Sheet 1 of 3 2015

FUNDAMENTALS OF EARTHMOVING
Earthmoving Job Planning requires
Dividing the job (Breaking the Job Down) into manageable tasks
based on different types of Machines
Calculating task durations - based on machine productivity, where
machine productivity is based on
Machine Performance i.e. machine capability, and
Soil behaviour
Earthmoving task duration calculations are approximate. Task
duration calculations are often a check on the judgement of an
experienced person.

SOIL VOLUME MEASURES

Three types of measure - Bank Loose Compacted
WHY?
Task Planning
Contract Administration
Contract administration needs a reliable means of measuring work done
(reliable = free of argument and easily checked)
Swell Factor = Load Factor = Loose Density / Bank Density
(< 1)
= Bank Vol / Equiv Wt in Loose Vol (< 1)
Shrinkage Factor = Bank Density / Compacted Density
(< 1)
= Compacted Vol / Equivalent Wt in Bank Vol (< 1)
EFFECTS OF MOISTURE CONTENT
Dry Density (1 + M/C) = Wet Density
This may sometimes be applicable in assessing a task where, for example, truck
capacity (truck productivity) is weight limited rather than volume limited.

Sheet 2 of 3 2015

MACHINE PERFORMANCE IS DEPENDENT ON

POWER REQUIRED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE
POWER AVAILABLE FROM THE MACHINE (ON THE BASIS OF MACHINE
ENGINE POWER AND TRANSMISSION)
POWER USABLE ON THE BASIS OF TRACTION I.E. SURFACE
CONDITIONS
Power REQUIRED to overcome resistance
= Rolling Resistance (RR) + Grade Resistance (GR)
RR = % of Gross Vehicle Weight applies to wheeled vehicles
generally not tracked
Eg. Hard smooth surface 2% of GVW
Soft mud up to 20% of GVW
GR = % Grade x GVW
Total Resistance as a % = TR (%) = RR (%) + GR (%)
Power AVAILABLE from the machine (on the basis of machine engine
power and transmission)
= Drawbar Pull

taken from performance charts for tracked machines

varies with speed and gear
= Rimpull taken from performance charts for wheeled machines
- varies with speed and gear (example problem shows situation
where power available (in a high gear) < power required to
overcome resistance, therefore vehicle cannot move
Note : Altitude Correction = 1% loss of power per 100m above 300m
Power USABLE on the basis of traction
= Weight on Drive Wheels x Traction Factor
Eg. Traction Factor Dry Sand Rubber Tyres 0.2
Concrete
Tyres 0.9

Tracks 0.3
Tracks 0.45

Sheet 3 of 3 2015

If Power Usable (traction) > Power

Required (to overcome resistance)

Machine CAN move

If Power Usable (traction) < Power

Required (to overcome resistance)

Machine CANNOT move

If Power available (machine

Machine CANNOT move

If Power available (machine

Machine CAN move

performance) < Power required (to

overcome resistance)
performance) > Power required (to
overcome resistance)

Estimating Job Production

Three factors
Time
Cycle Time = Variable Time + Fixed Time
Material
Efficiency