Highway Construction Part 2: Earthmoving TSYH 4402

Upon successful completion of each module, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Introduction to Earthmoving

• Recognize and name the main types of equipment used in earthmoving.
• Describe the uses of each type of equipment.
• Explain the relative merits of each type of equipment.
• Understand the effects that the properties of excavated soils have on the selection of earthmoving equipment and on the efficiency and productivity of the equipment.

Module 2 - Engineering Fundamentals of Earthmoving

• Describe in detail the following engineering fundamentals of earthmoving and apply these concepts to the calculation of productivity for various earthmovers in later modules.
• Concept of time
• Job efficiency factors
• Rolling resistance
• The effect of grade on required power
• Coefficient of traction
• Drawbar pull
• Rimpull
• Acceleration.
• Describe the use of and employ equipment performance handbook charts to determine values of the above.
• Estimate general earthmoving performance given the appropriate data.

Module 3 - Earthmoving by Bulldozer

• Describe the uses of a dozer in earthmoving.
• State the limitations of a dozer operation.
• Describe the methods of earthmoving by dozer.
• Calculate the productivity of a dozer earthmoving operation.

Module 4 - Earthmoving by Truck/Wagon

• Explain the reasons for balancing excavation and hauling operations.
• Describe the methods used for balancing the excavation and hauling operations.
• Describe and analyze the factors that affect the cost of hauling by truck or wagon.
• Define the term cycle time relative to hauling with a truck or wagon.
• Calculate the number of trucks/wagons required for a hauling operation.

Module 5 - Earthmoving by Scraper

• Describe the characteristics of a scraper.
• Describe the types of scraper available.
• Explain and demonstrate the components of the haul cycle time and the factors that affect them.
• Explain and describe the methods of scraper operation and ways of improving and maintaining production rates.
• State the meaning of the term optimum load time.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the three basic methods of scraper loading.
• Calculate production rates for scraper earthmoving units.

Module 6 - Earth Spreading

• Describe the equipment and methods required to place and spread material that has been dumped by the earthmoving equipment.
• Calculate the production rates for spreading and grading equipment.

Effective as of Fall 2003