How to Figure Concrete Yardage
Familiarize yourself with how concrete volume is measured., Break your concrete project up into different rectangular prisms., Calculate the volume of each prism., Convert all measurements to the same units., Find the volume of the prism using the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Familiarize yourself with how concrete volume is measured.
Concrete's volume (the amount of physical space it takes up) is typically measured in either cubic yards (yds3) or cubic meters (m3).
A cubic yard is a 3-dimensional cube that is 3 feet long in each dimension, while a cubic meter is a cube that is 1 meter long in each dimension.
Typically, bags of dry concrete mix will specify the volume of "wet" concrete each bag will make when properly mixed with water.
Below are rough estimates for how many bags of dry concrete mix it takes to make one cubic meter of wet concrete:40 kg bag: 56 bags to make 1 cubic meter 32 kg bag: 71 " " " 1 cubic meter 26 kg bag: 86 " " " 1 cubic meter -
Step 2: Break your concrete project up into different rectangular prisms.
Compared to other 3-D shapes, a rectangular prism's volume is relatively easy to calculate, so, if possible, it is best to break your entire project up into one or more rectangular prisms.
For example, if your project calls for you to pour a single rectangular slab-on-grade, that slab would be your only prism.
However, if you need to pour a slab along with 4 straight walls, each wall would be its own prism, resulting in a total of 5 prisms.
A rectangular prism is a three-dimensional shape with six faces, all of which are rectangles; opposite faces in a rectangular prism are parallel to each other.In layman's terms, a rectangular prism can be thought of as any "boxy" shape with straight edges. , A rectangular prism's volume can be found by multiplying its length times its width times its height.
For example, in the next few steps, let's imagine that we're pouring a slab that is 10 feet (3.05 m) long, 12 feet wide (3.66 m), and 4 inches (10.16 cm) deep. , Our slab's length and width are given in feet and meters, but its height is given in inches and centimeters.
For our volume equation to work, all measurements must be in the same units, so we must convert.
Since there are 12 inches per foot, we should divide our inch value by 12 to get a value for feet.
The slab is 4 / 12 =
0.33 feet deep.
To convert from centimeters to meters, simply divide a centimeter value by
100.
A slab that is
10.16 cm deep is
10.16 / 100 =
0.10 meters deep.
To convert back to centimeters, multiply by
100. , Multiply the 3 dimensions together to arrive at the prism's volume.
In our example, the slab's volume is 10 ft × 12 ft ×
0.33 ft =
39.6 cubic feet.
To find the metric equivalent, we use our meter measurements instead of our feet measurements.
3.05 m ×
3.66 m ×
0.10 m =
1.12 cubic meters. , The slab's volume above is expressed as
39.6 cubic feet, but, unfortunately, concrete is usually measured in cubic yards.
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, so, to convert to cubic yards, we can divide by our cubic feet value by
27.
The slab's volume is
39.6 / 27 =
1.47 cubic yards.
Alternatively, since there are three feet in a yard, you can divide each individual foot measurement by 3 to get yard values and then multiply these together to get the same answer.
Concrete is also often measured in cubic meters.
In our example problem, we already found this value.
However, in the case that you need to convert between cubic yards and cubic meters, know that: 1 cubic yard =
0.764554858 cubic meters 1 cubic meter =
1.30795062 cubic yards , If you have more than one prism in your concrete pour, calculate each one's volume individually using the above method.
Finally, add all of the volumes together to arrive at your total volume for your project.
Be careful that none of your prisms overlap, or you will end up counting some of the concrete twice, which can lead to you buying more than you need. , Not every concrete job can be easily split up into rectangular prisms.
If you have a spread footing in your concrete design, for example, you can't accurately approximate its shape using rectangular prisms.
To find the volume of an irregular form, first find the area of a cross-section of the form.
Then, multiply that area times the length of the form.
For example, if a spread footing is 3 yards (2.74 m) long and has a cross-sectional area of
0.25 square yards (0.21 square meters), then the volume is 3 ×
0.25 =
0.75 cubic yards (or
2.74 ×
0.21 =
0.58 cubic meters).
Additionally, some common non-rectangular shapes have convenient equations to find their volume.
Below are a few of the most common:
Cylinders:
Volume = (Pi)r2 × h, where "r" is the radius of the circle at either end of the cylinder and "h" is the height of the cylinder.
Triangular Prisms :
Volume = 1/2bh1 × l, where "b" is the length of the base of one of the triangular faces, "h1" is its height, and "l" is the length of the prism.
Spheres:
Volume = (4/3)(Pi)r3, where "r" is the radius of the circle that represents the sphere's circumference.
While it's unlikely that you'll ever have to pour a perfect sphere, note that many dome-like shapes are just spheres cut in half. , A good rule of thumb is to add 5 to 10 percent to your figured volume to account for spillage, waste, or over-excavation.
Because you can't reasonably expect to use your concrete with 100 percent efficiency, be sure to order more than you actually need.
For instance, if you have figured a total volume of 20 cubic yards (15.3 cubic meters), then you should order
1.05 × 20 = 21 cubic yards (or
1.05 ×
15.3 =
16.1 cubic meters).
If you are pouring steel-reinforced concrete, the steel reinforcing will displace some of your concrete's volume.
Usually, you don't need to consider this in your calculations.
This will keep your figures on the conservative side. , Truck-mixed concrete is sold by volume, but bags of concrete mix are sold in retail establishments by weight.
Often, dry mix will have information on the bag indicating the "wet" weight or volume each bag produces.
Concrete weighs about 4000 pounds per cubic yard (2400 kg per cubic meter).
So, if you need 2 cubic yards (1.53 cubic meters) of concrete, then you need (2 * 4000) or 8000 pounds, or (1.53 * 2400) or 3672 kg of concrete.
As noted above, buying more dry concrete mix than is needed is usually much safer than buying less concrete mix than is needed
- unused mix can always be used in the future. -
Step 3: Calculate the volume of each prism.
-
Step 4: Convert all measurements to the same units.
-
Step 5: Find the volume of the prism using the formula: Volume = Length * Width * Height.
-
Step 6: Convert the volume into cubic yards or cubic meters as needed.
-
Step 7: Find additional prism volumes as above.
-
Step 8: Calculate the volume of any irregularly-shaped forms.
-
Step 9: Buy a little more concrete than you need.
-
Step 10: Convert your volume figure to weight
-
Step 11: if necessary.
Detailed Guide
Concrete's volume (the amount of physical space it takes up) is typically measured in either cubic yards (yds3) or cubic meters (m3).
A cubic yard is a 3-dimensional cube that is 3 feet long in each dimension, while a cubic meter is a cube that is 1 meter long in each dimension.
Typically, bags of dry concrete mix will specify the volume of "wet" concrete each bag will make when properly mixed with water.
Below are rough estimates for how many bags of dry concrete mix it takes to make one cubic meter of wet concrete:40 kg bag: 56 bags to make 1 cubic meter 32 kg bag: 71 " " " 1 cubic meter 26 kg bag: 86 " " " 1 cubic meter
Compared to other 3-D shapes, a rectangular prism's volume is relatively easy to calculate, so, if possible, it is best to break your entire project up into one or more rectangular prisms.
For example, if your project calls for you to pour a single rectangular slab-on-grade, that slab would be your only prism.
However, if you need to pour a slab along with 4 straight walls, each wall would be its own prism, resulting in a total of 5 prisms.
A rectangular prism is a three-dimensional shape with six faces, all of which are rectangles; opposite faces in a rectangular prism are parallel to each other.In layman's terms, a rectangular prism can be thought of as any "boxy" shape with straight edges. , A rectangular prism's volume can be found by multiplying its length times its width times its height.
For example, in the next few steps, let's imagine that we're pouring a slab that is 10 feet (3.05 m) long, 12 feet wide (3.66 m), and 4 inches (10.16 cm) deep. , Our slab's length and width are given in feet and meters, but its height is given in inches and centimeters.
For our volume equation to work, all measurements must be in the same units, so we must convert.
Since there are 12 inches per foot, we should divide our inch value by 12 to get a value for feet.
The slab is 4 / 12 =
0.33 feet deep.
To convert from centimeters to meters, simply divide a centimeter value by
100.
A slab that is
10.16 cm deep is
10.16 / 100 =
0.10 meters deep.
To convert back to centimeters, multiply by
100. , Multiply the 3 dimensions together to arrive at the prism's volume.
In our example, the slab's volume is 10 ft × 12 ft ×
0.33 ft =
39.6 cubic feet.
To find the metric equivalent, we use our meter measurements instead of our feet measurements.
3.05 m ×
3.66 m ×
0.10 m =
1.12 cubic meters. , The slab's volume above is expressed as
39.6 cubic feet, but, unfortunately, concrete is usually measured in cubic yards.
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, so, to convert to cubic yards, we can divide by our cubic feet value by
27.
The slab's volume is
39.6 / 27 =
1.47 cubic yards.
Alternatively, since there are three feet in a yard, you can divide each individual foot measurement by 3 to get yard values and then multiply these together to get the same answer.
Concrete is also often measured in cubic meters.
In our example problem, we already found this value.
However, in the case that you need to convert between cubic yards and cubic meters, know that: 1 cubic yard =
0.764554858 cubic meters 1 cubic meter =
1.30795062 cubic yards , If you have more than one prism in your concrete pour, calculate each one's volume individually using the above method.
Finally, add all of the volumes together to arrive at your total volume for your project.
Be careful that none of your prisms overlap, or you will end up counting some of the concrete twice, which can lead to you buying more than you need. , Not every concrete job can be easily split up into rectangular prisms.
If you have a spread footing in your concrete design, for example, you can't accurately approximate its shape using rectangular prisms.
To find the volume of an irregular form, first find the area of a cross-section of the form.
Then, multiply that area times the length of the form.
For example, if a spread footing is 3 yards (2.74 m) long and has a cross-sectional area of
0.25 square yards (0.21 square meters), then the volume is 3 ×
0.25 =
0.75 cubic yards (or
2.74 ×
0.21 =
0.58 cubic meters).
Additionally, some common non-rectangular shapes have convenient equations to find their volume.
Below are a few of the most common:
Cylinders:
Volume = (Pi)r2 × h, where "r" is the radius of the circle at either end of the cylinder and "h" is the height of the cylinder.
Triangular Prisms :
Volume = 1/2bh1 × l, where "b" is the length of the base of one of the triangular faces, "h1" is its height, and "l" is the length of the prism.
Spheres:
Volume = (4/3)(Pi)r3, where "r" is the radius of the circle that represents the sphere's circumference.
While it's unlikely that you'll ever have to pour a perfect sphere, note that many dome-like shapes are just spheres cut in half. , A good rule of thumb is to add 5 to 10 percent to your figured volume to account for spillage, waste, or over-excavation.
Because you can't reasonably expect to use your concrete with 100 percent efficiency, be sure to order more than you actually need.
For instance, if you have figured a total volume of 20 cubic yards (15.3 cubic meters), then you should order
1.05 × 20 = 21 cubic yards (or
1.05 ×
15.3 =
16.1 cubic meters).
If you are pouring steel-reinforced concrete, the steel reinforcing will displace some of your concrete's volume.
Usually, you don't need to consider this in your calculations.
This will keep your figures on the conservative side. , Truck-mixed concrete is sold by volume, but bags of concrete mix are sold in retail establishments by weight.
Often, dry mix will have information on the bag indicating the "wet" weight or volume each bag produces.
Concrete weighs about 4000 pounds per cubic yard (2400 kg per cubic meter).
So, if you need 2 cubic yards (1.53 cubic meters) of concrete, then you need (2 * 4000) or 8000 pounds, or (1.53 * 2400) or 3672 kg of concrete.
As noted above, buying more dry concrete mix than is needed is usually much safer than buying less concrete mix than is needed
- unused mix can always be used in the future.
About the Author
Richard Green
Richard Green has dedicated 2 years to mastering engineering and technical solutions. As a content creator, Richard focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
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