Construction Material Calculator Guide
Material Logistics
Calculating material needs is only half the battle. You also need to figure out how to get it there and where to put it.
Volume vs. Weight
Volume (Space): Will it fit in the truck bed?
Weight (Load): Will it break the truck's suspension?
A pickup truck might hold 2 cubic yards of mulch (volume), but if you fill it with 2 cubic yards of gravel (weight), you will destroy the axle.
Weights & Measures
Aggregates (Approx.)
- Sand: 2,700 lbs per cubic yard.
- Gravel: 2,500 - 2,900 lbs per cubic yard.
- Topsoil: 2,000 - 2,500 lbs per cubic yard.
Truck Capacities
- Pickup (1/2 Ton): ~1,500 lbs payload.
- Dump Truck (Standard): ~10-14 cubic yards.