How To Work Out Volume Of Concrete Needed For Your Project
No matter your project, when ordering concrete you will want to make sure that you order the perfect amount. Too much of the material and you have spent money unnecessarily, and too little can cause complications when pouring and moving on to the next steps. But how do you work out how much concrete you need?
At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we are the concrete experts on the South Coast. Whether you are trying to work out which concrete design mix you will need or how much, we will be able to help. Having worked in the industry for a combined 25 years, we are walking encyclopaedias for the material.
In this blog, we share how you can work out how much concrete you will need for your domestic or commercial project.
Measurements Used In Concrete
When ordering concrete, you will usually be ordering it in cubic metres (m³). Therefore, when you are measuring your area, we would recommend that you measure it in metres. That way, you will avoid needing to convert your measurement into the measurement that we work in.
Trust us when we say this will spare you lots of confusion.
What Are You Measuring?
The simple answer to this question is that you will be measuring the space you need to fill with concrete.
The calculations will work out the volume of concrete you need for your space. This will ensure that we will produce the right amount for your project, meaning we won’t waste materials or products, and you won’t face a disposal charge.
How Do I Work Out How Much Concrete I Need?
As you will have guessed, there is a little bit of maths to work out how much concrete you need.
If you have a simple square or rectangle area, this is an easy calculation.
The equation you need to complete is:
Width x Length x Depth
You will need to measure one side across, then one side up and finally, the depth of the space.
Then times them together, and you will have your answer.
TIP: Don’t forget to measure in metres!
Square Example
Sometimes it is easier to see as an example.
If your area is 5m in length, 8m in width and then 0.1016m in depth, you will simply do:
5 x 8 x 0.1016 = 4.064m³
Calculate Concrete Volume For Circles
Of course, not every project is going to be a square. So, how did you calculate the amount of concrete you need for a circle?
First of all, you need to calculate the diameter (the full width of the circle through the middle) and depth of the space.
Then you will need to measure the radius (half the diameter). For this, you will just need to divide the diameter by two.
Using these measurements you will need to follow this equation:
V = πr²2H
This simply means you need times pi (3.412) x radius squared x height.
Calculating Concrete Volume For Triangles
Not quite as common, but still worth mentioning is how to work out the volume of concrete for a triangle.
This isn’t as complicated as working it out for a circle, but isn’t as simple as a square.
You will need to measure the length of the base of the triangle in metres first. Then measure the height of the triangle (from the base to the point). Times these together and divide that answer by two.
The equation is:
Length x Height / 2
Calculating Concrete Volume For Non-Standard Shapes
We know that not all projects fall into these three shapes. Calculating concrete volumes for irregular shapes will mean you might have to combine the use of these equations.
For example, if you have a square section with two semi-circles, you can use the simple square and circle equations and add the answers together.
Our Experts Are Here To Help
Don’t worry if this has left you feeling slightly confused and overwhelmed. Maths isn’t everyone's strong suit, and when you’re not sure what shapes to use, trying to work out how much concrete you need can just get frustrating.
Our experts have poured and pumped concrete into all shapes and sizes and know how to work out the perfect volume for whatever shape you throw at them.
We can offer a site visit where one of our specialists can come to your site and talk you through the best way to calculate the volume needed.
While on this visit, we can also recommend the best way to get concrete to your site. Our pumping services enable you to easily and efficiently get concrete where you need it, going through or over obstacles that might be in the way. This can save you time, energy and money.
Not to mention that our volumetric concrete trucks and boom or line pumps work together, meaning we can provide an all-in-one service that is hassle-free.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss your project and get our expertise and advice.
Call us on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
