Building a swimming pool starts with one of the most crucial steps — excavation. Before you start digging, it’s important to know how much soil needs to be removed, how long it will take, and what it will cost.
Our Pool Excavation Calculator helps you estimate total excavation volume, cost, duration, equipment size, and truckloads based on your pool dimensions, soil type, and excavation rate.
Formula for Pool Excavation
1. Formula for Total Excavation Volume
The basic volume of a pool is calculated as:
Total Excavation Volume=Length×Width×Depth
For Oval or Kidney-shaped pools, the calculator uses shape adjustment factors (e.g., 0.8–0.9) to approximate the real volume.
2. Formula for Adjusted Volume with Safety Margin
To account for slope, irregular pool shapes, and safe working space, add the safety margin:
Adjusted Volume=Total Volume×(1+100Safety Margin)
3. Formula for Estimated Cost
The cost of excavation is based on the adjusted volume and the cost per cubic unit:
Estimated Cost=Adjusted Volume×Unit Cost per Cubic Meter
4. Formula for Estimated Duration
If you know the excavation rate (volume per hour), you can estimate the project duration:
Estimated Duration (hrs)=Excavation SpeedAdjusted Volume
5. Formula for Number of Truckloads for Disposal
To estimate how many truck trips are needed to remove soil:
Number of Truckloads=Truck CapacityAdjusted Volume
6. Recommended Equipment Size
Equipment recommendation is based on soil type and volume:
- Clay or Sand (Small Volume) → Backhoe or Mini Excavator
- Rocky or Mixed (Large Volume) → Crawler Excavator or Hydraulic Breaker
Example Calculation
Let’s assume the following details:
- Pool Length: 10 m
- Pool Width: 5 m
- Pool Depth: 2 m
- Safety Margin: 10%
- Unit Cost: 2.5 per m³
- Excavation Speed: 20 m³/hr
- Truck Capacity: 5 m³
Step 1: Calculate Total Excavation Volume
Total Volume=10×5×2=100m3
Step 2: Adjust Volume with Safety Margin
Adjusted Volume=100×(1+10010)=110m3
Step 3: Calculate Estimated Cost
Estimated Cost=110×2.5=275
Step 4: Estimate Duration
Duration=20110=5.5hours
Step 5: Estimate Truckloads
Truckloads=5110=22loads
Final Results:
- Total Excavation Volume: 100 m³
- Adjusted Volume (with 10% margin): 110 m³
- Estimated Cost: 275
- Estimated Duration: 5.5 hours
- Truckloads Required: 22
Conclusion
The Pool Excavation Calculator helps you accurately estimate the volume, cost, and time required to dig your swimming pool. By accounting for soil type, safety margin, and truck capacity, it gives a realistic picture of what to expect before you start.
Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor, this tool simplifies planning and budgeting for your next pool project.
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