maricopa county department of transportation earthwork

May 2021

Maricopa County Department of Transportation

Earthwork Guidelines

MCDOT Earthwork Guidelines

May 2021 Page 1 of 7

1.0 Introduction Earthwork calculations are an integral part of roadway projects. The engineer should consider the existing terrain and the amount of earthwork when developing roadway profiles. Balanced earthwork is desirable but may not be feasible for every project. These guidelines were developed to provide a uniform approach to calculating and reporting earthwork quantities for Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) projects. 2.0 General MCDOT uses the MAG Uniform Standard Specifications and Details for Public Works Construction (MAG) as modified by the MCDOT Supplement to the MAG Uniform Standard Specifications and Details for Public Works Construction (MCDOT Supplement) for earthwork specifications, measurement and payment. Excavation for pay items is measured in cubic yards in its original, undisturbed location. Borrow (In-Place) is measured in cubic yards in its final space occupied. The following lists of earthwork items should be calculated and documented as required for MCDOT projects: Pay Items:

• Roadway Excavation • Borrow (In-Place) • Channel Excavation • Retention Basin Excavation • Structure Excavation • Structure Backfill

Non-pay Items:

• Over Excavation • Roadway Embankment • Ground Compaction • Pipe Excavation • Bedding • Pipe Backfill

The lists above are not to be considered inclusive. There may be MCDOT projects that require other types of earthwork not listed. The designer should consult with the MCDOT Standards Engineer and Construction Branch Management if such items are encountered.



3.0 Definitions The definitions for the various types of earthwork can be found in the MAG Uniform Standard Specifications and Details for Public Works Construction.

• Roadway Excavation – Section 205

• Structure Excavation and Backfill – Section 206

• Borrow Excavation – Section 210

• Fill Construction – Section 211

• Earthwork for Open Channels - Section 215

• Trench Excavation, Backfilling and Compaction - Section 601 4.0 Computations Earthwork volumes are calculated using cross sections generated from a digital terrain model. Cross sections begin at the start of the project and extend at intervals not exceeding 50 feet to the end of the project. Additional cross sections are required at the beginning and end of transitions and at all locations where abrupt section changes occur. Cross sections should be situated in a manner to provide accurate earthwork calculations. Cut and fill areas are computed for each cross section. Using the average-end-area method, earthwork volumes are generated in cubic yards. The standard method for calculating earthwork quantities at MCDOT is the average-end-area method. MCDOT uses Bentley Power InRoads software for generating cross sections and computing earthwork volumes. Other methods may be used with prior MCDOT approval. Quantities for Structure Excavation and Backfill are calculated according to ADOT Standard Drawings.SD 5.01, SD 5.02 and or SD 6.01-4. Quantities for Pipe Excavation, Backfill and Bedding are calculated according to MAG Detail 200-1 and 200-2 and MAG Section 601. 5.0 Material Properties Projects will typically have a geotechnical investigation report. The report will provide the soil factors to be used in the earthwork calculations. Allowances are to be made for the difference in volume between the original volume in cut and the final volume in fill.



Shrinkage is the decrease in volume of the excavated material once it has been re-compacted into fill. The formula for calculating the volume of shrinkage is:

Shrinkage Factor X Excavation (in place) = Volume of Shrinkage For Example:

Excavation = 1,000 CY (In place volume to be excavated) Shrink Factor = 0.2 (From geotechnical investigation report)

0.2 x 1,000 CY = 200 CY of shrinkage 1,000 CY – 200 CY = 800 CY available for embankment

Swell is the increase in volume of excavated material. This typically occurs for rock excavations. Ground compaction is the lowering of the soil under an embankment. Ground compaction increases the amount of fill required. It is computed by using the ground compaction factor from the geotechnical report and multiplying it by the surface area under the embankment. The geotechnical report or environmental report may identify areas of unsuitable material for embankment requiring over excavation. Shrink or swell does not need to be applied to unsuitable material. 6.0 Documentation Construction plans shall include the following information: Earthwork Summary Table A sample earthwork summary table is shown in Figure 1. It includes both pay item and non-pay item quantities. The following provides guidance for completing the table:

Excavation items

• Quantity without shrink or swell applied. • Quantity of shrink (negative volume) or swell (positive volume). • Total quantity available for embankment. • Drainage excavation items listed separately as channel excavation and/or

detention/retention basin excavation. • Over excavated material unsuitable for embankment.

List the location and depth. Quantity is not included in the total available for embankment.



Embankment Items

• Ground Compaction • Quantity shown is the in-place compacted volume. • Drainage embankment items listed separately according to the type. • Account for any additional embankment required due to over excavation. • Embankment or backfill requiring special materials such as aggregate base,

select material or controlled low strength material. Note the type of material specified. Quantity is not included in the total required embankment.

Waste material is the amount of material to be hauled away from the project after all embankment has been taken into account. It is shown without shrink or swell factors applied. Borrow (In-Place) is the amount of material required to complete the embankment in addition to the total excavation material that is available for embankment. It is reported as the in-place compacted volume. Soil factors used in the calculations are to be shown in a separate table. Mass Diagram See MCDOT RDM Section 4.3.16 for requirements Cross Sections See MCDOT RDM Section 4.3.17 for requirements Example Plan Sheets Example plan sheets for earthwork can be found on the Technical Page, Other Design Resources, CADD Standards section of the MCDOT Webpage: https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/627/Maricopa-County-Department-of-Transportation-Sample-Set-PDF The sample plan sheets are also included at the end of the Earthwork Guidelines.

https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/627/Maricopa-County-Department-of-Transportation-Sample-Set-PDF

https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/627/Maricopa-County-Department-of-Transportation-Sample-Set-PDF



Sample Earthwork Summary Table (Figure 1)

ESTIMATED EARTHWORK QUANTITIES

Roadway Excavation (from End Area Calculations) CY Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY Available for Embankment CY Drainage Excavation CY Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY Available for Embankment CY Structure Excavation CY Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY Available for Embankment CY Pipe Excavation CY Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY Available for Embankment CY Over Excavation CY Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY Available for Embankment CY Total Available for Embankment CY

Ground Compaction CY Roadway Embankment (from End Area Calculations) CY Structure Backfill CY Drainage Embankment CY Pipe Bedding CY Pipe Backfill CY Total Required Embankment CY Waste Material or Borrow (In Place) CY

Soil Factors

Location Shrink (%) Swell (%) Ground Compaction (inches) 0+00 to 10+00 X X X 10+00 to 20+00 X X X



7.0 Earthwork Report Earthwork Summary Table Provide summary table similar to table developed for the construction plans. Cross Section Listing Provide a listing of all cross sections used for the average end-area calculations. The listing should provide:

• Cut and fill areas in square feet • Roadway excavation in cubic yards • Roadway embankment in cubic yards • Shrink or swell in cubic yards • Ground compaction in cubic yards • Net excavation and embankment in cubic yards • Mass ordinate

Additional Supporting Calculations Calculations for all other earthwork items are to be included in the report as well as figures needed to support the calculations. 8.0 Quality Control The engineer will provide the Earthwork Report to the reviewer for checking prior to submittal. The engineer and reviewer will both sign off on the Earthwork Report cover sheet certifying reasonable accuracy of the quantities.



Sample Earthwork Plan Sheets

1. Title Page 2. Earthwork Summary Report 3. Mass Diagram 4. Cross Sections (3 Sheets)

ES

TR

ELL

A P

KW

Y

05 04

3233

21

29 28

Gilbert

Carefree

Peoria

El Mirage

Surprise

Wickenburg

Gila Bend

Buckeye

Goodyear

Avondale Tolleson

Sun Lakes

Litchfield Park

Sentinel

Tonopah

Aguila

New River

Guadalupe

Youngtown

Sun City West

CitySun

CreekCave

flowerSun-

ValleyParadise

HillsFountain

CreekQueen

Rio Verde

Airport

W.G.

ST

AN

DA

RD R

D

SECTION AVE

SUBDIVISION DR

SURFACE PL

SECTION DR

LIT

CH

FIE

LD R

D

AV

E A

AV

E C

v

PHOENIX

MESA

TEMPE

CHANDLER

SCOTTSDALE

GLENDALE

INTERSTATE

10

INTERSTATE

INTERSTATE

INTERSTATE

INTERSTATE

8

17

85

85

87

101

10

87

60

89

101

20210

51

101

74

60

89

93

60

MIDWAY BLVD

A.F.B.

Luke

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

MARICOPA COUNTY

SECTION LN

20

202S

303

303

R1W

T1N

T1S

CONSTRUCTION

NOT FOR

PRELIMINARY

xx% PLANS

TRACS NO.

REGION

F.H.W.A.STATE PROJECT NO.

NO.

SHEET

SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

8/1

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Z:\v8iS

S4\Sta

ndards\d

gn\T

T0000_S

S_Earth

work

CoverS

ht.dgn

1:0

7:2

2 P

M19 AZ TT0000 10

PROJECT NO. TT0000

VICINITY MAP

MARICOPA COUNTYNot to Scale

Not to Scale

OP

A

CIRA

M

CO

UNTY

A R IZ O N A

ROADWAY NAME - SECTION AVE TO SECTION DRIVE

PROJECT NO. TT0000

INDEX

3-20....

2.........

1......... EARTHWORK SUMMARY

MASS DIAGRAM

CROSS SECTIONS

EARTHWORK AND CROSS SECTION SHEETS FOR

20 1 TT0000

ROADWAY NAME

† Existing asphalt pavements are assumed to be incorporated into the embankment fill.Notes:

TT0000

TRACS NO.

8/1

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BX_Earth

work

Su

m.d

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REGION


NO.

SHEET

SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

9 AZ

ESTIMATED EARTHWORK QUANTITIES

SOIL FACTORS

Available for Embankment

Shrink


Retention Basin Excavation

Roadway Embankment (from End Area Calculations)

Roadway Excavation (from End Area Calculations)

Structural Backfill

Total Required Embankment

Swell

Waste Material

Retention Basin Embankment

Total Available for Embankment †

EARTHWORK SUMMARY REPORT

CY

Shrink (-) or Swell (+) CY

Available for Embankment CY

Shrink (-) or Swell (+)

'Drainage' Excavation

CY

CY

CY



CY

CY

Structure Excavation



CY

CY

Pipe Excavation



CY

CY

Over Excavation

Ground Compaction CY

CY

CY

CY

CY

'Drainage' Embankment

Pipe Bedding

CYPipe Backfill

CY

X X X

0+00 to 00+00

0+00 to 00+00

X X X

Location Shrink (%) Swell (%) Ground Compaction (inches)

Total Waste Material

CY

CY

CY

CY

CY

CY

CY

CY

20 2

MASS DIAGRAM

EA

RT

HW

OR

K V

OL

UM

E (

CY)

-12000

-11000

-8000

-9000

-10000

-6000

-7000

-4000

-5000

14000

15000

13000

11000

12000

16000

-2000

-3000

-1000

17000

18000

3000

4000

2000

0

1000

5000

9000

10000

8000

6000

7000

10+00

15+00

20+00

25+00

30+00

35+00

TT0000

TT0000

ROADWAY NAME

ROADWAY NAME STATIONING

3. Existing asphalt pavements are assumed to be incorporated into the embankment fill.

2. Ground Compaction of 0.00 feet

-0.0% Sta 00+00.00 to Sta 00+00.00

+0.0% Sta 00+00.00 to Sta 00+00.00

1. Shrink/Swell factors:

Mass Diagram Calculation Assumptions:

TRACS NO.

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NO.

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SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

9 AZ

+17,061 CY

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

66+00.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

66+50.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

67+00.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+ +

+

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

++

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

67+50.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+ ++

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

++

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

68+00.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+++

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

++

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

68+50.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

69+00.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

++

+

+

++

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

69+50.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

++

+

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

0 10 20 30 40-10-20-30-33

70+00.00

1910

1911

1912

1913

1914

+

+

+

+

+

+

++

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

REGION


NO.

SHEET

SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

98/1

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Z:\v8iS

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CrossSections_S

mallerR

oads.d

gn

AZ1:0

7:2

4 P

M 23 20

Cut Area =17.28 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

Cut Area =14.09 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

Cut Area =17.58 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

Cut Area =14.22 SF

Fill Area = 0.84 SF

Cut Area =11.06 SF

Fill Area = 2.18 SF

Cut Area =4.80 SF

Fill Area = 1.70 SF

Cut Area =3.88 SF

Fill Area = 2.49 SF

Cut Area =10.41 SF

Fill Area = 0.69 SF

Cut Area =40.99 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

TT0000

ROADWAY NAME TT0000

TRACS NO.

-18:1-1.00% 1.00% 20:1

3:1-20:1

-1.00% 1.00% 1.56%

-12:1

-1.00% 1.00% 0.61%

-12:1-1.00% 1.00% -1.60%

-11:1-1.00% 1.00% -13:1

-9:1-1.00% 1.00% -4.38%

-9:1-1.00% 1.00% -3.60%

-12:1-1.00% 1.00% -3.56%

3:1-20:1

-1.00% 1.00%7:1

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.0

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.1

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.2

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.3

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.4

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.5

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.6

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.6

9

CL Off 0.0'

El 1912.1

1

EP Off -12.0'

El 1911.9

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.1

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.0

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.2

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.1

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.3

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.2

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.4

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.3

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.5

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.4

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.6

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.5

1

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.7

5

EP Off -12.0'

El 1912.5

7

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.8

1

EP Off -12.0'

El 1911.9

9

EP Off 1

2.0'

El 1912.2

3

Off -18.0'

El 1911.7

1

Off -18.0'

El 1911.6

9

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -27.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 2

5.0'

STA 66+00.00 TO STA 70+00.00

8/1

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REGION


NO.

SHEET

SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

9 AZ 17 4

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 75-10-20-30-40-50-60-70-75

20+50

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 75-10-20-30-40-50-60-70-75

20+96

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 75-10-20-30-40-50-60-70-75

21+00

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

1223

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 75-10-20-30-40-50-60-70-75

21+50

1217

1218

1219

1220

1221

1222

Cut Area =53.42 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

Cut Area =124.72 SF

Fill Area = 0.01 SF

Cut Area =124.55 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

Cut Area =121.03 SF

Fill Area = 0.00 SF

ROADWAY NAME TT0000

TT0000

TRACS NO.

Ne

w R/W Off -46.2'

Ne

w R/W Off -45.4'

Ne

w R/W Off -45.4'

Ne

w R/W Off -50.4'

Exist

R/W Off -31.2'

Exist

R/W Off 4

8.8'

Exist

R/W Off -30.4'

Exist

R/W Off 4

9.6'

Exist

R/W Off -30.4'

Exist

R/W Off 4

9.6'

Exist

R/W Off -30.4'

Exist

R/W Off 4

9.6'

TC

E Off -71.2'

TC

E Off -70.4'

TC

E Off -68.1'

TC

E Off -65.4'

EP Off -30.7'

El 1219.8

4

EP Off -31.6'

El 1219.7

0

EP Off 3

1.6'

El 1220.0

7

EP Off -31.6'

El 1219.6

9

EP Off 3

1.6'

El 1220.0

5

EP Off -31.6'

El 1219.5

3

EP Off 3

1.6'

El 1219.7

5

CL Off 0.0'

El 1220.5

5

CL Off 0.0'

El 1220.3

3

CL Off 0.0'

El 1220.3

2

CL Off 0.0'

El 1220.1

7

Off -11.3'

El 1220.2

6

El 1220.2

0Off -37.7'

El 1220.3

4

Off -38.6'

Off -38.6'

El 1220.1

8

Off -42.6'

El 1220.0

9

Off 3

7.6'

El 1220.5

6Off 3

8.0'

El 1220.5

4

Off 4

2.6'

El 1220.3

4

Off -33.6'

Off -32.7'

El 1220.2

6El 1220.1

2

Off -33.6'

El 1220.1

1

Off -33.6'

El 1219.5

1

El 1220.4

9

Off 3

3.6'

Off 3

3.6'

El 1220.4

7

Off 3

3.6'

El 1219.7

4

-2.16%-2.55%

-2.00% -0.84%

-2.01% -0.86%

-2.02% -1.32%

1.50%

1.50%

1.50%

1.50%

1.50%

1.50% 4:1

4:1

4:1

4:1

4.34%

2.00%

TC

E Off -68.1'

STA 20+50.00 TO STA 21+50.00

REGION


NO.

SHEET

SHEETS

TOTALRECORD DRAWING

98/1

1/2

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Z:\v8iS

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CrossSections_

Gre

aterEle

vC

hange.d

gn

AZ1:0

7:2

5 P

M 20 15 TT0000

11211122112311241125112611271128112911301131113211331134113511361137113811391140114111421143114411451146114711481149115011511152

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80-10-20-30-40-50-60-70

25+50.00

11211122112311241125112611271128112911301131113211331134113511361137113811391140114111421143114411451146114711481149115011511152

11171118111911201121112211231124112511261127112811291130113111321133

0 10 20 30 32-10-20-30-40-50-60-70-80-90-100-110-120

26+00.00

11171118111911201121112211231124112511261127112811291130113111321133

1122112311241125112611271128112911301131113211331134113511361137113811391140

32 40 50 60 70

26+00.00 (+1)

1122112311241125112611271128112911301131113211331134113511361137113811391140

ROADWAY NAME TT0000

Cut Area = 365.02 SF

Fill Area = 26.88 SF

Fill Area = 1.47 SF

Cut Area = 697.41 SF

TRACS NO.

Ne

w R/W Off -44.0'

Ne

w R/W Off 4

6.0'

Ne

w R/W Off -44.0'

New R/W Off 46.0'

Slo

pe E

smt

Off 7

4.7'

Slope Esmt Off 66.2'

Drn E

smt

Off -64.0'

Drn E

smt

Off -64.0'

TC

E Off -104.0'

CL Off 0.0'

El 1127.2

0

CL Off 0.0'

El 1124.9

7

EP Off -17.0'

El 1126.8

6

EP Off 1

7.0'

El 1126.8

6

EP Off -17.0'

El 1124.6

3

EP Off 1

7.0'

El 1124.6

3

Off -42.6'

El 1122.6

8

Off -51.0'

El 1118.1

6

Off 3

2.0'

El 1125.1

8

Off 3

2.0'

El 1122.9

5

Off 4

2.0'

El 1127.6

8

Off 4

2.0'

El 1125.4

5

Off -24.0'

El 1126.5

1

Off -24.0'

El 1124.2

8

Off 2

4.0'

El 1126.5

1

Off 2

4.0'

El 1124.2

8

4:1-5:1

-20:1 -2.00% -2.00% -20:1-6:1

4:1

1:1

4:1

-4:1

-20:1 -2.00% -2.00% -20:1

4:1

1:1

-6:1

STA 25+50.00 TO STA 26+00.00

maricopa county department of transportation earthwork

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