1. Measuring Sitework, Excavation, and Piling
Chapter 4
Measuring Sitework, Excavation, and Piling

2. Objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
Determine the likely soil conditions at a site by studying a soils report
Explain the use of swell factor and compaction factor when calculating volumes of excavation and backfill

3. Objectives (cont’d.)
Define bank measure and explain how it applies to sitework takeoffs
Describe and use the “grid method” of calculating cut and fill volumes
Describe and use the “section method” of calculating cut and fill volumes
Explain how piling work is measured in a takeoff

4. Objectives (cont’d.)
Explain how trenches and basements are measured in a takeoff
Complete a manual takeoff of sitework
Complete a computer takeoff of sitework using Excel spreadsheets and MC2 ICE software

5. Generally Measuring sitework and excavation work
Different from measuring most other work
Current site condition may not be provided
Dimensions and shape of excavations may not be disclosed
Estimators must assess requirements before measuring site work

6. Soils Report Provides subsurface condition information
Usually not a bid document
Includes data for foundation system design
Comments on sample soils report
Topsoil, moisture content, soil compaction, slope ratio, drainage, etc.

7. Bank Measure, Swell, and Compaction Factors
Extracted soil
Less dense and will occupy more space
Compaction factor
Difference between hole volume and fill material volume
Bank measure
Obtained using hole dimensions

8. Excavation Safety Considerations
Potential danger to workers
Cave-ins
OSHA’s Construction Safety and Health Regulations
Requires shoring systems or cutting back sides to a safe angle
Strongly enforced

9. Use of Digitizers Electronic devices Digitizer types
Enables user to take measurements from drawings
Input directly into computer program
Digitizer types
Sonic
Tablet

10. On-Screen Takeoff Eliminates need for paper-based printouts
Number of formats
Cost savings
Speed
Convenience
Plans still have to be drawn to scale

11. Measuring Notes—Excavation and Backfill
Include:
Measure in cubic yards or cubic meters “bank measure”
Classify and measure separately
Excavations
Materials
Hand excavation
Disposal of surplus soil

12. Calculation of Cut and Fill Using the “Grid Method”
Requires a site survey
Showing elevation of existing grade
Each intersection point on the grid
Plotted at each intersection point
Depth of cut can be obtained at each point
Refer to Figures 4.1 and 4.2
Accuracy depends on grid spacing

13. Calculation of Cut and Fill Using the Section Method”
Mostly used with long, relatively narrow areas of cut and fill
Road and railroad construction
Results quality depends on accuracy of plotting
Refer to Figure 4.3

14. Trench Excavations Formula for trench volume:
Trench Volume = Length of Trench Centerline × Average Width of Trench × Average Depth of Trench
Refer to Figure 4.4
Sides of trenches often cut-back due to:
Safety reasons
Soil will not stand vertically

15. Trench Backfill Volume of backfill for a trench
Generally equal to volume of excavation minus volume of what is to be contained
Surplus occurs when volume of excavation exceeds amount required for backfill
Item for disposal of surplus material is required

16. Greater Accuracy Formula used to calculate volume of excavation:
Usually sufficient
Some situations require more accuracy
Example: pit and basement excavations

17. Measuring Notes—Piling
Often subcontracted to specialized companies
Typical general contractor items:
Layout of piles
Cutting off tops of piles
Removing excavated material

18. Bearing Piles Generally: Measure in linear feet or meters
Include a separate lump-sum item for equipment
Piles that are measures separately
Measurement may be subdivided
Enumerate splicing and lengthening of piles

19. Bearing Piles (cont’d.)
Additional considerations:
Classification of bearing piles
Timber piles
Steel piles
Precast concrete piles
Poured-in-place concrete piles

20. Sheet Piling Generally:
Described and measured in square feet or square meters
Separately measure piles
Measurement may be subdivided
Measure withdrawing of piles
Cutting off of sheet piling: measured in linear feet or meters

21. Sheet Piling (cont’d.) Splices: described and measured by number
Timber sheet piling, concrete sheet piling, and steel sheet piling: measured according to foregoing principles
Extraction of piles: measured separately

22. Additional Examples Drawings Sitework takeoff
Refer to Figures 4.11 and 4.12
Sitework takeoff
Example 1—The House Project
Takeoff Shown as Figure 4.6a
Example 2—The Office/Warehouse Project
Takeoff Shown in Figure 4.14a
Sitework Takeoff Using ICE Software

23. Summary
The estimator has to make an assessment of sitework requirements
Based on plans and specifications
Site visit
Soils report
Efficiency can be increased using a digitizer
Sitework takeoffs can be done manually or via computer