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
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Level 6 Design, Construction and Management BSc
CIOB launches first-ever degree programme to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
Open for business as of April, with its 2026 prospectus and new pipeline of housing schemes.
The operational value of workforce health
Keeping projects moving. Incorporating unplanned absence and the importance of health, in operations.
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.






















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.