Mass Haul Diagram
Upload an earthwork quantities table to plot the mass haul curve, identify balance points, and analyse cut/fill balance.
Upload Your Earthwork Quantities
Upload an Excel (.xlsx) or CSV file with columns for Station, Cut Volume (m³), and Fill Volume (m³).
Engineering Notice & Review Requirement:
Calculation generated by InfraDigital CAD based on the selected methodology and entered parameters. Project-specific engineering review and verification are required before final design, submission or construction use.
Mass Haul Diagram Plotter Documentation
Technical specifications, mathematical formulas, and civil guidelines
1. Functional Purpose & Methodology
A Mass Haul Diagram (MHD) is a continuous graphical curve showing cumulative net earthwork volume along a highway alignment. It is the primary engineering tool used to balance cuts and fills, determine economic haul distances, identify borrow pit and spoil disposal locations, and minimize expensive contractor overhaul claims. The Mass Haul Diagram Plotter processes station volumes, applies soil shrinkage and bulking factors, computes mass ordinates, and identifies balance loops.
Without mass haul optimization, contractors may haul excavated cut material excessively far when nearby fills require material, or haul uphill unnecessarily, dramatically inflating project earthwork costs and diesel emissions.
2. Practical Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Earthwork Takeoff Data: Export station chainages, cut volumes (m³), and fill volumes (m³) from your geometric corridor model into a CSV file.
- Upload Section Data: Drag and drop the CSV file into the plotter interface.
- Define Soil & Haul Parameters: Enter the cut material shrinkage coefficient (e.g., 0.85), contractor Freehaul Distance (FHD, e.g., 100m to 300m), and unit cost of overhaul ($/m³-station).
- Adjust Balance Lines: Use the interactive balance line slider to evaluate haul loops, identify zero-ordinate crossings, and balance cut/fill segments.
- Export Mass Curve & Report: Download the interactive SVG diagram, along with tabular summaries of balance loops, overhaul volumes, and haul distances.
3. Mathematical Formulations & Variable Definitions
Mass haul ordinates represent the cumulative algebraic sum of adjusted cut and fill volumes:
- Mass Haul Ordinate (M_i):M_i = M_(i-1) + (V_cut × SF) - V_fillWhere M_i = cumulative mass ordinate at station i (m³), SF = soil shrinkage factor, V_cut = cut volume in segment, and V_fill = fill volume in segment.
- Slope Interpretation: An upward-sloping mass curve indicates a cut section (surplus), while a downward-sloping curve indicates a fill section (deficit). Peaks correspond to cut-to-fill transition points.
- Average Haul Distance (D_avg): For a closed balance loop:D_avg = Area_loop / V_loopWhere Area_loop = area enclosed between the mass curve and the balance line (m³·m), and V_loop = maximum ordinate height of the loop (m³).
- Overhaul Volume-Distance (OH):OH = V_loop × max(0, D_avg - FHD)Where FHD = contractually specified freehaul distance.
- Economic Limit of Haul (ELH): Haul distance beyond which borrowing is cheaper than hauling:ELH = FHD + (Cost_borrow / Cost_overhaul)
4. Standard Haul Parameters (ERA Standard Technical Specifications 2013)
Contractual haul definitions per ERA Standard Technical Specifications Series 2000:
| Parameter | Standard Value | Contractual Billing Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Freehaul Distance (FHD) | 200 meters (or 500m) | Included in standard roadway excavation unit rate |
| Overhaul Unit | m³·km or m³·station | Billed separately under pay item for haul exceeding FHD |
| Economic Limit of Haul (ELH) | 1.5 km - 2.5 km | Beyond ELH, material is wasted and fill obtained from borrow pit |
5. Output Interpretation & Haul Optimization
Examine the mass curve profile for key engineering operational decisions:
- Loops Above Balance Line: Material moves forward (in direction of stationing).
- Loops Below Balance Line: Material moves backward (opposite to stationing).
- Deep Depressions: Identify large un-balanced troughs that indicate where opening a designated borrow pit is mandatory.
6. Related Technical Guides & Workflow Integration
Read our in-depth engineering guide on Advanced Mass Haul Optimization for algorithmic balancing strategies.