Calculation of Embankments. Modern Methods For Determining The Excavation and Filling Volumes. Study Case: Calculation of Sibiu International Airport Runway Embankment

Costin-Sebastian MANU, Ion Cosmin CIUCULESCU, Alexandru MODOVEANU
Calculation of embankments. Modern methods for determining the excavation and filling volumes.
Calculation of embankments. Modern methods for determining the

excavation and filling volumes.
Study Case: Calculation of Sibiu International Airport runway
embankment
Costin-Sebastian MANU1, Ion Cosmin CIUCULESCU2, Alexandru MODOVEANU3

1
engineer surveyor, S.C. CORNEL&CORNEL TOPOEXIM S.R.L.
engineer surveyor, PhD student T.U.C.E.B., S.C. CORNEL&CORNEL TOPOEXIM
engineer surveyor, Bilfinger Water Technologies GmbH
S.R.L.
Embankments calculation or determination of cut and fill volumes are an important

part of the work that is done in a construction site, with relevance from technical and
economic point of view in the specific performed works.
This study is an analysis of conventional topographic methods used to calculate
embankments and modern techniques used in making this happen. Besides theoretical aspects
necessary in solving the stated problem, practice imposed new approaches correlated with the
technological evolution of measuring equipments and computing systems, therefore
the
presentation of these issues is the aim of the authors.

The practical result of this work, expressed in the case study, is reflected by
determining the volume of excavation and filling for an area of 10000sqm studied in the
terminus of Sibiu International Airport runway, backfill threshold 09, resulting in two sets of
data which will be compared; thus setting forth the appropriate conclusions.
Keywords: survey engineering, embankment, prisms method, digital terrain
model
1. Excavation. Methods for calculating the cut and fill volumes.

Embankments represent all work using ground and other rocks disaggregated executed
in order to achieve infrastructure and other items related to the work.
Embankments fall into two categories:
- concentrated, represented by backfilling and filling large ramps to bridges,
borrowing pits;
- linear, continuous along the passageways, in wide or narrow spaces.
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Calulul tersasamentelor. Metode moderne de determinare a volumelor de sptur i umplutur.
Embankments calculation involves several working steps briefly presented below.

1.1 Calculation of cross profile surface profiles.
For this stage there are three methods of calculation, depending on the desired
accuracy:
1.1.1 Geometric Method
Geometric method is also called exact, being used in works with a high execution cost,
where an accurate assessment of surfaces is necessary. The method involves dividing the
geometric surface area in elementary cross sections, having a regular geometric shape, such as
rectangles, trapezoids, triangles. Cross profiles are drawn knowing the odds and the distances
that determine land line, obtained from topographic measurements, the difference in axis,
geometric elements of the platform, widths, cross slopes.
1.1.2 Algebraic Method
The method that is used commonly for land with low inclination cross profilely, being
used to calculate cross sections related to road surfaces. It is believed that both natural terrain
and platform are horizontal, so cross sections are symmetrical.
1.1.3 Graphical Methods
Graphical methods for calculating the surface of cross profile profiles are
approximate, integrated surface method can be enumerated, using the cue procedure, named
after the name of the spacer with which the integration of the surface is performed and the
mechanical method using the planimeter.
1.2 Calculation of embankment volumes
Knowing the surfaces of cross profile profiles, the embankment volumes are
calculated imposing the following simplifying assumptions:
o the natural ground slopes are considerated to vary uniformly between two cross
profile profiles;
o it is generally thought that the volume of embankments along a route results from
summing partial volumes from two consecutive cross profile profiles, the so called
between-profiles.
As a result, the calculation of embankments will be reduced to summing the betweenprofile that compose it. For volume calculation, the prisms method is used. Natural ground
surface is highlighted in the figure below.
Fig 1 Between-profiles
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The volume of a between-profile is given by the following relationship:

(1)
Where:
SI, SJ are surfaces of cross sections I, J
VI, VJ - partial volumes
The applyable distance is considered equal to the sum of the halves of the distances
from one profile to another; it is the distance on which the elements of a cross section are
considered constant.
A particular case from when a platform has to be traced to an imposed quota.
In this case the platform surface is divided into squares, numbered as a checkerboard,
with sizes between 10 and 50 meters, depending on the terrain, precision and considered work
surface.
Fig. 2 Prisms method in volume calculation

The volume of embankments for the platform is given by the reference surface, and
ground surface elevation projected for n2 prism component of n squares.
(2)
Where:
- sum of points quota that materializes squares corners;
- sum of edge points quota, belonging to outer squares, that border the platform;
- sum of points quota belonging to the squares from the inside of the platform.
Depending on the frequency of occurrence of the points quota values into the
calculation, the previous relation can be written as:
(3)
The average elevation of the platform is given by the relation:
(4)
Working elevation are determined by the relationship:
(5)
Cut or fill volumes are determined by the following relations:
(6)
(7)
Calculation precision is determined by the following relationship:
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(8)
Where:
- thickness of the earth resulting in plus / minus so leveling the platform to be
executed at the calculated value;
filling volume;
excavation volume;
total area equipped platform.
1.3 Movement of earth
Embankments along the path consist of between-profiles of excavation named deblee,
but also of filling, named backfills. For their execution it must be knowed how to use the
excavated earth, at what distance and with what means the earth is transported. All of these
problems are studied by civil engineers in what is called to be the movement of the earth.
2 Study case
Sibiu International Airport went through an extensive modernization process started in
2005. Sibiu County Council, Autonomous Municipality of Sibiu and Sibiu Airport, as
contracting parties had together a project for modernization and expansion of the local airport,
which is the biggest investment of the county and the municipal authorities after the year of
1989, the total project cost being approximated to 70 million euro, so in the end, in 2009, to
reach a cost of 115 milion euro after adding 10 aditional documents to the original contract.
In 2006 the project for the upgrading and expansion of the Sibiu airport was started,
project provided by a consortium of Romanian company IPTANA and the German company
Obermeyer Planen + Beraten GmbH, based on a contract signed on 24.02.2006. Site
supervision was provided by the company Dornier Consulting GmbH, the same company
taking care also of the project management. Execution of works, the most difficult part of the
project was provided by the company Max Boegl Bauuternehmung GMBH & CoKG, contract
signed on 25.08.2006; this firm, to lighten the tax formalities, founded the company Max
Boegl Airport Sibiu SRL.
After a period of working for approximately three years, 2006-2009, on 27.05.2009
the minute of the reception of the work was singed, the new track having a length of 3090 m
for takeoff. Reception Committee took up the work from the builder with several objections,
one of which was that any deficiencies that may occur at backfill threshold 09 to be rectified
by the manufacturer, the latter having no objection, arguing that the work performed satisfy
the quality demands and also that the settlements in the area are normal size to backfill.
In August 2010, 15 months from the inauguration, 09 slipped down the embankment on an
opening of about 80 m, the system guide of the aircraft to land in low visibility conditions
becoming inoperative.
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Fig.3 Subsidence of the embankment for Sibiu International Airport

The disaster causes seem to have been: geologically inadequated ground used to
achieve the fills, inadequate compliance form embankment slope to great a slope in relation to
physical-mechanical properties of the earth used and given the conditions morphological and
local hydrogeological, and a drainage system inadequate and undersized for the area where
the platform was done in mixed profile and backfill.
This is the situation in which the Sibiu International Airport is, currently the County
Council has sued the three parties involved in the modernization of the airport, meanning the
consultant, the designer and the work executant.
In what follows I propose presenting calculations of volumes, these volumes of
excavation and filling being determined to a new embankment, fictional, created for teaching
purposes, without complying with the rigors and constraints of the design process, without
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prior calculation that is required, which is within the competence of qualified design
specialists.
Fig.4 Excavation Projects - Global Mapper 3D visualization program v.13.00

The new embankment design has the following characteristics:
Base elevation embankment: 432 m;
Top elevation of the embankment: 462 m;
The difference in level or embankment height: 30 m;
Embankment slope in the threshold 09: 33.33%;
Area: 18.9961 ha.
Fig.5 Section for designed embankment - view with Global Mapper v.13.00 program
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Volumes calculation using a grid of points

A grid over an area of 10000 m2 was created in the first instance, at the end region of
the track embankment, threshold 09, consisting of 21x21 points, meaning 441 points, at a
distance of 5 m from each other, points to approximate the studied area, to restore the
considered land surface geometry; in default of field measurements, grid quotas points were
extracted from the D.T.M. previously purchased.
Fig.6 Grid points in the studied area

A surface was created with the help of the 441 points and the volume of excavation to
the designed embankment filler was calculated using the Global Mapper v.13.00 software.
The volume of excavation is 11,614.154 m3 of soil, on an area of 7220 m2 , while
filling volume is 4412.673 m3, on an area of 2485 m2. It is worth mentioning that the volumes
were determined using Global Mapper v.13.00 software, dividing the area of interest in an
infinity of minimum squares, and then using the following formula:
(9)
Fig. 7 Caculated volume using a grid of points

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Volumes calulations using D.T.M.

In the previous mentioned area of interest, having an area of 10000 m2, a volume
calculation was performed using the available D.T.M.
Fig.8 The area of interest surface on D.T.M.- 3D view using Global Mapper v.13.00
program
Fig. 9 The new embankment surface created in the area of interest - 3D view using
Global Mapper v.13.00 program
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Calculated volume of excavation is 11,640.705 m3 of soil, on an area of 7219 m2,

while filling volume is 4454.543 m3, on an area of 2516 m2.
Fig.10 Calculated volume using M.D.T.

As can be seen in the table below, the volumes determined by the two methods are
substantially similar.
Table 1. Values and differences for the volumes calculated
Method
volume
excavation
[
]
volume
[
]
Grid
D.T.M.
difference [
11614.154
11640.705
26.551
4412.673
4454.543
41.87
filling
Fig.11 Cut and fill volumes resulting from the two approaches
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4. Conclusion
The results obtained were close in value, appearing as an extra in excavation volume
determined from digital terrain model and the amount of filler volume determined in the same
way; this is due to the fact that the D.T.M. approximates better the real land area compared to
the grid points method.
As can be seen from the above table, D.T.M. can be successfully used in calculating
volumes, presenting real advantages over sections method for steep slope land. The volume
calculation method is chosen according to the available data, the desired accuracy, the work
scale, extensive use of D.T.M. being limitated by its relatively high cost.
5. Bibliography
[1] Constantin COSARCSurveying engineering, page 157page 161, Bucharest, Matrix
Rom, 2003, ISBN 973-685-560
[2] Francisc GRUDNICKY, Ioan CIORNEIFitting watershed through specific works, 2007
[3] Costin-Sebastian MANUDisertation thesis ,,Map Obstacle map for Sibiu International
Airport, page 73page 80, 2013, T.U.C.E.B., Faculty of Geodesy, specialization S.I.C.P.I.
[4] Standard for the execution of mechanized road embankments C 182-77
[5] Steven STROM, Kurt NATHAN, Jake WOLANDSite Engineering for Landscape
ArchitectsSixth Edithion, pag. 126pag.141, John Wiley&Sons Inc., 2013, ISBN 978-1-11809086-2
Internet Sources:
[6] http://www.turnulsfatului.ro/18248/alunecarile-de-teren-de-la-aeroport-refacute-pe-baniiproiectantilor-consultantului-si-constructorului.html
[7] http://www.sibiuairport.ro/istoric.html
[8] http://www.sibiul.ro/foto/aeroportul-sibiu-2010-alunecari-de-teren/15099/
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Calculation of Embankments. Modern Methods For Determining The Excavation and Filling Volumes. Study Case: Calculation of Sibiu International Airport Runway Embankment

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Costin-Sebastian MANU, Ion Cosmin CIUCULESCU, Alexandru MODOVEANU