Earthworks cut & fill calculator
Calculate cut and fill volumes, look up soil bulking factors, and estimate disposal tonnage. Built for UK groundworkers and site engineers.
Volume calculator
Enter your excavation or fill dimensions to calculate bank, loose, and compacted volumes.
Bulking & shrinkage reference
Typical values for UK soil types. Use the tabs to switch between cut (excavation) and fill (placement) properties.
| Soil type | Bulk density (kg/m³) | Bulking factor | Loose density (kg/m³) | Tonnes per m³ (bank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1,450 | 1.25 | 1,160 | 1.45 |
| Clay | 1,750 | 1.30 | 1,346 | 1.75 |
| Sand | 1,600 | 1.12 | 1,429 | 1.60 |
| Gravel | 1,850 | 1.12 | 1,652 | 1.85 |
| Chalk | 1,500 | 1.35 | 1,111 | 1.50 |
| Made ground | 1,600 | 1.25 | 1,280 | 1.60 |
| Rock | 2,500 | 1.50 | 1,667 | 2.50 |
Bulking factor = ratio of loose volume to bank volume. A factor of 1.25 means 1 m³ in-situ becomes 1.25 m³ after excavation.
Disposal tonnage estimator
Estimate the number of wagon loads needed to remove excavated material from site.
Total tonnage
145.0 t
Bank volume x bulk density
Number of loads
13
Loose volume / vehicle capacity, rounded up
Tip and disposal rates vary by region, waste classification, and tip site. Contact your local tip for current rates.
CBR reference values
Typical California Bearing Ratio values by soil type. CBR determines suitability as fill and influences pavement design thickness.
| Soil type | Typical CBR range (%) | Suitability as fill | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topsoil | 1-3 | Not suitable | Strip and store separately. Cannot be used as structural fill. |
| Clay (stiff) | 3-7 | Acceptable (Class 2) | Moisture-sensitive. May need lime stabilisation below CBR 5. |
| Clay (soft) | 1-3 | Poor | Likely needs removal or treatment. High shrink-swell risk. |
| Sand | 10-20 | Good (Class 1) | Free-draining. Good bearing capacity when confined. |
| Gravel | 20-60 | Excellent (Class 1) | Ideal structural fill. Self-draining. |
| Chalk | 3-8 | Acceptable (Class 3) | Frost-susceptible. Keep below 450mm from surface. |
| Made ground | Variable | Test required | Always test. May contain contaminants. Waste classification needed. |
| Crushed rock | 40-80 | Excellent (Class 6) | Engineered fill. Consistent properties. |
CBR values are indicative. Always verify with site-specific testing, particularly for pavement design and structural fill acceptance.
Important notes
- • These are typical values. Actual values depend on site-specific conditions and should be verified by ground investigation.
- • All fill placement should comply with the project specification and relevant standards (BS 6031 and National Highways MCHW Series 600 where applicable).
- • Contaminated or hazardous material requires waste classification before disposal. Duty of care applies under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Sources
- BS 6031:2009 Code of practice for earthworks
- National Highways standards search for MCHW Series 600 earthworks specifications
- GOV.UK: Dispose of hazardous waste duty of care and hazardous waste handling guidance
Built by Rospower Projects. We deliver earthworks and groundworks across the UK.
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