Excavation rates for estimating labour and equipment requirements for foundation and trench excavation in Indian construction. Rates depend on soil type, depth of excavation, method (manual or machine), and site conditions. IS 1200 Part 1 covers measurement methodology for earthwork.
Manual Excavation Rates
Output per 8-hour day per worker (mazdoor). Based on CPWD/state PWD analysis of rates. Includes digging, throwing, and stacking within 5 m lead.
| Soil Type | Method | Rate | Depth Limit |
|---|
| Ordinary Soil (loose/soft) | Manual | 3.0–4.0 m³/day/worker | Up to 1.5 m |
| Ordinary Soil (loose/soft) | Manual | 2.5–3.0 m³/day/worker | 1.5 m to 3.0 m |
| Ordinary Soil (loose/soft) | Manual | 2.0–2.5 m³/day/worker | 3.0 m to 4.5 m |
| Hard Soil / Murrum | Manual | 2.0–3.0 m³/day/worker | Up to 1.5 m |
| Hard Soil / Murrum | Manual | 1.5–2.0 m³/day/worker | 1.5 m to 3.0 m |
| Sandy Soil | Manual | 3.5–4.5 m³/day/worker | Up to 1.5 m |
| Sandy Soil | Manual | 2.5–3.5 m³/day/worker | 1.5 m to 3.0 m |
| Marshy / Waterlogged Soil | Manual | 1.5–2.5 m³/day/worker | Up to 1.5 m |
| Soft Rock / Weathered Rock | Manual (with chisels) | 0.5–1.0 m³/day/worker | Up to 1.5 m |
| Hard Rock | Manual (not feasible) | N/A | N/A |
Machine Excavation Rates
Output per 8-hour shift for common excavation equipment. Actual output depends on bucket size, operator skill, and site access.
| Soil Type | Method | Rate | Depth Limit |
|---|
| Ordinary Soil | JCB / Backhoe Loader (0.25 m³ bucket) | 50–80 m³/day | Up to 4.0 m |
| Ordinary Soil | Hydraulic Excavator (0.9 m³ bucket) | 150–250 m³/day | Up to 6.0 m |
| Hard Soil / Murrum | JCB / Backhoe Loader | 30–50 m³/day | Up to 3.5 m |
| Hard Soil / Murrum | Hydraulic Excavator (0.9 m³ bucket) | 100–180 m³/day | Up to 6.0 m |
| Soft Rock | Rock Breaker (hydraulic) | 15–30 m³/day | Up to 3.0 m |
| Hard Rock | Rock Breaker (hydraulic) | 5–15 m³/day | Up to 3.0 m |
| Hard Rock | Controlled Blasting | 50–150 m³/day | Unlimited |
| Sandy Soil | JCB / Backhoe Loader | 60–90 m³/day | Up to 3.0 m |
Notes
• Bulking factor: Excavated soil occupies 20–30% more volume than in-situ soil. Ordinary soil bulks 25%, clay 30%, sand 15%, rock 40–60%.
• Pit excavation has lower output than trench excavation for the same depth due to restricted working space.
• Shoring and bracing is mandatory for trenches deeper than 1.5 m in ordinary soil per IS 3764 (Safety Code for Excavation Work).
• Dewatering: in high water table areas, add 15–25% extra cost for pumping and rate reduction due to wet working conditions.
• Measurement per IS 1200 Part 1: Excavation measured in m³ as per actual depth or specified depth, whichever is less. No extra payment for side sloping unless specified.
• Lead and lift: Output rates above assume 5 m lead and 1.5 m lift. For every additional 5 m lead, add 10% labour; for every additional 1.5 m lift, add 15% labour.
• Machine rates exclude mobilization/demobilization charges, which can be 5–10% of total machine cost for small sites.
• For tender estimation, use the lower end of output ranges (conservative) to avoid underestimation of time and cost.