MR-3: Earthwork Balance

Goal

Reduce need for transport of earthen materials by balancing cut and fill quantities.

Requirements

Minimize earthwork cut (excavation) and fill (embankment) volumes such that the percent difference between cut and fill is less than or equal to 10% of the average total volume of material moved. For purposes of this credit, use the method and definitions detailed in Chapter 8 (Earthwork) of the Road Design Manual from the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), or equivalent, to compute cut and fill volumes. Include miscellaneous additional cut and fill such as outlet ditches and muck excavations (see definitions in Chapter 8 of the Manual) and account for moisture and density as well as shrink and swell.

Balance cut and fill material volumes:

• A = Volume of Cross Section Cut
• B = Volume of Cross Section Fill
• C = Volume of Miscellaneous Cut
• D = Volume of Miscellaneous Fill

For points, show that design volumes AND actual construction volumes meet:

Note that for purposes of this credit, all volumes are positive quantities. SDDOT’s Chapter 8 is available here: http://www.sddot.com/pe/roaddesign/plans_rdmanual.asp

Documentation

• Copy of the grading plan. The grading plan must report total cut and fill quantities, total miscellaneous cut/fill, and show that they are within 10% of one another.
• Calculate and report actual construction earthwork volume for the project. This calculation shall show the following:
  • Actual cut and fill volumes during construction.
  • Actual volume of unused embankment materials (include excess import and excess cut materials)
  • Actual volume of earthwork material imported to the project site.
  • Actual volume of earthwork material exported from the site.
  • Show that:

Public commentary on credit MR-3