AALASOS-ENGR
FreeAvailable now — free

Excavation Calculator

Estimate excavation volumes.

Construction Estimation SuiteStep 1 of 5

Project & Input Data

no.
%

Varies significantly by soil type and compaction state — enter a project-appropriate value.

Engineering Assumptions

  • Excavation sides are vertical and dimensions are constant over the full depth.
  • Slope design, shoring and dewatering are not included.
  • All percentages and inputs are user-defined; the calculation is purely arithmetic and assumes no particular code or specification.

Formula Summary

  • In-situ volume = L × W × D × count
  • Bulking volume = in-situ × bulking%
  • Loose volume = in-situ × (1 + bulking%)

Results

Enter your data and press Calculate to see the results.

Engineering Insight

The in-situ volume is normally used for measurement and payment, while the loose volume is what is actually hauled and drives truck trip counts. The difference directly affects disposal cost.

Recommended Action

Use a bulking factor based on the geotechnical report and plan haulage trips on the loose volume, not the in-situ volume.

Next step

This calculator is fully usable as it is. Professional adds saved projects, calculation history and PDF/Excel reports; Premium adds the integrated workflows and the BOQ generator.

Workflow: Construction Estimation SuiteAll tools in this disciplineCompare levels and pricing

Excavation is paid in-situ but hauled loose. This calculator gives both figures: the bank (in-situ) volume from your dimensions, and the loose volume after the bulking percentage you enter for the soil actually encountered.

Method and assumptions

  • In-situ volume = L × W × D × count
  • Bulking volume = in-situ × bulking%
  • Loose volume = in-situ × (1 + bulking%)
  • Excavation sides are vertical and dimensions are constant over the full depth.
  • Slope design, shoring and dewatering are not included.
  • All percentages and inputs are user-defined; the calculation is purely arithmetic and assumes no particular code or specification.

Worked example

Three trenches 12.0 m × 2.5 m × 1.8 m deep with a 20% bulking allowance.

Worked example results
ResultValue
In-situ excavation volume162 m³
Bulking allowance32.4 m³
Loose / disposal volume194.4 m³

These figures are produced by the same calculator engine used on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Does it add working space or side slopes?
No. It multiplies the dimensions you enter. If your method statement requires working space or battered sides, include them in the entered dimensions.
What bulking percentage is typical?
It depends on the soil and is entered by you. The calculator assumes no soil classification and applies no default other than zero.
How do I get the backfill quantity?
Use the Backfill Calculator, which deducts the volume occupied by structures and applies your own compaction factor.

Related calculators

Next step

Free calculators are open to everyone. Project saving and PDF/Excel reports come with Professional, and integrated workflows with Premium.