A Trench tab on every pipe item
Each pipe item opens a trench section drawn to scale. Depths come from the profiles, or from an average or runs you type where there are none. Set the trench width and clearances, box, sloped or benched walls, bedding up to the haunch, select backfill over the crown, undercut and rock, and the quantities update the moment you change anything. Settings can apply to every pipe of that service or to one item.
What it calculates
- Trench excavationCY by pipe size, with LF by depth band and the deepest cut
- BeddingCY and tons, up to the haunch, springline or crown
- Select and native backfillCY and tons, with the pipe's own volume taken out
- UndercutDepth and replacement stone, CY and tons
- RockFrom the geotech borings at both ends of each run, or a share you set
- Pavement restorationOver the share of each run under pavement, with patch tons
Pipe under pavement, tracked for you
Pipe runs that cross paved areas are marked under pavement automatically, and you can mark more, or mark stretches of undercut, while you draw. Those lengths drive the select backfill to the surface, the asphalt patch and the restoration, so the most expensive feet of trench never get missed.
Your state's standard details
Load the bedding and backfill standard detail from your state DOT (41 states so far), or the local utility's where water and sewer follow it. Materials come from a library by state, picked from the state the plans are in and all yours to edit. Takeoff quantities stay neat; waste goes on in the estimate.
With the Estimating add-on, the trench spoils (excavation less the native backfill put back), select backfill and bedding stone go straight to the hauling planner, which works out the loads, trucks and tipping fees.
Pipe trench questions
Where do the pipe depths come from?
From the profile sheets where the plans have them. Where they don't, type an average depth or a table of runs on the pipe's Trench tab.
Are trench quantities in the pay totals?
No. Trench excavation, bedding and backfill are usually paid inside the pipe, so they are listed as incidental lines for pricing and stay out of the pay totals.
Does it work for storm, water and sewer?
Yes. Each service has its own trench template, and every pipe item can override it.
Can I add waste?
Add waste on the material lines in the estimate. The takeoff keeps neat quantities so they can be checked against the plans.
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