Leonardo Casanova M.

Elements of Geometry

[Link] VOLUME BETWEEN CROSS SECTIONS

Generally, the calculation of the volumes are created from sections

transverse taken perpendicularly along the central axis.

The cross sections can be: trench cut, hillside cut, fill, or
terracing and halfway up the slope. Figure 1-12 graphically represents the different types of
cross-sections.

Figure 1-12. Types of cross sections

The distance or separation between two consecutive sections depends on the topography of the
zone, recommending sections every 40 m in flat terrains and every 20 m in hilly terrains
mountain. In addition, sections should be drawn at the characteristic points of the alignment, such as
like the points where horizontal curves begin and end, and at those points where
the terrain shows significant fractures.

The most commonly used methods for calculating the volumes corresponding to the movement
of land, are the method of the average areas and the method of the prismoid, which are described,
briefly, below.

[Link].1 METHOD OF AVERAGE AREAS

Various factors such as the irregularities of the natural terrain, difficulty in

determine the exact configuration of the cross-sections along the axis of the
via, the inevitable differences between the original project and the finished sections, etc.
they justify the use of the approximate formula for average areas.

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

This method, undoubtedly the most used in our field, is the method required by the
Venezuelan Standards2for the determination of the cut and fill volumes in the
road construction.

In this method, the volume between two consecutive sections of the same type, whether in
cut in embankment, (Figure 1-13), is given by:

Figure 1-13. Volume between sections of the same type

1
V (A1A2) * d (1.19)
2
Where:

V = Volume between both sections3

A 1,A2Area of sections S1 and S22
d = Distance between sections in m

In the case of sections of different types, a transition line is generated (Figure 1-14), along
of which the ground level coincides with the level of the subgrade surface or surface
finished with the earthworks. In this particular case, between the two sections, there will be generated
a cut volume and an embankment volume.

2
Venezuelan Standards for Road Construction. (1985). Ministry of Transport and Communications
Caracas.

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

Figure 1-14. Volume between sections of different types

For practical purposes, it is assumed that the flow line is perpendicular to the axis. The VOLUME
OF CUT between the cutting area 'Ac' and the passage line area 'A0=0" and the VOLUME OF
TERRAPLEN between the embankment area 'Ar' and the crossing line area 'A'0=0", they are calculated
through the equations indicated below.

1
Vc (AA
c 0)d c (1.20)
2

1
Vr (AA
r 0)dr (1.21)
2
where:

Cut volume in m3
Ac, Ar = Areas of the cross sections in cut and embankment in m2
A 0Cross-sectional area at the passage line, A00
dc, dr = Cutting and filling distances in m2

To determine dc and dr, schematically represented in figure 1-14, by relationship of

triangles, we have:

Ac d Ar
dc * (1.22) r * (1.23)
AcAr 2 Ac Ar 2

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

substituting (1.22) and (1.23) into equations (1.20) and (1.21), there will be other expressions for
Vc and Vr:

Ac2 d Ar2 d
Vc * (1.24) Vr * 1.25
(Ac Ar2 (AA
c r2

Example 1.13

Calculate the volume between the cross-sections represented in figure E1-13.

Solution

For the solution to this problem,

we must observe that the section
S3 is a section halfway up the slope,
so its passing point must
to be projected to the sections
adjacent. In this way, it
determine the correspondence between
the areas of the middle section
slope and the areas of the sections
adjacent generated by the
projection of the waypoint.

The areas corresponding to each

one of the cross sections
they can to be calculated by
any of the methods
studied ( elemental figures,
By coordinates, etc.). Figure E1-13

As an illustration, we will calculate the area AR.1from section S1 by the method of figures
elementary and by coordinates.

Elementary figures

Of the multiple ways in which A can be decomposedR1for the area calculation by figures
elementary, we will decompose AR1in two triangles and two trapezoids, as shown in the
next figure.

The base and height of each of the shapes can be determined graphically by measuring.
directly on the figure at the corresponding scale.

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

Directly applying the known formulas we have:

4,77*5,66
A1 13.50
2

12
A25.66 7.89 81.30
2

12
A37,896,89 88.68
2

6,36 *6,89
A4 21.91
2

AR1= A1+A2+A3+A4205.39 m2

By coordinates

To calculate the area of a polygon by coordinates, it is necessary to determine the coordinates.

from the intersection points of the slopes with the ground (chamfers).

The coordinates of point b from the previous figure can be calculated by finding the intersection.
from line 1-2 with line a-b, applying equations 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7, where N corresponds to
the quota (Z) and E correspond to the distance to the axis (d).

Calculating the equation of line 1-2 we have,

Z bZ 1m1 (d bd 1) Z b46.13 m1 (d b21.64

(Z2Z b ) ( 4 2 , 11 4 6 , 1 3 )
m1 m1 m1 0.186
(d2d b) (0.00 21.64)

Z b0.186d b42,11 0 (equation of the line 1-2)

In the same way, calculating the equation of a - b we have;

Z b50 m2d( b 12) m 21(slope pending)

Z bd b62 0(line equation a - b)

Equating [A] with [B] we have

Zb= 45.23
b-16.77

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

Similarly, by intercepting the line 2-3 with c-d, we will have the coordinates of point d.

Zd= 43.64
dd18.36
Then, applying the procedure for
the calculation of areas explained in the point
[Link]. regarding section S1 we have,

POINT Z d
a 50.00 -12.00
c 50.00 12.00
d 43,64 18,36
2 42.11 0
b 45.23 -16.77
a 50.00 -12.00

205.36 m2

Volume Calculation

Volume between sections S1 and S2.

1
VRS1 S 2 AR1( AR2AR3)]
2

1
VRS1 S 2 [205.36(137.39 63.26)]*20 4,060.10m3
2

Volume between sections S2 and S3.

Being S3 on a gentle slope, a transverse crossing point is generated which defines the area.
corresponding to cutting and filling in S3.

It is observed that between S2 and S3 there is a transition from filling to cutting, consequently, a ...
passing point in a longitudinal direction

Fill Volume:

2
1 AR2 1 137.392
V R2 C1 *d 20,915.11m3
2 AC1AR2 2 68.88 137.39

AR3AR4 63.26
V R3 R4 *d 20,769.80m3
2 2

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

VRS2-S3= VR2-C1+VR3-R41,684.91 m3Filling volume between S2 and S3

Cut Volume:

1 AC2 1 1 68.882
VC1 R2 *d 20,230.01m3
2 AC1AR2 2 68.88 137.39

VCS2-S3= VC1-R2230.01 m3 Cut volume between S2 and S3

Volume between sections S3 and S4.

Filling Volume:

1 AR2 4 1 13.722
V R4 C3 *d 20 26.72m3
2 AR4AC3 2 13.72 56.74

VRS3-S4= VR4-C326.72 m3 (Volume of fill between S3 and S4)

Cut Volume:

1 AC2 3 1 56.742
VC3 R4 *d 20,456.92m3
2 AC3AR4 2 56,74 13,72

AC1AC 2 68.88
VC1 *d 20 2,179.10m3
2 2

VCS3-S4=VC3-R4+VC1-C22,636.02 m3(Cut volume between S3 and S4)

TOTAL FILL VOLUME

VR = VRS1-S2 +VRS2-S3+VRS3-S45,771.73 m3

TOTAL CUT VOLUME

VC = VCS2-S3 + VCS3-S4 2,866.03 m3

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Leonardo Casanova M. Elements of Geometry

Organizing the data in a tabular form, it will have:

CALCULATION OF VOLUME
AREA (m)2) VOLUME (m3)
DISTANCE SECTION AR AC VR VC
S1 205.34 ----
20.00 4,060.10 ----
S2 200,65 ----
20.00 1.684,91 230.01
S3 13.72 68.88
20.00 26.72 2,636.02
S4 149.03 + 56.74

5.771,73 2.866,03

[Link].2 PRISM METHOD

The midpoint method has the advantage of being an easy-to-understand method.

to implement, but it has the disadvantage that its results are not exact as it assumes that
the cross-sectional area varies linearly with length.

In some particular cases, it is necessary to calculate the volume with greater precision, for
what is resorted to the method of the prismoid.

A prismoid is a solid whose end faces are parallel and whose lateral surfaces are
flat or curved.

A common example of a prismoid used in earthworks is shown in the figure.

1-15

Figure 1-15. Prismoid with cross-sections.

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