟐 + 𝟐𝑨𝟑 + 𝟒𝑨𝟒 + ⋯ + 𝟐𝑨𝒏−𝟐 + 𝟒𝑨𝒏−𝟏 + 𝑨𝒏
𝟑 𝟏
Where n must be odd

𝑫
𝑽𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑪𝑺𝑨 + 𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑪𝑺𝑨 + 𝟒 ෍ 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝑺𝑨 + 𝟐 ෍ 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒅𝒅 𝑪𝑺𝑨
𝟑
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method(SIMPSON’S VOLUME METHOD)
V1 V2

A1 A2 A3
d d

V1 + V2 = d/3 ( A1 + 4 A2 + A3 )
V3 + V4 = d/3 ( A3 + 4 A4 + A5 )
V5 + V6 = d/3 ( A5 + 4 A6 + A7 )
V total = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 + V5 + V6
= d/3 ( A1 + 4 A2 + A3 ) + d/3 ( A3 + 4 A4 + A5 ) + d/3 ( A5 + 4 A6 + A7 )
=d/3 ( A1 + 4 A2 + 4 A4 + 4 A6 +2 A3 + 2A5 +A7 )
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method(SIMPSON’S VOLUME METHOD)
• In general, for an n odd cross-sections
V total = d/3 ( A1 + An + 4  (even areas) + 2  (odd areas))

• The method is comparable to Simpson’s rule for areas and is more accurate
than the method of end areas

• The assumption is that the volume contained between a series of cross sections
at a constant distance apart can be approximated to the volume of a prismoid.

30
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
2. Prismoidal method(SIMPSON’S VOLUME METHOD)

Remarks
• Approximation of volumes becomes more accurate if shorter
lengths are used

• The end area methods give a good approximation if the areas of the
cross sections involved are of the same order of magnitude

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 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from spot heights
• Often used to obtain volumes of a high heap of excavation where formation level
can be sloping, horizontal, or terraced
• Square, rectangular or triangular grids is established on the ground, and spot levels
are taken at the grid intersections
• Smaller grids provide relatively higher accuracy than bigger grids. However smaller
grids require more field work than bigger grids
• The method assumes a constant surface slope between grid intersections
Volume = plan area * mean height

32
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections h1 h2 h3 H4

Square
V1 V2 V3 Grid
3. Volumes from spot heights h5 h6 h7 h8

Volume from SPOT Heights: D

rectangular, square or triangular Grid. Rectangular grids
D h5

Square grids
𝒅𝟏 𝒙 𝒅𝟐
𝑽= ෍ 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓
𝟒
𝑨 𝑨
𝑽𝟏 = 𝒉 + 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒉𝟓 + 𝒉𝟔 , 𝑽𝟐 = 𝒉 + 𝒉𝟑 + 𝒉𝟔 + 𝒉𝟕
𝟒 𝟏 𝟒 𝟐 Triangular grids
h1 d1 h2
Since A is D x D= D2 = A (m2).
𝒅𝟏 𝒙 𝒅𝟐
d2 𝑽 = 𝑨 𝐱 𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝟑 𝑽= ෍ 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 ⇒ 𝑽
𝟔
h4
𝑽𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍
h3 𝟏 𝟏
𝑨 = ∙ 𝑩 ∙ 𝑯 ෍ 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓
= ൭෍ 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 + 𝟐 ෍ 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝟐 𝟑
𝟒

𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒙 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 σ 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒙 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓

+ 𝟑 ෍ 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 + 𝟒 ෍ 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉൱ ⇒ 𝒙
𝟐 𝟑
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections h1 h2 h3 h4
3. Volumes from spot heights
h8 h7 h6 h5
V1 = A/4 ( h1+ h2+ h7+ h8)
V2 = A/4 (h2 + h3 + h6 + h7) h9 h10 h11
V3 = A/4 ( h3+ h4+ h5+ h6)
V4 = A/4 (h6 + h5 + h11 + h10) h1 h2 h3 H4

Square
V5 = A/4 ( h7+ h6+ h10+ h9) V1 V2 V3 Grid
h5 h6 h7 h8

D
D h5
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
Volumes from spot heights
▪ V total = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 + V5
= A/4 ( h1 + 2h2 + 2h3 + h4+2h5+4h6 + 3h7 + h8 +
h9 + 2h10 + h11)
In general,
▪ V total = A/4 ( single depth +2double depth
+3triple depth + 4 quadruple depth)

35
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from spot heights
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from spot heights
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from spot heights
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from spot heights
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from Contour Maps
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from Contour Maps
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
4. Volume from contours
• Suitable for calculating volumes such as those of reservoirs,
earth dams, spoil heaps, etc
• The system adopted is to calculate the plan area enclosed by of
each contour
• The contour interval provides the distance between cross
sections
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
4. Volume from contours
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
4. Volume from contours
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
4. Volume from contours
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from Contour Maps
 Volume Computations
B. Volumes from sections
3. Volumes from Contour Maps
DTMs

• When volume is between two surfaces, H is the

height difference between them at each grid point
• For example the volume of a reservoir

48
DTMs

• Volume of each grid cell computed to a base level

• For a whole surface

H1 + H2 + H3 + H4
V= *A
4

* ( Hone + 2 *  Htwo + 3 *  Hthree + 4 *  Hfour )

A
V=
4

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Thank You

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