Earthwork quantities for a building pad and driveways

[rjg915]

I haven't been able to figure out how to create earthwork quantities and take off for building slab and sub-grades for driveways/parking areas.  Is there a simple way to add these items into your volume report? Running 2015 civil 3d.

Carlson has a nice program for this but I have to use civil 3d.  Thanks

[Pointdump]

RJG,

I don't know about "simple", but have you tried here:

Dave

[Joe-Bouza]

A sure way to get less views here is the have a phrase in your post espousing the virtues of a software package that cant be used.

Dave shows you a good way to get it done.

[rjg915]

That will give me a total volume from existing grade to finish grade; I want to break out the building pad, sub-grades, etc.  I have found where other people have created multiple surfaces but I think there should be an easier way.

Thanks, Ron

[Joe-Bouza]

For total Earth Work there is:

Anything in the finished grade surface either increases the cut or decreases the fill of the "surface to surface" calculation. A subgrade will never increase the fill quantity

Note that +cut = -fill. For me the algebra is indisputable

Therefore, a simple hand calculation of the subgrade areax depth added the to surface to surface "cut" value yields the ultimate earth work numbers. The diagram below is true for anything in the ground; pavement, sidwalks, foundations, drainage, etc.

[vlsheehan]

You can also use the original "reportsurfacevolume" command. You don't have to create the additional volume surface. I recreated the button on the Volumes and Materials panel in the Analyze tab of the ribbon.

[rjg915]

That's what I do now, was hoping there was a way to have autocad subtract or add those areas in.  Carlson's earthwork program does it so I figured this should, but apparently not.

[Pointdump]

RJG,

"...I think there should be an easier way."

Unfortunately, the more a program does, the more complicated it becomes. Creating multiple comparison surfaces doesn't seem that difficult to me.

I'm curious. If Carlson's Earthworks Program is so easy, why aren't you using it to get your quantities?

Dave

[rjg915]

I am forced to use civil 3d because of license conflicts.  I have to save my civil 3d back down to use carlson; their earthwork program is what everyone in the office was used to.  You create all your sub-grade limits, enter your depths and the volume calc breaks it all out.  But seeing that I have to use 3d, thought someone here could offer some advice on how they break their sub-grades out.  Each program has its faults.

There's a material volume tab in 3d but can't get it to work.  I am wondering if anyone has ever used that component, maybe I just don't understand what the "material volume tab" is really.  My thought is that you add in your materials and then you calculate your volumes utilizing the materials you created.

If creating multiple surface is the best way then so be it.

[neilyj666]

Dynamic differential TINS may be a way forward for you http://forums.autodesk.com/autodesk/attachments/autodesk/66/245206/1/cdieziger@gmail.com

[rjg915]

Now this sounds like a good solution, I'll take a look at this.  Thanks

[neilyj666]

It's a good technique but there is a bit of upfront work preparing the depth/thickness models

[Joe-Bouza]

I'll bite.

How does Carlson do it?

[Joe-Bouza]

Yeah... why not?

[Joe-Bouza]

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@rjg915 wrote:

I am forced to use civil 3d because of license conflicts.  I have to save my civil 3d back down to use carlson; their earthwork program is what everyone in the office was used to.  You create all your sub-grade limits, enter your depths and the volume calc breaks it all out.  But seeing that I have to use 3d, thought someone here could offer some advice on how they break their sub-grades out.  Each program has its faults.

There's a material volume tab in 3d but can't get it to work.  I am wondering if anyone has ever used that component, maybe I just don't understand what the "material volume tab" is really.  My thought is that you add in your materials and then you calculate your volumes utilizing the materials you created.

If creating multiple surface is the best way then so be it.

---

Right, and thats exactly what you have to tell civil3d

[rjg915]

Carlson runs on an autocad platform and isn't much different than civil 3d in performing earthwork.  You create an existing and design surface; it uses polylines with elevations attached.  You define your depths of sub-grade, topsoil, etc.  You outline your subgrade limits on a separate layer.  Then calculate your volumes.  The only difference here would be that your not creating a surface for the sub-grades; it does it for you.

[Pointdump]

RJG,

I think any Carlson program that runs on an AutoCAD platform can be added to Civil 3D. If you're used to Carlson, that might be the best of all worlds. There are a ton of "add-ons" available that C3D'ers use to make life easier.

Dave