TrenchCalc Documentation
Complete guides and tutorials to help you get the most out of TrenchCalc
Getting Started
Quick Start Guide
Welcome to TrenchCalc! This guide will help you get started with your first trench calculations in minutes.
Step 1: Install the App
Download TrenchCalc from the Google Play Store and install it on your Android device.
Step 2: Create Your First Project
- Open TrenchCalc
- Tap the "+" button to create a new project
- Enter a project name (e.g., "Main Street Trench")
Step 3: Enter Trench Dimensions
Enter your trench dimensions:
- Length: Total length of the trench
- Depth: Depth from ground surface
- Base Width: Width at the bottom
- Top Width: Width at the surface (for trapezoidal trenches)
Installation
System Requirements
- Android 8.0 (API level 26) or higher
- Minimum 2GB RAM
- Storage space: 100MB minimum
- Internet connection required for cloud sync and premium features
Installing from Google Play
- Open Google Play Store on your device
- Search for "TrenchCalc"
- Tap "Install"
- Wait for installation to complete
- Open the app and sign in or create an account
Your First Calculations
Basic Trench Volume
To calculate a simple rectangular trench volume:
- Open the app and create a new project
- Go to the "Dimensions" tab
- Enter:
- Length: 100 meters
- Depth: 2 meters
- Base Width: 1.5 meters
- Tap "Calculate"
- View your results in the "Results" tab
Understanding Results
The results screen shows:
- Volume: Total trench volume in cubic meters or cubic yards
- Area: Cross-sectional area
- Perimeter: Trench perimeter measurements
- Material Required: Based on selected fill type
Trench Calculations
Basic Dimensions
TrenchCalc supports multiple trench configurations:
Rectangular Trench
Simple rectangular cross-section with uniform width
Trapezoidal Trench
Tapered sides with different base and top widths
Stepped Trench
Multiple levels with different widths at each step
Benched Trench
Horizontal benches for stability in deep excavations
Multi-Zone Calculations
TrenchCalc allows you to define multiple zones within a single trench:
- Foundation Zone: Base layer with specific material
- Bed Zone: Main trench bed
- Haunch Zone: Side support areas
- Side Fill Zone: Backfill material
- Overlay Zone: Surface layer
Complete Tab Features Guide
TrenchCalc organizes features into 14 tabs across two sections: "Setup Trench" and "Plan & Manage". Tabs are organized by subscription tier, with some features requiring Basic, Premium, or MAX plans.
Tab Organization
Setup Trench Section
Basic, Fill, Cement, Wall, Culverts, Geofabric, Shoring
Plan & Manage Section
Spoil, Testing, Planner, Diary, Survey, Photos, Punchlist
Free Tier Tabs
1. Basic Tab - "Change Trench Size"
Features:
- Set trench depth, length, and base width
- Supports both metric (m) and imperial (ft) units
- Real-time diagram visualization
- Input validation and safety checks
- Wizard mode for guided setup
This is your starting point. Enter the fundamental dimensions of your trench to begin calculations.
2. Fill Tab - "Change Fill Type"
Features:
- Select fill material (preset or custom)
- Configure material density (kg/m³ or lb/ft³)
- Set compaction factor
- Enable zone-based fill configuration
- Configure bedding depth and overlay depth
- Supports multiple fill zones: bed, haunch, side, overlay, gap, general
- Real-time volume calculations
Define what material will fill your trench. You can assign different materials to different zones for complex projects.
3. Wall Tab - "Add Benching / Battering"
Features:
- Three wall types: Vertical, Benched, Battered
- Configure bench step height (for benched walls)
- Set batter slope ratio H:V (for battered walls)
- Temporary ramp configuration
- Ramp volume calculations
- Visual diagram showing wall configuration
Choose how your trench walls are configured. Vertical walls are simplest, while benched or battered walls provide stability for deeper excavations.
Basic Tier Tabs
4. Cement Tab - "+ Add Cement"
Features:
- Cement percentage slider (0-20%)
- Per-zone cement application (if zones enabled)
- UCS (Unconfined Compressive Strength) calculation
- Water/cement ratio configuration
- Flowable fill calculations
- Weather advisory integration
- Cement mass and volume displays
- Custom soil type selection for UCS
5. Culverts Tab - "+ Add Culverts"
Features:
- Circular or box culvert shapes
- Configure culvert count
- Set diameter (circular) or width/height (box)
- Configure spacing between culverts
- Set distance to walls
- Fit validation (warns if culverts don't fit trench)
- Visual diagram with culvert placement
- Supports multiple culverts with spacing calculations
Premium Tier Tabs
6. Spoil Tab - "Manage Spoil"
Features:
- Calculate spoil volume from excavation
- Configure spoil pile dimensions (angle, height, base width, toe distance)
- Split spoil evenly on both sides option
- Display metrics:
- Volume per side
- Base width
- Height
- Centre from trench
- Total spoil volume
- Visual diagram showing spoil pile placement
- Help tooltips for each metric
Plan where excavated material will be stored. The app calculates spoil pile dimensions based on your trench volume.
7. Testing Tab - "Soil Testing"
Features:
- Configure compaction testing requirements
- PSD (Particle Size Distribution) testing setup
- Test volume calculations
- Integration with planner for test scheduling
- Foundation test configuration
- Test frequency settings (per lift, per zone)
- Warning if culverts don't fit (affects test accuracy)
Plan your quality control testing schedule. The app calculates how many tests you need based on volume and zone configuration.
8. Planner Tab - "Construction Planner"
Features:
- Project timeline estimation
- Cost estimation and breakdown
- Material cost tracking
- Productivity calculations
- Culvert installation rate configuration
- Mobilization/demobilization costs
- Overhead and contingency calculations
- Profit margin settings
- Project save/load functionality
- Multiple project management
- Cost template system
- Duration breakdown (by activity)
- Cost comparison between projects
- Export capabilities (CSV, share)
Your complete project management tool. Estimate costs, timelines, and manage multiple projects with professional reporting.
9. Diary Tab - "Site Diary (Beta)"
Features:
- AI-powered diary entry generation
- Voice input transcription
- Project-based organization
- Location and date tracking
- Multiple writing styles (paragraph, bullet points)
- Integration with voice transcription service
- Date-based diary organization
10. Geofabric Tab - "Geofabric Lining"
Features:
- Calculate geofabric surface area requirements
- Roll size configuration (preset or custom)
- Overlap configuration between rolls
- Wastage percentage settings
- Include/exclude base and walls options
- Calculate number of rolls required
- Total linear meters calculation
- Cost estimation (price per roll)
- Installation method recommendations (spanning vs per-side)
- Supports all wall types (vertical, battered, benched)
- Visual warnings for coverage issues
Calculate exactly how much geofabric you need, accounting for overlaps and wastage.
11. Shoring Tab - "Trench Shoring"
Features:
- Soil type classification (Type A, B, C)
- Protective system selection (shoring, shielding, sloping)
- Region selection (OSHA, Western Australia)
- Shoring member type (aluminum, timber, steel)
- Depth-based shoring requirements
- Shoring specifications calculator
- Safety checklist system
- Multi-user inspection tracking
- Team member collaboration
- Shore ID tracking
- Inspection history
- Compliance verification
Plan and track shoring installations with regulatory compliance. Supports OSHA and Western Australia standards.
12. Survey Tab - "Site Survey"
Features:
- LiDAR scanning for volume measurement
- Photogrammetry processing (photo-based 3D)
- AR camera integration for scanning
- Point cloud processing
- Volume calculation for stock piles and spoil piles
- Scan quality metrics
- On-device processing
- Cloud processing for photogrammetry
- Measurement history
- Comparison between LiDAR and photogrammetry results
- GPS tagging for measurements
- ML consent for data contribution
13. Photos Tab - "Photo Documentation"
Features:
- Camera capture with GPS tagging
- Gallery import (single or multiple)
- Photo organization by projects
- Tagging system (28 pre-built tags + custom tags)
- AI photo enhancement:
- Deblur
- Brighten
- Sharpen
- Face blur
- People removal
- Before/after comparison
- S3 cloud storage
- Thumbnail generation
- Filtering and search
- Photo detail viewer
- Annotation capabilities
- Batch operations
- OSHA-compliant reporting
- Project-based organization
Organize and enhance your project photos with AI-powered tools. Perfect for documentation and compliance reporting.
MAX Tier Tabs
14. Punchlist Tab - "Voice Punchlist"
Features:
- Voice-first issue reporting
- Photo capture (required for each item)
- Voice annotation with transcription
- Priority levels (Low, Medium, High, Critical)
- Status workflow (Open → In Progress → Completed → Verified)
- Team assignment and collaboration
- Due date tracking
- Tag system for categorization
- Comments and discussion threads
- GPS location tagging
- Overdue detection
- Filter and sort options
- Real-time team updates
- Project-based organization
Report and track issues on-site using voice commands. Each punchlist item requires a photo for documentation.
Tab Locking System
Tabs are locked based on your subscription tier:
- Free tabs: Always accessible (Basic, Fill, Wall)
- Basic tier: Adds Cement and Culverts tabs
- Premium tier: Unlocks all tabs except Punchlist
- MAX tier: Full access to all 14 tabs
Locked tabs show a lock icon and require login or upgrade to access.
Special Features Across Tabs
- Culvert Fit Validation: Testing, Spoil, and Planner tabs warn if culverts don't fit trench dimensions
- Zone-Based Configuration: Fill, Cement, and Culverts tabs support zone-based setup when zones are enabled
- Real-time Calculations: All tabs update calculations immediately on input changes
- Visual Diagrams: Most tabs include real-time visual representations
- Unit Conversion: All tabs support metric and imperial units
Cement Stabilization
Overview
Cement stabilization is used to improve soil strength and durability. TrenchCalc helps you calculate the required cement content and predict strength gains.
Calculating Cement Requirements
- Navigate to the "Cement" tab
- Select your soil type (clay, sand, gravel, etc.)
- Enter target UCS (Unconfined Compressive Strength)
- Specify cement content percentage
- View calculated cement requirements
UCS Predictions
TrenchCalc predicts UCS based on:
- Soil type and properties
- Cement content percentage
- Curing time (7-day and 28-day predictions)
- Material-specific coefficients (ASTM standards)
Mix Design
The app calculates:
- Dry soil weight required
- Cement weight needed
- Water content for optimal compaction
- Total stabilized mix volume
Culvert Planning
Adding Culverts
Culvert planning helps you position pipes correctly within your trench:
- Go to the "Culverts" tab
- Tap "Add Culvert"
- Enter culvert diameter
- Set bedding depth (distance from trench bottom)
- Set cover depth (distance to surface)
- Specify spacing between multiple culverts
Spacing Calculations
TrenchCalc automatically calculates:
- Minimum spacing between culverts
- Bedding material requirements
- Cover depth compliance
- Volume adjustments (subtracts culvert volume from trench)
Project Management
Saving Projects
Save unlimited projects with complete configurations:
- After entering your trench data, tap the menu (three dots)
- Select "Save Project"
- Enter a project name
- Add optional notes or tags
- Tap "Save"
Loading Projects
Retrieve saved projects anytime:
- Go to the main project list
- Tap on any saved project
- All dimensions, materials, and settings are restored
Exporting Results
Export your calculations for documentation:
- PDF Export: Professional reports with all calculations and breakdowns
- CSV Export: Spreadsheet-compatible data for further analysis
- Share: Direct sharing via email or messaging apps
Photogrammetry
What is Photogrammetry?
Photogrammetry converts multiple photos into accurate 3D models. TrenchCalc uses this to create precise volume calculations from photos taken on-site.
Creating a Photogrammetry Scan
- Go to the "Site Survey" tab
- Tap "New Scan"
- Take 15-30 photos following the guidelines:
- Overlap photos by 60-80%
- Move around the trench in a circular pattern
- Keep phone level and steady
- Ensure good lighting
- Upload photos (processing happens in the cloud)
- Wait for processing (typically 5-10 minutes)
- View your 3D model and volume calculations
Photogrammetry Accuracy
TrenchCalc photogrammetry typically achieves:
- ±1-3cm accuracy for volume measurements
- DSM/DTM generation for terrain analysis
- Point cloud visualization in 3D
Photo Documentation
Organizing Photos
Keep your project photos organized with tags and GPS data:
- Go to the "Photos" tab
- Tap the camera icon to take a photo
- Add tags from the pre-built list (28+ options)
- Add custom notes if needed
- Photos are automatically tagged with GPS location
Photo Tags
Pre-built tags include:
- Excavation, Backfill, Compaction
- Culvert Installation, Bedding, Pipe
- Quality Control, Safety, Issues
- And many more...
AI Photo Enhancement
Premium plans include AI features:
- Deblur: Remove motion blur from photos
- Sharpen: Improve photo clarity
- Brighten: Adjust exposure for better visibility
- Face Blur: Automatically blur faces for privacy
AI Features
AI Diary Polish
Automatically improve your site diary entries:
- Grammar and spelling corrections
- Professional formatting
- Consistent terminology
- Clear, concise descriptions
People Removal
Remove people from photos for privacy and compliance:
- Select a photo in the Photos tab
- Tap "Remove People"
- AI identifies and removes people
- Save the edited photo
Team Collaboration
Voice Punchlist
Create punch lists using voice notes:
- Go to the "Voice Punchlist" tab
- Tap the microphone icon
- Speak your note (e.g., "Fix culvert spacing at station 100")
- Voice is converted to text automatically
- Assign to team members if needed
Team Sharing
Share projects with your team:
- Invite team members via email
- Set role-based permissions
- Real-time sync across devices
- Collaborative comments on projects
Best Practices
Accurate Measurements
- Always measure dimensions on-site when possible
- Use consistent units throughout a project
- Double-check critical dimensions
- Account for actual field conditions (not just design drawings)
Material Selection
- Choose materials that match your actual supply
- Update density values if using custom materials
- Consider compaction factors for accurate volume conversion
- Account for waste and over-excavation (typically 10-15%)
Project Organization
- Use descriptive project names
- Add notes for important decisions or changes
- Save frequently during complex calculations
- Export final results for documentation
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
App won't open or crashes
- Force close the app and restart it
- Clear app cache: Settings → Apps → TrenchCalc → Storage → Clear Cache
- Ensure you have the latest version from Play Store
- Restart your device
- Check available storage space
Calculations seem incorrect
- Double-check all input values
- Verify units are consistent (meters vs feet)
- Check material density values
- Review compaction factors
- Export project and review all inputs
Cloud sync not working
- Check internet connection
- Verify you're signed in
- Try signing out and back in
- Check app permissions for network access
Photos not uploading
- Check internet connection
- Verify photo file size (try smaller photos)
- Check available storage
- Ensure app has photo permissions
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the calculations?
TrenchCalc uses industry-standard formulas (ASTM, ACI) for all calculations. Volume calculations are mathematically precise based on your inputs. For photogrammetry, accuracy is typically ±1-3cm.
Can I use TrenchCalc offline?
Yes! Core calculations work completely offline. Cloud sync, photogrammetry, and AI features require internet connection.
What units are supported?
TrenchCalc supports both metric (meters, kilograms) and imperial (feet, pounds) units. You can switch between them in settings.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Subscriptions are managed through Google Play Store. Go to Play Store → Subscriptions → TrenchCalc → Cancel. You'll keep access until the end of your billing period.
Can I export my data?
Yes! You can export projects as PDF reports or CSV files. PDFs include all calculations and breakdowns. CSV files contain raw data for spreadsheet analysis.
What's the difference between Free, Basic, Premium, and MAX plans?
See the Pricing page for a complete comparison. Free includes basic calculations. Premium adds AI features, photogrammetry, and advanced planning. MAX includes everything with higher limits.