Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The diagram in Figure 15.5 shows a cubic yard, the standard unit of meas-
urement used for calculating earth volumes. A cubic yard consists of three,
1-foot rows. To convert to cubic yards, multiply A × B × C or 3 × 3 × 3 = 27, or
27 cubic feet. Divide 27 into the number of cubic feet calculated in Step 2,
and the result is the number of cubic yards.
5.
To calculate the volume in cubic yards:
Divide 24,000 cubic feet by 27 to get the volume of fill in cubic yards.
24,000 CY / 27 = 889 cubic yards
6.
The next steps are to continue calculating the volume of fill for contours
60 and 65 in Figure 15.4, then add up the grand total to give the total cubic
yards of fill required to follow the grading plan. Then apply the same process
to calculate the volume of cut for each contour.
To put in perspective the amount of fill material required for con-
tour 55, divide 889 cubic yards by 15 CY (the amount of material a fully
loaded dump truck can hold).
889 CY / 15 = 59.2 fully loaded dump trucks.
In the example of a grading in Figure 15.6, note that the higher con-
tours will overlap the contours below them. Contour 55 extends beyond
the existing 54 contour. We could have an example where contours are
extended to cover three, four, and many more contours in cases where
a greater modification of the existing terrain is necessary to provide the
appropriate landform to accommodate particular site design elements. If
a tennis court were to be constructed on a steep hill slope, considerable
modification or grading of that slope would be necessary.
The steps necessary to calculate the volume of fill for contour 55 in
Figure 15.6 are as follows:
1.
Note the scale of the grading plan drawing: 20 scale.
2.
Measure the number of square inches:
