Volume Estimation for Highway Curves Using End-Area Rule

Abstract

The volume calculation of road sub surface materials in highways is important in project cost estimation prior to the construction, and in investigations after the construction. Usually it is done with the linear measurements and a level line as the field measurements, and the end-area-rule is the most widely used equation in the calculation. This theory provides the volume between two consecutive sections which should be parallel to each other. Curve shape is often neglected in most of the construction projects due to the difficulty of conducting an advanced control network survey. Therefore, calculated material volume of a road bend might drastically deviate from the original material volume. This study was carried out to develop a physical model to determine the volume between two cross sections which are not parallel. Initially the scope of the study was limited to a circular curve with uniform variation of cross section. The volumes between two cross sections for different angles were measured using the mathematical and physical models in order find the correlation between them. It was found that the end-arearule is valid for circular curves and the developed physical model provides an acceptable estimation of volume. The outcome of the research would assist construction professionals to identify the error of the previously used method and to overcome the predicament.