Chapter 3

Measuring Excavation
and Sitework

Measuring Sitework and

Excavation Work Generally
Measuring sitework and excavation work is different from
measuring most of the other work of a construction project
because drawings show very little detail about sitework or
excavation.
Information about what is currently to be found at the site has to
be determined on a site visit.
Soil reports may be available for larger projects.
Excavation and backfill are measured by bank measure. This
leaves quantities unchanged, ignoring swell and compaction
factors.
The estimator needs to be aware of OSHA safety requirements for
excavations.

Calculating Volumes of Excavation

and Backfill for Trenches

Trenches are measured using the following formula:

Volume of trench = centerline length x average width x average depth

Example: volume of excavation for Figure 3.1:
Average depth of wall = (5.0 + 7.0) / 2 = 6.0
Average width of wall:
Width of footing
3.0
Add for work space 2.0 (2 x 1-0)
Add for cutback 6.0 (2 x depth) 11.0

Volume of trench: = 100 x 11.0 x 6

= 6600 cu. ft.
= 244 CY

Backfill Example

Backfill for Figure 3.1:

Backfill volume = excavation volume footing volume wall volume

= 6600 (100.0 x 3.0 x 2.0) (100.0 x 1.0 x 4.0)
(Note that only the portion of the wall that is in the trench is
deducted, so the height of wall in the trench is the average trench
depth minus 2-0 for the footing: 6-0 2-0 is 4-0)
= 6600 600 400 = 5600 cubic feet
= 5600 / 27 cubic yards

Backfill volume = 207.4 cubic yards

Basement Volumes (1 of 2)
Basement volume = average length x average width x average
depth
Example: Figure 3.2 Basement Excavation

Average depth = (5.83 + 4.17 + 3.33 + 4.67) / 4

= 4.5
Average length:
Building length: 40.0
Add for work space 2.0 ( 2 x 1-0)
Add for cutback 4.5 (2 x depth of excavation)
Total Length
= 46.5

Basement Volumes (2 of 2)

Average width of excavation:

Width of building: 28.0
Add for work space
2.0 ( 2 x 1-0)
Add for cutback 4.5 (2 x depth of excavation)
Total Width = 34.5
Volume of Trench: = 46.5 x 34.5 x 4.5,
= 7219 cu. ft.
= 267.4 CY

Grid Method of Calculating Cut

and Fill Quantities (1 of 2)
Calculation by the "grid method" requires a
survey of the site showing the elevation of the
existing grade at each intersection point on a
grid.
The elevation of the required new grade is also
plotted at each intersection point and from these
two elevations the depth of cut or fill is obtained.

Grid Method of Calculating Cut and

Fill Quantities (2 of 2)

Cut volumes are calculated separately from

fill volumes:

Multiply depth of cut (or fill) at an intersection

point by the area covered by this point.
Add together all of the individual cut volumes
(or fill volumes).

Rules of Measurement
for Excavation and Backfill
These are some of the rules of measurement:
Excavations, backfill, and fill material shall be measured in cubic
yards bank measure.
If different types of material will be encountered in the
excavations, each type of material shall be described and
measured separately.
Different types of excavations and backfill material shall be
classified and measured separately.
An item of disposal of surplus soil shall be measured when there
is excess excavated material. (Alternatively, the price of disposal
of surplus excavated materials can be included with the
excavation price.)

Takeoff Exercise
Takeoff the excavation, backfill, and service
trench work for the house example shown on
Figure 3.5 drawings.
See Figures 3.6A and 3.6B.