Mass haul movement
Construction works, particularly large civil engineering works, can involve very significant movements of material to excavate, fill and generally change the levels of the site or sites.
A mass haul movement is the movement of excavated material from where it arises to where it is to be used, treated or disposed of. This movement may be undertaken by railway, by road or it may be within the construction area of the project itself. Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, Glossary of terms and list of abbreviations, DETR 2013.
The term ‘mass haul’ refers to the volume of material moved multiplied by the distance it is moved.
Mass haul diagrams give a graphical view of the material moved, showing balance points (where the cut and fill volumes are equal), free haul and overhaul regions, and grade points (the highest and lowest points). These can be used to compare alternative proposals, and to give a clearer understanding of overall material movements.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Earthworks.
- Excavation.
- Fleet operator.
- Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme.
- Glossary of paving terms.
- Haul road.
- Levelling.
- Logistics.
- Overview of the road development process.
- Pavement.
- Road construction.
- Road improvement scheme consultation.
- Site haul route.
- Site layout plan.
- Types of road and street.
Featured articles and news
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherit assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.