Estimating Highway Earthwork Cross Sections by Using Vector and Parametric Representation

Two methods are introduced for using vector and parametric representation for precisely estimating cross-sectional areas for highway earthwork. Accurate estimation of cross-sectional areas can minimize errors in the total earthwork cost calculation. The vectors and the parametric representation are used to describe mathematically any referencing point along a cross section. Two methods by which to calculate cross-section earthwork areas—proportionally weighted interpolation and planar interpolation—are developed and are based on the cases most likely to be encountered. These methods can supply precise earthwork cost estimates to highly automated alignment optimization processes. An example study shows that the proposed methods give more-precise results than do the existing methods. The proposed methods not only are simple but also have important advantages in automation, ease of handling, and good adaptability to highway alignment optimization algorithms.