VI. a. Problem posed
We now know where the construction site and the best borrow site are spatially located. Let's use the attributes of the sites and tools within the GIS to solve a problem encountered often in geotechnical engineering practice.
In this exercise, you will:
  • Use the "Identify" tool to determine attributes of the sites.
  • Use the "Measure" tool to determine a better estimate of the haul distance.
  • Calculate the cost for the project to buy the soil and to deliver it to the site.

Problem to be solved:
If the delivery cost is based on the haul distance as shown in Table 1 below, what is the estimated cost to deliver the required amount of material to the construction site if the truck used can haul 15 ton per trip? Use the amount of material needed as shown in the attribute table for the project and the material cost as shown in the attribute table for the borrow site selected. (Neglect any shrink/swell that may occur in the process and assume that 1 cubic yard of the soil weighs 1.62 tons.)

Table 1: Haul Distance vs. Haul Cost
Distance (Miles) Cost/Distance ($/Mile)
0-10 22
10-20 17
20-30 15
30-40 14