Highway Design Part 3: Earthworks TSYH 4507

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Earthworks - Design

• State and define the six operations in the process of reshaping the environment for roadwork construction.
• State and define the relationships between typical cross-sections and station design sections relative to earthworks calculations.
• Relate the earthworks calculation phase to the total design process.

Module 2 - Cross-Sections

• State the factors affecting the design and selection of the cross section.
• Describe the various elements in a cross-section and explain the reasons for the selection of a particular characteristic.
• Define the term earthworks section.
• Select the appropriate stationing for earthworks cross-sections and set up an existing ground elevation table from topographic drawings.
• Draw earthwork cross-sections at the various stations, using the appropriate typical section template.

Module 3 - Earthwork Materials

• State and define the general classification of materials encountered in highway design and construction.
• Describe the characteristics of the soil types with respect to road construction.
• State and define the terms shrinkage and swell.

Module 4 - Areas and Volumes

• Describe and use the standard rules and formulae for determining volumes between cross sections.
• Describe the methods used to determine the end area of a cross section.
• Determine the volume of cut and fill between stations.
• Prepare earthworks volume calculations in tabular form for a design section of a highway.

Module 5 - Mass Haul Diagram

• Define and describe a 'mass haul diagram.'
• Plot a mass haul for a highway based on the calculated cuts and fills over the length of that contract.
• Calculate the total haul, freehaul and overhaul for a project using a mass haul diagram.
• Calculate the swell and shrinkage of the soil volumes and adjust the mass-haul ordinates accordingly.

Module 6 - Computer Application

• Describe and use a typical method of inputting into a computer, given data relating to existing ground cross sections.
• Describe the use of a typical computer earthworks program for the calculation of earthwork volumes and the production of Mass Haul diagrams.

Module 7 - Mass Haul Case Study

• Identify mass haul issues requiring confirmation or consideration at the pre-construction stage.
• Draw up a mass haul information checklist sheet.
• Draw up a mass haul critical analysis checklist sheet.

Effective as of Fall 2003