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Earthwork Cut/Fill Volume Calculator
Cross-Section (Prismoidal) Method

Paste 5–10 station elevations and design grades. Get cut volume, fill volume, and balance point instantly. Uses the prismoidal (average end area) method — the standard approach for road and site earthworks.

Cut/Fill Volume Calculator
Station (m) Existing RL (m) Design RL (m)
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
Cut volume (m³)
Fill volume (m³)
Net balance (m³)

How the Cross-Section Method Works

The average end area (prismoidal) method divides the earthworks alignment into prisms between consecutive cross-sections. Each prism's volume is the average of the two end areas multiplied by the length between stations.

V = (A₁ + A₂) / 2 × L

Where A₁ and A₂ are the cut or fill areas at successive stations, and L is the distance between them. The method is conservative — it slightly over-estimates volumes compared to the prismoidal formula, which is acceptable for budgeting.

Worked Example — 200 m Road Section

Station (m)Existing RL (m)Design RL (m)Net height (m)Type
0 12.512.0+0.5Cut
25 11.811.80.0 Balance point
50 11.211.6−0.4Fill
100 10.111.2−1.1Fill
150 11.510.8+0.7Cut
200 12.810.4+2.4Cut

For a 6 m wide road: at station 0→25, A₁ = 0.5 × 6 = 3.0 m², A₂ = 0.0 m², V = (3.0 + 0.0)/2 × 25 = 37.5 m³ cut. Continue for each interval, separate cut and fill.

Need cut/fill from a PDF site plan?
FrameAI extracts station elevations and design grades directly from your site plan PDF using GPT-4o vision, runs the prismoidal calc, and outputs an Excel schedule + mass haul diagram. Civil starts at $164/yr standalone, or bundle with Structural + Electrical for $299/yr.
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