Construction from the ground up is an incredibly delicate and highly detailed process. While a large part of creating a structure relies on infrastructure design and aesthetic appeal, any seasoned engineer or architect will understand the importance of earthwork modeling.
For engineers, architects, and designers, the physical restrictions of the landscape can pose obstacles to overcome and challenges to be met. Determining the make and stability of the soil, and considering gradients, composition, and water flow, are all integral parts of constructing a safe and durable structure.
This is where earthwork modeling software comes into play.
Being able to create accurate renderings of the landscape not only determine architectural and design limitations, but it also relegates the amount of physical cutting and filling that will take place in the process.
The Basics of Earthwork Modeling
In short, earthworks modeling takes “into account the regrading of sites to achieve development plateaus that recognize drainage levels, subsurface structures and any contamination.”
Earthworks modeling is generally the first step for engineers and architects looking to build a structure from scratch. It not only illuminates issues that could affect the stability and safety of the building, but it also incorporates geological information, such as strata elevations, which help to develop schema for contoured surfaces and determines soil materials.
Putting the data into action allows “for calculating an optimal cut/fill balance which minimizes haul distances and material removed offsite,” as well as estimating “the quantity of surface/subsurface hard material that can be crushed to form 6F2/6F5 material that may be required for use as road/pavement areas capping, piling platforms or as structural fill.”
Earthworks modeling also aides in assessing the need for soil inversion, the burial of the non-absorbent topsoil, which reduces or eliminates the need to export soil and materials offsite.
Earthwork Modeling Calculations
The success of earthworks modeling comes down to the accuracy of the calculations used to create drawings and renderings of the landscape. With the advancements in technology and the burgeoning use of earthworks modeling software, acquiring accurate calculations has been drastically simplified.
- Earthwork Terminology
Before venturing into the different types of earthwork modeling calculations, it’s beneficial to obtain a firm understanding of the terminology used in earthwork excavation.
1) Earthwork
Used primarily in engineering projects where the end result is created via the “moving and/or processing of massive quantities of soil or unformed rock. Earthwork is done to reconfigure the topography of a site to achieve the design levels. Earthwork involves cutting and filling to achieve the required topography.”
2) Cutting
Acquiring desired topography via exporting earth material from the work site.
3) Filling
Acquiring desired topography via importing earth material into the work site.
- Calculation Methods
Modern day tools including GPS, Total Station, LIDAR and Microsoft Excel have redefined how earthwork modeling volume calculations are derived. With that said, there are three main methods used for determining these calculations: the average method, the block method, and the section method.
1) Average Method
The most important aspect when using the average method is that it can only be used in tandem with cutting or filling. NBM & CW construction explains, “In this method Levels at each grid point is found out. Difference between the Average of Two Sets of Levels multiplied by Area gives the Result.”
2) Block Method
The block method allows for a middle ground between the average and the section method. While the calculations are simpler than the section method, it is oftentimes more accurate than the average method. The block method is achieved when the “volume of cutting or filling is found out for each block and added together to get the final volume.”
3) Section Method
By far, the section method provides the most accurate of results, yet requires the most advanced mathematical skill or software program.
NBM & CW Construction breaks down the section method:
“In this method Sections are drawn for Each Line of Value. Area of Cutting and Filling is found out for each Section with Trapezoidal Method or Nett Area Calculation Method. Then volume is determined by multiplying Average Area with Distance between Sections. This method is more accurate, but for larger area, finding the area becomes difficult as we need to find intersection of points where lines representing Surfaces meet.”
Finding the Right Software
The importance of acquiring high-quality and compatible earthwork modeling software is integral for successful design. With that said, there are many options to choose from when selecting the appropriate software for your needs. From estimating earthworks costs to actual three-dimensional rendering based upon geological data, determining the ultimate goal of the software use is the best way to select the most useful software.
Earthwork Modeling Software
- Tally Systems
Tally Systems is one of the most popular, well-known, and trusted earthwork excavation software available. With that said, this excavation software is best used for work involving concrete, heavy highway construction, and landscaping.
Per SoftwareAdvice.com, “the product is offered only a best-of-breed basis which means that you will have integrate it with your other software or use it as a standalone system. The takeoff system is compatible with most digital files such as TIF and DXF. The standard package comes with onscreen takeoff, so buyers that want digitizer functionality should expect to a pay little more.”
- Viewpoint Earthworks
While Tally Systems may be well established in the earthworks excavating world, Viewpoint Earthworks offers more diverse usability. Well suited for companies and projects of any size and make, Viewpoint offers “a solution designed to handle the demands of contractors involved in earthwork, excavating, and underground utility contracting.”
For earthwork modeling, this is a great tool. It not only provides realistic three-dimensional renderings of the final landscape designs, but it also has the ability to integrate with GPS and machine control products used in automated surveying processes. Lastly, Viewpoint offers an excellent resource for digital integration, which provides cut and fill quantities and digital takeoff.
- Win-Ex GRADE by Roctek
Win-Ex GRADE, developed by Roctek, provides a versatile on-site development tool.
Per SoftwareAdvice.com, Wine-Ex GRADE “allows users to import images from Vector PDF, DWG and DXF CAD files or other image supported formats such as JPG, TIF and BMP. With WinEx-GRADE navigation tools, designers can develop digital drawings with high accuracy and precision.”
Different from both Tally and Viewpoint, Win-Ex GRADE uses proprietary software, including LineTracker technology and Dynamic Zoombox, for pixel level precision renderings. This system also allows users to create multiple page drawings of one takeoff and automatizes subgrade quantities, such as interior streets and parking spaces. Win-Ex GRADE also features “lone & connected spot routines, trench routines, 3D cut and fill and elevation maps.”
- Carlson Takeoff
Carlson Takeoff is offered in two forms: Takeoff OEM and Takeoff Suite.
The main difference between these two configurations is AutoCAD®. For those unfamiliar with AutoCAD, it’s incredibly intelligent and highly skilled computer-aided drafting software. Generally, AutoCAD is most commonly used to create blueprints.
Carlson Takeoff OEM offers a built-in AutoCAD® engine, while Takeoff Suite has the AutoCAD engine available separately. With that said, the Takeoff Suite includes “Carlson CADnet, Carlson Trench, and Carlson GeoTech combined with Carlson Construction. All are fully integrated with Carlson Civil and Hydrology.”
Per SoftwareAdvice.com, “the software is quite flexible, allowing users to quickly and easily convert plans from 2D to 3D, modify linework and correct ‘bad CAD’.” The advice column goes on to mention one of the defining aspects of Carlson’s earthwork software: “the ability to develop machine control models in Topcon, Trimble, Leica or Carlson format … Users get site, roads, trenching and blasting, all in one product specifically designed for contractors.”