Earthwork Volume Calculation With XGRIDS L2 Pro — 2,000m² Construction Site Survey, Turkey

Case Studies4 min read

Earthwork volume calculations have traditionally required multiple crew members spending hours taking point-by-point measurements across construction sites.

The Challenge

Earthwork volume calculations have traditionally required multiple crew members spending hours taking point-by-point measurements across construction sites. These spot measurements create gaps that must be filled through interpolation, introducing calculation errors and potential disputes over quantities for invoicing.

Compounding the problem: excavation sites often include steep slopes, unstable terrain, and other hazardous areas. Traditional methods require surveyors to physically enter these zones to capture measurements, which could create occupational health and safety risks that extend project liability.

The Solution

Atlıhan Engineering deployed the XGRIDS L2 Pro to survey a 2,000m² earthwork site, using ground control points (GCPs) measured with survey-grade GPS for coordinate transformation.

Field Efficiency:

The L2 Pro's continuous scanning eliminates the setup-move-setup cycle required by traditional surveying equipment, reducing a half-day task to under 15 minutes.

Single operator scanning a 2,000 square meter earthwork site with a Lixel L2 Pro handheld 3D scanner
Single operator scanning a 2,000 square meter earthwork site with a Lixel L2 Pro handheld 3D scanner
  • Crew: 1 person (vs. 2+ with traditional methods)
  • Scan time: 10 minutes in single pass (vs. ~3 hours)
  • Coverage: Complete site coverage with zero interpolation gaps

Technical Results:

Colorized point cloud model of the excavation site used for earthwork volume calculation
Colorized point cloud model of the excavation site used for earthwork volume calculation

Colorized Point Cloud Model

Site cross-section extracted from the scan data to support earthwork cut and fill analysis
Site cross-section extracted from the scan data to support earthwork cut and fill analysis

Site Cross-Section

Colorized 3D point cloud of the construction site surface captured in a single handheld pass
Colorized 3D point cloud of the construction site surface captured in a single handheld pass

Colorized Point Cloud Model

Second site cross-section view extracted from the point cloud for precise earthwork measurement
Second site cross-section view extracted from the point cloud for precise earthwork measurement

Site Cross-Section

  • Point density: ~1,000 points/m² (vs. maximum 1 point/m² with traditional methods)
  • Accuracy: Point-based control tests showed no measurable difference from GPS measurements
  • Processing: 4 hours point cloud processing + 1 hour CAD/reporting
Elevation model of the 2,000 square meter excavation site built from dense point cloud data
Elevation model of the 2,000 square meter excavation site built from dense point cloud data

Elevation model of the 2,000 square meter excavation site.

Cross-section profile with a coordinate table of elevation values at regular intervals along the site
Cross-section profile with a coordinate table of elevation values at regular intervals along the site

Cross-section profile extracted from the point cloud, with coordinate table showing elevation values at regular intervals.

Topographic map generated from the Lixel L2 Pro point cloud of the construction site
Topographic map generated from the Lixel L2 Pro point cloud of the construction site

Topographic map generated from L2 Pro point cloud.

Cross-section profile listing station points and elevations derived from the 3D survey data
Cross-section profile listing station points and elevations derived from the 3D survey data

Cross-section profile with coordinate table showing station points and elevations.

Why Complete Coverage Matters

Traditional methods might take measurements every 50cm to approach similar accuracy, increasing fieldwork tenfold. More critically, the L2 Pro's dense point cloud captures the true terrain surface rather than approximating it through interpolation. This eliminates calculation errors from data gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like steep slopes where physical access poses safety risks.

Okan ATLIHAN, Atlıhan Engineering:

"It is totally trustable and better than traditional methods. Since all details are measured with no missing data in excavation sites or hard-to-reach areas, calculations are more accurate and precise. The client chose L2 Pro for speed, data completeness, and achieving more precise calculation results."

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