Construction soil estimation has grown considerably due to errors resulting in substantial financial losses. Earthwork makes up 10- 15% of any project’s total cost. Additionally, the cost of earthwork directly impacts contractors’ cut, fill, and material handling requirements. Reality such as this and the availability of technology, such as the Affordable Site Model, In., has caused the construction industry to undergo a sea of changes.
Transforming 2D Plans into Actionable 3D Data
In the past, traditional earthwork estimation was foreboded by extensive manual calculations and approximations. There was an almost inevitable discrepancy between the estimated and actual quantities. Today, the transformation process introduces a system that Affordable Site Model, Inc. employs with these steps:
- Digitizing existing 2D CAD files or paper plans
- Creating accurate existing terrain models
- Overlaying proposed grade plans
- Calculating precise cut and fill volumes
- Identifying material import/export requirements
- Determining optimal site balance solutions
Each step leverages specialized software that Affordable Site Model, Inc. employs to produce highly reliable volume calculations that contractors can confidently use for bidding and resource allocation.
Beyond Basic Calculations: Comprehensive Site Analysis
Today’s advanced earthwork takeoffs extend far beyond simple cut-and-fill calculations. The 3D modeling services provided by Affordable Site Model, Inc. offer contractors detailed insights into:
- Material segregation by type and location
- Optimized haul route planning
- Phasing recommendations for efficient earth movement
- Identification of potential drainage issues
- Volume calculations for specialized applications (trenching, structural excavation, etc.)
- Balance point analysis for minimizing material transportation
GPS Machine Control Integration: Field-Ready Data
An integrated GPS machine control system that allows for accurate site modeling is one of the essential innovations in contemporary earthwork estimation. Affordable Site Model has also successfully supplied over 9000 controllable machine models compatible with Trimble, Topcon, Leica, and Agtek machines.
These models allow operators to:
- Visualize design surfaces directly from equipment cabs
- Automatically adjust blade positions to match design grades
- Eliminate the need for extensive staking
- Reduce rework through precise grade control
- Track progress against design models in real-time
Industry-Wide Applications
The services provided by Affordable Site Model, Inc. span all sectors of construction. They include but are not limited to:
- Civil and other highway construction
- Commercial and industrial developments
- Residential construction and custom home sites
- Reconstruction projects in public works
- Specialty areas involving dams, railways, or landfills
- Siting and permitting of solar and wind farms
Affordable Site Model, Inc. has eight locations in different cities of the United States located in Clovis, California; Crested Butte, Colorado; Plano, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Oxford, Arkansas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Jackson, Tennessee.
The Value Proposition: Speed, Affordability, Accuracy
Affordable Site Model, Inc offers a strong value proposition to contractors bidding in tight markets and within tight programming; the value can be broken down into three attributes as follows:
Fast: Speedy output enables contractors to bid for more projects while being complete.
Affordable: When measurements are outsourced to Affordable Site Model, Inc., the results are numerous times more cost-effective.
Accurate: Precision modeling decreases the chances of risks due to financial misestimating the quantity, thus creating bidding levels with confidence.
Going forward, as construction technology grows further, the solutions created by Affordable Site Model, Inc. will progress into the comprehensive set, including enhanced data from the site in real time, machine learning models, and improved visualization capabilities. Firms collaborating with expert firms like Affordable Site Model, Inc. position themselves to bid more confidently.
