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Estimate how many terraces the field needs, how many meters of terrace, and how much soil is moved, based on slope.
Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.
Technical responsibility. This calculator is under verification. The reference values and examples are hypothetical, to illustrate the calculation, and are not technical references. The user is responsible for the data entered, the choice of parameters, and the use of the results, and must validate them with a qualified professional before any decision, purchase, application, or construction work.
Field profile with the proposed terraces and a terrace section. Diagram not to scale: slope and height exaggerated for easier reading.
How many terraces the field needs at each vertical spacing; the highlighted bar is your value.
Meters of terrace in the field at each spacing; the point is your spacing.
Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.
Terraces, length and earthwork volume for spacings of 0.6 to 1.5 m, with the area and height you entered.
The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.
The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.
Enter the field area, the length along the slope, the average gradient, the vertical spacing for your region, and the terrace dimensions. The calculator estimates the number of terraces, the total length, and the earth volume.
Field plot of 20 ha, 400 m long on the slope, 6% grade, 1.0 m vertical spacing, terrace 0.4 m high, 4 m base and 1 m top.
Height difference = 400 × 6 ÷ 100 = 24 m. Terraces ≈ 24 ÷ 1.0 = 24 terraces. Length = 200,000 ÷ 1.0 = 200,000 m. Section = 0.4 × (4 + 1) ÷ 2 = 1 m². Volume = 1 × 200,000 = 200,000 m³.
Because it sets how many terraces fit on the slope. It depends on the slope, soil type and the region's rainfall, and it must come from a technical reference.
No. It estimates quantities for budgeting and planning. The design, with a topographic survey, is the work of an engineer or agronomist.
Yes, because it reduces water speed and soil loss. But the field also needs properly sized water outlets, which are not included here.
With a topographic survey, level or precision GPS. The average in the direction of the slope is the value that goes into the calculation.
Important notice: the Agrocalcs tools make estimates and preliminary sizing based on the data entered and on published engineering methods. They do not replace a design, a calculation report or a report signed by a qualified professional (CREA/ART), nor verification against the applicable technical standards and legislation, such as the Regulatory Standards of the Ministry of Labor. Material and fuel properties vary: check with the manufacturer or with analyses of your process before deciding. By using the site, you agree to the Terms of Use.
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