In civil engineering construction, earthwork quantity is an important parameter in the process of project planning and construction, and the accuracy and efficiency of its calculation results directly affect the cost, schedule and quality of the project. Therefore, it is important to find a fast and accurate method for calculating earthwork quantities.
Calculation method of earthwork quantity
Before proceeding with the earthwork quantity calculation, the relevant basic data needs to be prepared first. This includes information such as topographic maps, design elevations, soil classifications, and digging depths. The topographic map can reflect the topography and landform of the project area, which is the basis for calculating the earthwork quantity. The design elevation is the target height of the earthwork, which determines the amount of excavation or filling; Soil classification and excavation depth directly affect the density and excavation difficulty of earthwork, which are important parameters for calculating earthwork quantity.
With this data and information ready, we can start to calculate the earthwork quantities. The following three earthwork quantity calculation methods have their advantages, disadvantages and scope of application. In the actual project, the appropriate method should be selected for calculation according to the specific situation.
01. Method 1: Traditional calculation methods
Traditional earthwork quantity calculations mainly rely on manual measurements and calculations, including the use of theodolite, level and other survey tools for topographic surveys, and then volume calculations based on the measurement data through formulas. Although this method is simple and easy to implement, it has many shortcomings: first, the measurement and calculation process is cumbersome, time-consuming and labor-intensive; second, it is susceptible to the influence of human factors, resulting in large calculation errors; Third, it is difficult to adapt to the computing needs of complex terrain and large-scale projects.
02. Method 2: Digital calculation method
With the development of digital technology, more and more projects have begun to use digital calculation methods to calculate earthwork quantities. This method mainly uses geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technology to obtain terrain data, and then performs 3D modeling and volume calculation through professional software. The advantages of the digital calculation method are: first, it can quickly obtain terrain data and improve the calculation efficiency; Second, the calculation results are highly accurate, which reduces human error; Third, it is suitable for calculations of complex terrain and large-scale projects.
However, digital computing methods require a high level of expertise from technicians, as well as relatively high software and maintenance costs.
03. Method 3: BIM earthwork modeling
In recent years, BIM technology has been widely used in the field of civil engineering, and also provides a new solution for the rapid calculation of earthwork quantities. BIM technology integrates information from all stages of design, construction and management by constructing a three-dimensional building model, making the calculation of earthwork quantities more efficient and accurate. In addition, BIM has the following applications and advantages in earthwork quantity calculation.
The application of BIM in the calculation of earthwork quantities
1. 3D terrain modeling and data integration
BIM technology can integrate terrain data, design parameters and construction requirements, and comprehensively reflect the topographic and geomorphological characteristics of the project area by building an accurate 3D terrain model. This model not only takes into account the undulations of the ground surface, but also contains important information such as soil type and geological conditions, which provides a comprehensive and accurate data basis for the calculation of earthwork quantities.
2. Automated calculation and analysis
Based on the 3D terrain model and design information, the BIM software can automatically calculate the earthwork quantity. Through the built-in calculation module, the software can quickly generate statistical reports on the amount of earth and rock, including the amount of fill and cut, transportation distance, earthwork balance and other information. In addition, BIM technology can also carry out dynamic analysis of earthwork quantities, real-time monitoring of changes in engineering quantities, and provide strong support for project management.
3. Program optimization and decision support
With BIM technology, engineers can perform earthwork balance analysis at the design stage and optimize the earthwork quantity by adjusting the design scheme. The visualization characteristics of the BIM model enable engineers to intuitively understand the distribution of cut-and-fill materials, so as to propose a more reasonable construction plan. In addition, BIM technology can also provide decision-makers with a variety of options for comparison and optimization suggestions, and improve the economic and social benefits of the project.
Advantages of BIM in the calculation of earthwork quantities
1. High computational efficiency
Traditional earthwork quantity calculation methods often need to manually process a large amount of terrain data and design information, and the calculation process is cumbersome and time-consuming. BIM technology greatly improves the calculation efficiency through automatic calculation and data analysis. Engineers only need to import relevant data into the BIM software, and the software can automatically complete the calculation and analysis work, greatly shortening the calculation cycle.
2. The calculation results are accurate
BIM technology uses 3D modeling and data analysis techniques to more accurately reflect the topography and design requirements. With accurate terrain models and design parameters, BIM software is able to calculate more accurate earthwork quantities. This helps to reduce wasted resources and increased costs due to calculation errors.
3. High degree of visualization
BIM technology has powerful visualization capabilities and is able to display the results of calculations graphically. Engineers can intuitively view the distribution of earthwork, transportation paths and other information through the BIM model, which is convenient for scheme comparison and optimization. This visualization allows engineers to better understand the project situation and improve the scientific and accurate decision-making.
4. Good synergy
BIM technology provides a platform for multiple parties to work together. In the process of earthwork quantity calculation, designers, construction units, owners and other parties can share BIM models and data to achieve real-time update and sharing of information. This helps to strengthen communication and cooperation between all parties, and improve the overall efficiency and synergy of the project.
Earthwork quantity modeling and calculation software
For complex and large-scale earthworks, we need professional software to assist in calculations, and OpenRoads Designer, a BIM software for road design, is an ideal choice.
OpenRoads Designer can not only build an accurate 3D cut-and-fill earthwork model, help us quickly calculate the cut-and-fill amount, but also present the analysis results in a visual way and summarize the calculation results, which greatly optimizes the workflow of earthwork and rockwork, maximizes efficiency, and effectively saves engineering costs.
1) Terrain modeling and analysis
Create an intelligent model that includes both terrain data and road or site features. You can distinguish the structure, appearance, and symbols in your design at a glance based on their characteristics.
2) Create horizontal and vertical alignments
Use object-oriented coordinate geometry and line design capabilities to provide intelligent updates as you quickly create accurate horizontal and vertical line shapes. Use elevation profiles to display surface information and vertical alignments associated with horizontal alignment.
3) Create profile and section views
Create profile and section views from any point in the design. With dynamic sections, see updates in real time as you modify your design. You can view ground changes to reflect design edits, including annotations such as surface features, corridor components, and construction constraints or station settings.
4) Design in conjunction with the environment
Easily integrate traditional surveys, images, point clouds, and 3D reality models into design and construction models to gain a clear view of existing conditions and accelerate design modeling workflows. Integrate geospatial information to ensure accurate geospatial positioning of the model.
5) Earthwork modeling
Create a 3D cut-and-fill earthwork model as a digital twin to accurately calculate, visualize, and summarize cut-and-fill volume analysis. OpenRoads Designer's unique modeling capabilities help elevate earthwork workflows, maximize efficiency, and save costs.
Software Details: OpenRoads Designer | Meet the needs of the whole life cycle
Example of quantity calculation of earthwork
Calculation and analysis of earthwork volume in Chongqing Wanda Outdoor Theme Park
Chongqing Wanda City Outdoor Theme Park site project site is about 1 square kilometer, there are many roads inside the park, various amusement facilities are built along the mountain, there are many types of buildings and high landscape requirements, including tunnels and underground pipelines, many specialties and miscellaneous, it is difficult for designers to communicate, and it is difficult for multi-professional collaborative design.
01. Project difficulties
1) The site is large and the utilization rate is high;
2) There are many majors, involving road and tunnel, landscape, animation, fire protection, electrical and other multi-professional collaboration;
3) There are many types of amusement facilities in the park, which have high requirements for fire protection, landscape, and visitor accessibility;
4) The project is built on the mountain, and the amount of earthwork is large, and it is the biggest difficulty for site designers to control the amount of earthwork and ensure that the design of various specialties does not conflict.
02. Solution
In view of the above project difficulties, the road design software Openroads Designer is used for accurate modeling and calculation analysis.
1) The model created has high accuracy and covers a wide range of areas (roads, tunnels, sites, pipelines, slopes, lakes, mountain trails);
2) direct statistics of each road earthwork and each area of the site fill and cut amount;
3) Generate the amount of road cut and fill according to the slope.
Specifically, the following work is done:
- Based on the design drawings, establish a DTM model consistent with the design drawings, and establish related models such as field leveling, road, landscape topography and road slope.
- Based on the scheme drawings and subsequent adjustments, the preliminary design and construction drawings have been adjusted for many times;
- Slope modeling is carried out based on the slope design scheme;
- Based on the lake design scheme, the Dahu show site and its waterfall scheme were established.
- the geographical location of the small train track and its grading relationship with the surrounding terrain;
- Comparing the original terrain model and different versions of the design terrain, the amount of cut and fill and the cut and fill map were obtained.
- Each version of the model gradually optimizes the amount of cut fill and related practices.
03. Project value
Our company uses BIM software to assist project civil, landscape and animation designers to design, quickly model and calculate real-time earthwork quantities, and help optimize and analyze.
The model can clearly reflect the design situation, provide a direct and scientific basis for the placement of complex amusement facilities and the determination of elevation, and the amount of earthwork is optimized from 1.4 million square meters in the preliminary design to 800,000 square meters in the final plan, saving nearly 70 million yuan in engineering costs for customers.
If you have earthwork quantity calculation needs, or want to purchase or rent road design BIM software OpenRoads Designer, welcome to follow the "Ai 3D Technology" WeChat public account to contact us.