Bulk excavation = area × average cut depth. A 60 × 40 m area with corner cuts of 1.8, 2.2, 2.6 and 2.0 m averages 2.15 m, so 5,160 m³. At 80 m³ an hour that is about 65 excavator hours (8 working days) and 645 loads of 10 m³.
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Hours = 5,160 ÷ 80 per hour = 64.5; days = 64.5 ÷ 8 = 8.1
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Formulas
Average depth = (h₁ + h₂ + h₃ + h₄) ÷ 4Volume = L × W × average depth (prismoidal with batters)Hours = volume ÷ excavator outputDays = hours ÷ working hours per day
Worked Example
A 60 × 40 m area, corner cuts 1.8, 2.2, 2.6 and 2.0 m, vertical edges, 80 m³/h excavator, 8-hour days:
Digging large open areas down to a reduced level (site strips, basements, car parks and platforms) usually with large excavators loading trucks, as opposed to trenches and pits.
How do I calculate cut volume from levels?
Find the cut depth at each corner (existing level minus formation level), average them, and multiply by the area. For uneven ground, divide the site into a grid and add up each square.
How long will bulk excavation take?
Divide the bank volume by the excavator's realistic hourly output (after delays), then by working hours per day. Trucks often limit output more than the excavator does.
