Cut and Fill Takeoff

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From the course by Columbia University

Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control

448 ratings

Columbia University

Construction Cost Estimating and Cost Control

448 ratings

Course 3 of 4 in the Specialization Construction Management

This course introduces the types of cost estimation from the conceptual design phase through the more detailed design phase of a construction project. In addition, the course highlights the importance of controlling costs and how to monitor project cash flow. Students will work on a break-even analysis of construction tasks in a project.

From the lesson

Quantity Take-Off and Measurement

James Sneath, Associate Director of Cost Management for Turner and Townsend, and Ian Taylor, Project Manager for Turner and Townsend, discuss Quantity Take Off and Measurement. Estimating cut and fill costs is taught along with a detailed example of using cut and fill software. Also covered in this module is the topic of deep foundations, concrete foundations and structural steel, measurement, masonry, glass curtain wall, facade and wall finishes.

Cut and Fill Process and Equipment5:53

Cut and Fill Takeoff5:52

Cut and Fill Software5:56

Meet the Instructors

Ibrahim Odeh, Ph.D., MBA
Instructor, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University
Director of Research and Founder, Global Leaders in Construction Management

Now I want a Cut and Fill Takeoff.

Cut and Fill Takeoff when properly applying technique and

with the aid of software is actually quite simple.

To begin you must understand the unit of measure is cubic yards.

You can calculate cubic yards by converting from cubic feet, or

length, times width, times depth.

If a section of land is 2,000 feet by 650 feet by 24 inches deep.

The calculation would thus be 2,000 by 650 by 2 feet,

for a total amount of 2,600,000 cubic feet.

Then you will divide 2.6 million cubic feet by 27.

We use 27 because that is the amount of feet that are in 1 cubic yard.

1 yard equals 3 feet, thus 1 yard cubed

would be 3 feet by three feet by three feet, for a total of 27 cubic feet.

The calculation in our example is 2.6 million divided by 27 for

a total of 96,296 cubic yards.

With cut and fill, it's important to know that the true net calculation

will be the net cubic yards of the soil when calculating the difference

between the desired elevation and the original elevation.

Using our previous example,

we know that we need to cut 2,600,000 cubic feet of soil.

The fill area is quantified at 2,000 feet,

by 625 feet, by 18 inches deep.

This calculation is detailed as 2,000 times 625 times 1.5 for

a total of 1,875,000 cubic feet.

The net difference between the cut and

fill location is a cut of 2.6 million

subtracted by a fill of 1.875 million for

a total net of 725,000 cubic feet.

Finally, you must remember to convert for cubic yardage.

Thus, the calculation is 725,000 by 27,

for a total of 26,852 cubic yards.

You now know that you have a net amount of 26,852 cubic yards of soil that must

either be transported away from the site or utilized elsewhere on the project.

You can calculate cubic yards by converting from

cubic feet or length times width times depth.

For example, if a section of land is

2,000 feet by 650 feet,

by 24 inches deep, or 2 feet.

2000 times 650 times 2 would be your calculation,

which results in 2,600,000

Cubic feet.

You would then divide cubic feet by 27.

This calculation equals

96,296 cubic yards.

Using our previous example,

we know that we need to cut 2,600,000.

Cubic feet of soil.

The fill area which we've identified on the plans is quantified at 2000 feet

by 625 feet by 18 inches deep or 1.5 feet.

This gives you a calculation of 1,875,000,

cubic feet of fill.

The net difference between the cut and

the fill at the location is the number that you want to come to.

Thus this calculation would be 2.6

million subtracted by 1.875 million for

a grand total of 725,000 Cubic feet.

Finally you must always remember to convert from cubit feet to cubic yardage.

Once again, the factor is divisible by 27

Which brings you to a total of

26,852 cubic Cubic yards.

You now know that you have a net amount of 26,852 cubic yards of soil that must

either be transported away from the site, or utilized elsewhere on the project.

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