Anyone Can Easily Calculate Earthworks Volume! High-Speed, High-Accuracy On-Site Measurement and Cloud Integration with a Smartphone-Integrated Tool

Table of Contents

• Why a tool that can calculate earthworks volume on site is needed

• Traditional methods of earthworks volume calculation and their challenges

• What a smartphone-integrated earthworks volume calculation tool is

• How high-speed, high-accuracy surveying that anyone can do works

• Advantages of on-site data sharing via cloud integration

• Effects the smartphone surveying tool brings to the field

• Simple surveying with LRTK

• FAQ

Why a tool that can calculate earthworks volume on site is needed

On civil engineering and land development sites, it is extremely important to accurately grasp the volume of excavated or filled soil. For as-built management and reporting to clients, it is necessary to always know how much earth has been moved and how much more fill or cut is needed. However, traditionally it has not been easy to perform earthworks volume calculations immediately on site. The common practice was to call in surveying specialists to take careful measurements, then return to the office for analysis and calculation, which meant results took time. As a result, even if site personnel wanted to know “how much earth is present right now,” they could not get an immediate answer and often had to rely on experience and intuition to make decisions.

Recently, the construction industry faces labor shortages and needs to respond to work-style reforms, so efficient construction management methods are in high demand. In addition, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s push for *i-Construction* has accelerated the digitalization of sites (on-site DX). Against this backdrop, expectations are rising for tools that can measure earthworks volume in real time on site. If a tool that can calculate earthworks volume on site is available, site staff alone can check as-built conditions even when surveying specialists are absent, greatly improving construction progress management efficiency. Being able to grasp earth volume immediately when needed helps prevent rework and enables rapid decision-making, contributing to overall productivity improvement.

Traditional methods of earthworks volume calculation and their challenges

Until now, the following traditional methods have mainly been used to calculate earthworks volume at earthwork sites. Each has advantages, but they also present challenges for obtaining immediate on-site volume results.

• Surveying with a total station (TS): This method mounts an electronic distance meter, measures the elevations and positions of many points on site to build a terrain model, and calculates volume. While accuracy is high, measuring many points over large areas takes time and requires specialized surveyors and assistants. Because measurement through calculation takes time and effort, obtaining immediate on-site results is difficult.

• Average cross-section method: A long-used method in road construction. Cross sections of the terrain are measured at regular intervals, and the fill/cut volumes for each section are calculated from cross-sectional drawings and summed. It is a traditional drawing-based calculation method, but it cannot fully reflect terrain changes between sections and is therefore approximate. Also, surveying, drawing, and calculation take time, making it unsuitable for real-time understanding.

• Photogrammetry using drones: This increasingly common method uses drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) to capture the site from above and photogrammetry software to create 3D models and contour lines to calculate volume. It is effective for efficiently surveying wide areas, but is affected by weather, requires flight permission procedures, and data processing requires expertise. It is difficult to complete capture and analysis instantly, so obtaining results takes some time.

• Visual estimation based on experience: Sometimes heavy equipment operators or site supervisors roughly estimate volume as “about X truckloads.” However, judgments based on human intuition have large errors and can cause discrepancies with clients or problems in performance assessments.

As described above, traditional earthworks volume calculation methods have challenges such as requiring time and effort, requiring specialized skills, and lacking real-time capability. Even if an accurate volume is desired immediately, the time lag from surveying to analysis made it difficult to respond on the spot. Also, explaining volume with numbers alone is not intuitive, and communicating the situation to clients or other departments using paper drawings or tables was often troublesome.

What a smartphone-integrated earthworks volume calculation tool is

To solve these issues, the smartphone-integrated earthworks volume calculation tool has emerged. This is a new measurement system that combines a small positioning device attached to a smartphone, a dedicated app, and cloud services. Just by attaching a pocket-sized device to a smartphone, an ordinary smartphone instantly becomes a high-precision surveying instrument.

Representative components of a smartphone-integrated tool are as follows.

• High-precision GNSS receiver: An external GPS receiver attached to a smartphone. It supports RTK (Real Time Kinematic) GNSS and increases positioning accuracy to a few centimeters (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)) by applying corrections to satellite positioning. While a typical smartphone’s built-in GPS has errors on the order of meters, using this GNSS unit achieves surveying-equipment-level accuracy.

• Smartphone built-in sensors (LiDAR and camera): Modern smartphones are equipped with LiDAR (light-based distance measurement) scanners and high-performance cameras that can scan surrounding terrain and structures to acquire 3D point cloud data. This enables fine terrain undulations to be digitally recorded.

• Dedicated surveying app: An application that runs on the smartphone. It acquires high-precision position information from the positioning device while processing point cloud and photo data obtained from the phone’s sensors in real time. It also includes analysis functions such as volume calculation, allowing on-site volume computation. The user interface is intuitive, designed so that anyone can take measurements by simply moving the smartphone according to on-screen guidance.

• Cloud integration service: A service that stores and shares data acquired by the surveying app via the Internet. If 3D models and numerical results are uploaded to the cloud, office PCs and other team members can immediately share the information. Point clouds and volumes can be viewed in a browser without special software, making reporting and discussion smoother.

With such a smartphone-integrated tool, high-precision surveying that previously required large equipment and expertise becomes accessible. There is no need to carry heavy tripods or surveying machines around the site; a smartphone and a small device can cover a wide site. It truly is an innovative solution that enables “anyone to easily calculate earthworks volume.”

How high-speed, high-accuracy surveying that anyone can do works

The reason measurements using a smartphone-integrated tool are high-speed and high-accuracy lies in the underlying technology. Here we explain the points that make it possible for anyone to operate easily on site while achieving high accuracy.

First, RTK-capable GNSS is the key to high accuracy. A small GNSS receiver connected to the phone uses correction information from a base station (or augmentation signals from satellites) to continuously enable centimeter-level positioning (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). Because positioning accuracy is high, the acquired point cloud data and measurement points are assigned absolute coordinates, allowing on-site measurements to be compared directly with design drawings or reference surfaces. Traditionally, coordinate alignment was required after laser scanning, but with a smartphone-integrated tool, coordinate determination is completed simultaneously with measurement.

Next, the smartphone’s LiDAR sensor and camera contribute to speed through 3D scanning. Simply walking around the target pile of soil or excavation site while holding the smartphone allows the LiDAR to capture hundreds of thousands of points per second and instantly generate a point cloud. Combining this with high-precision position information makes it possible to calculate dimensions and volumes on the spot. Normally, point cloud data processing from 3D scanning required time on a PC, but the smartphone-integrated tool performs automatic processing within the app, so results are obtained simultaneously with measurement.

In addition, AR (augmented reality) technology is also utilized. Because virtual measurement results can be overlaid on the live camera view, understanding results becomes intuitive. For example, based on acquired earth volume data, overlaying information such as “which parts need to be excavated by how many cm to match the design surface” as a colored heatmap or numeric values on the live view makes surpluses and deficits immediately apparent. Even inexperienced workers can visually understand the situation and make appropriate decisions on the spot.

An app UI designed so that anyone can use it is another important point. Simply selecting a surveying mode and moving the smartphone according to on-screen instructions automatically acquires and analyzes data. Real-time display of positioning status and accuracy gives first-time users reassurance that measurements are proceeding correctly. The interface minimizes technical jargon and completes operations with simple button controls, making it a surveying tool “even people who are not good with machines can use without confusion.”

Advantages of on-site data sharing via cloud integration

The smartphone-integrated tool is not only fast at measurement; its value is further enhanced by cloud integration. Uploading on-site data to the cloud enables all stakeholders to share information regardless of location.

For example, if the volume measured on site is uploaded to an internal shared site via the cloud immediately after measurement, headquarters or members at other sites can view the data instantly. Since 3D point cloud models, photos of measurement locations, and calculated volume figures can be checked on the cloud, stakeholders can grasp the situation remotely with a sense of presence. This accelerates reporting to the site representative or supervisors, and allows them to promptly give instructions or make additional decisions as needed.

Accumulating data in the cloud also makes it easy to manage daily progress data in a time series. For example, if you scan excavation locations and record volumes each day at the end of work, the cloud will display the trend of as-built conditions. When verifying questions such as “when and how much earth was removed” or “how far have we progressed relative to design quantities,” having well-organized cloud data makes review tasks smooth.

Of course, cloud uploads are optional based on needs. Sensitive data can be kept local, while information that needs sharing can be safely shared with a click. This removes the hassle of exchanging paper documents or USB drives, and makes “measure on site and share immediately” the norm. This is another major benefit that supports on-site DX.

Effects the smartphone surveying tool brings to the field

Introducing a smartphone-integrated surveying tool brings various effects to civil construction management sites. Below are the main effects summarized.

• Optimization of construction planning: Because earth volume data can be acquired instantly, construction plans and heavy machinery deployment can be adjusted on the spot. For example, if excavation exceeds the plan, additional truck arrangements can be made promptly.

• Prevention of mistakes and rework: Visual on-site confirmation of discrepancies between design drawings and current conditions prevents over-excavation or over-filling. Mistakes that previously were only discovered during as-built inspections can be corrected immediately through real-time measurement, reducing rework and contributing to cost savings and shorter schedules.

• Smoother communication: Sharing digital 3D data and AR displays speeds up information exchange between the site, office, and clients. A picture is worth a thousand words; visual data enables faster consensus than reports consisting of text and numbers alone. Objective data also facilitates smoother progress assessments and inspections.

• Technical succession and human resource development: Because surveying can be done with simple smartphone-based operations, young staff and newcomers can be entrusted with on-site measurements. The tool compensates for aspects that previously relied on veteran experience, helping to reduce dependency on individuals. Even without experienced personnel, a certain level of surveying quality can be maintained, addressing labor shortages.

• Improved safety: Dangerous slopes or deep excavations can be measured remotely and without contact. Traditional surveying in poor footing conditions carried risks, but smartphone surveying removes the need for dangerous postures. AR displays can also highlight hazardous areas, contributing to site safety management.

Thus, smartphone-integrated tools that allow on-site earthworks volume calculation not only streamline measurement tasks but also have positive ripple effects across construction management. Real-time access to accurate data speeds up site decision-making and improves overall productivity and safety. They can truly be called a “trump card” for on-site DX.

Simple surveying with LRTK

As an example of such an innovative smartphone surveying tool, there is simple surveying using LRTK. LRTK is a system developed by Reflexia Co., Ltd. that consists of a smartphone-integrated high-precision GNSS receiver and cloud services, designed for use with iPhone and Android smartphones. Using the dedicated LRTK app, you can perform 3D scans and positioning on site, enabling anyone to perform precise earthworks volume calculations in a short time.

With LRTK, there is no need to carry a heavy total station; surveying is completed with a palm-sized device. For example, to measure the volume of fill or backfill, simply walk around the target while scanning with a smartphone equipped with LRTK, and cubic meters (m^3) will be calculated on the spot. Measurement results can be checked immediately on the smartphone screen and synchronized to the cloud with a single button for internal sharing. The major strength is that site staff can obtain and utilize necessary data without waiting for a specialist surveying team.

LRTK surveying is also designed to be easy for first-time users. The app displays Japanese-language instructions and guides for each surveying mode, so those who are not good with machines can use it with confidence. If you encounter difficulties on site, remote supervisors or technicians can view cloud data and provide advice, ensuring solid support.

If you are looking for a “tool that can calculate earthworks volume on site,” simple surveying with LRTK is a strong option. For sites aiming to streamline and save labor in earthworks, smartphone surveying using the latest technology is now indispensable. Consider trying it on your site.

FAQ

Q: What exactly is a smartphone-integrated earthworks volume calculation tool?

A: It is a system in which a small, high-precision positioning unit is attached to a smartphone and a dedicated app is used to calculate earthworks volume. It dramatically improves a smartphone’s GPS accuracy and automatically calculates volumes from 3D data captured by the camera and LiDAR. In short, the smartphone itself becomes a precise surveying instrument.

Q: Can people without surveying expertise use it?

A: Yes. It is designed to be usable by anyone. Measurements are completed simply by following the app’s on-screen instructions, so even those with limited experience need not worry. The tool handles complex settings and calculations automatically, so users only need to review results. It is intuitive enough to start using without lengthy training.

Q: How accurate are the measurements?

A: Using GNSS RTK, under ideal conditions planar positioning of ±2〜3 cm (±0.8〜1.2 in) can be expected, and vertical accuracy is also on the order of a few centimeters (cm level accuracy (half-inch accuracy)). In actual field conditions, you can grasp earth volume with centimeter-level accuracy, comparable to traditional surveying instruments.

Q: What are the advantages compared to drone surveying?

A: The smartphone-integrated tool is more convenient and can be used immediately by anyone on site, which is an advantage over drones. It is not subject to flight permissions or weather constraints and can be used routinely on small sites. Its real-time results allow immediate reflection in construction work. However, drones can be more efficient for surveying very large areas, so the two methods can be used complementarily depending on the application.

Q: How can measurement data be stored and shared?

A: After measurement, data is saved on the smartphone and can be uploaded to the cloud as needed. If saved to the cloud, point cloud data and measurement results can be viewed from an office PC via a browser or shared with stakeholders through links. Data can also be exported in formats such as 3D models or CSV, making it usable for internal reporting or further analysis with other software.