Key idea & variables
• (L,W) — foundation length and width (m)
• (d) — excavation depth (m)
• (c) — working clearance (over-excavation) around the foundation (m) — often 0.3–1.0 m
depending on site rules
• (s) — side slope expressed as horizontal per vertical (e.g. 1.5 means 1.5 m horizontal for
each 1 m vertical)
• (A_{plan}) — plan (top) area of the excavation (m²)
• (V) — approximate excavation volume (m³)
1) Simple rectangular footing (vertical sides, only clearance)
If sides are vertical (no sloping/batter) and you just add clearance (c) all round:
[
L_{exc} = L + 2c \
W_{exc} = W + 2c \
A_{plan} = L_{exc}\times W_{exc} = (L+2c)(W+2c)
]
Approx. volume (prism): (V \approx A_{plan}\times d).
Example 1
(L=10,\text{m},; W=6,\text{m},; c=0.5,\text{m},; d=2.0,\text{m})
(L_{exc}=10+2(0.5)=11,\text{m})
(W_{exc}=6+2(0.5)=7,\text{m})
(A_{plan}=11\times7=77\ \text{m}^2)
(V\approx77\times2.0=154\ \text{m}^3)
2) Rectangular footing with sloped sides (batter)
If the trench/pit has sloped sides, each horizontal offset per side is (d\times s). Include
clearance (c) as well:
[
\Delta = c + d\cdot s \quad\text{(one side offset)}\
L_{exc}=L+2\Delta,\quad W_{exc}=W+2\Delta\
A_{plan}=(L+2\Delta)(W+2\Delta)
]
Volume for sloped sides is more accurately found from geometry; a conservative approximate
volume is (V \approx A_{plan}\times d) (this slightly overestimates for simple pits but is fine for
planning).
Example 2 (same footing but sloped sides)
Same footing (L=10,;W=6,;d=2.0,;c=0.5). Use slope (s=1.5) (1.5H:1V).
(\Delta=0.5 + 2.0\times1.5 = 0.5 + 3.0 = 3.5\ \text{m})
(L_{exc}=10+2\times3.5=17\ \text{m})
(W_{exc}=6+2\times3.5=13\ \text{m})
(A_{plan}=17\times13=221\ \text{m}^2)
Approx. (V\approx221\times2.0=442\ \text{m}^3)
3) Trench excavation (long narrow footing)
For a trench length (L_t), trench width (w), depth (d), clearance (c), slope (s):
[
w_{exc} = w + 2(c + d\cdot s) \
A_{plan} = L_t \times w_{exc} \
V \approx A_{plan}\times d
]
Example 3 (trench)
(L_t=30,\text{m},; w=1.0,\text{m},; d=1.5,\text{m},; c=0.3,\text{m},; s=1.0)
Per side offset (=0.3 + 1.5\times1.0 = 1.8\ \text{m}). So (w_{exc}=1 + 2\times1.8 = 4.6\ \text{m})
(A_{plan} = 30\times4.6 = 138.0\ \text{m}^2)
(V \approx 138.0\times1.5 = 207.0\ \text{m}^3)
Quick checklist for accurate results
1. Decide whether sides are vertical or sloped. Use slope (s) if sloped.
2. Choose reasonable clearance (c) (site dependent).
3. Use the formulas above to compute (A_{plan}).
4. If you need true excavation volume for sloped pits, ask for a section calculation
(prism/trapezoidal solids) — the (A_{plan}\times d) is a safe planning estimate but
slightly conservative for sloped walls.
5. Always state units (m, m², m³) and round sensibly for ordering materials/machinery.