15 Estimating Volume of Cut and Fill Using Contour Method In this chapter you will learn about: •
•
•
How to determine areas in a site-grading plan that will result in cut and those that will result in fill How to calculate the quantity of cut and fill based on the site-grading plan by determining area of cut and fill, using square inches based on a scaled site-grading plan The difference between a square foot and cubic yard, and how both are used to determine cut and fill quantities
Cut and Fill Is the Process of Earth Moving The topography of a site is not always opportune for the purposes of project. In most cases portions of a site’s topography will need to be modified so as to accommodate the uses and activities envisioned in the site design. What this means is that the designer will need to shift soil around from some parts of the site to others in order to create topography suitable for the designed elements. To achieve the topographic modifications detailed in the site grading plan, earth—and in some cases, rock—may need to be removed (cut) from areas of the site then used to build up other places requiring additional material (fill). In other situations, it may be necessary to transport excess earth material from the project site and dispose of it at an off-site location. In other instances,
