How much aggregate do I need?

Posted 3 weeks ago

How much aggregate do I need?

When planning a new construction project, you probably ask yourself, how much aggregate do I need? Whether you’re working on a new driveway, a garden project or a construction site, learning how to calculate the amount of aggregate required is essential to be cost-effective and time-efficient.

In this guide, we will showcase the simple formulas and provide tips for accurate aggregate measures so you can answer the following project questions: how much aggregate do I need for concrete, and how much aggregate do I need for the patio?

Why is it important to know how much aggregate I need?

Knowing how much aggregate you need for your project is vital. Underestimating can increase costs and create delays because you will need to order twice. This could mean you have to pay delivery costs twice and there may be discounts for larger orders. It will also result in a project delay as you have to wait for the next aggregate delivery.

Ordering too much aggregate could mean you have spent more money than you needed to, and it can lead to waste. Waste aggregate could result in extra effort and costs for removal if required. Calculating the correct amount of aggregate will save you time, money and allow your project to be as smooth as possible.

To be even more cost-effective, consider our range of recycled aggregates that are sold at a fraction of the price of primary materials.

How do I calculate how much aggregate I need?

The first step is to understand the project you are working on. You will need to measure the area you want to cover and the depth required.

1. Measuring the area 

To calculate the area of your project, measure the length and width of the place you intend to put the aggregate. Multiply the length by the width to find out the area. You may need to partition the area to make it easier to calculate. This is particularly helpful if you have, for example, an L shape to work with. If the space for the aggregate is 10 metres long and 5 metres wide, the total area is 50 square metres.

• 10 x 5 = 50m2

2. Working out the depth required

This depends on the specific project. If you are working on a driveway or garden path, you will need 5-10cm of depth. This increases to 15cm if you are working on foundations.

3. Calculating the volume of aggregate

To calculate the volume, you will need to use the following formula: Volume = Area x Depth. It’s important to use the same units of measurement when working out the volume. If the depth required is 10cm, this will convert to 0.1 metres. Using the same example from above:

• Area = 50m2
• Depth = 0.1m
• Volume = 50m2 x 0.1m = 5 cubic metres

4. Working out the tonnage of aggregate

Aggregate is usually sold by weight rather than volume, so it needs converting to find out how much aggregate I need for the path or driveway. It does get a little bit complex here because different types of aggregates have different densities.

Generally, 1 cubic metre of aggregate is equal to approximately 1.5 tonnes. You will then need to do the following calculation using our example:

• Volume = 5 cubic metres
• Estimating 1 cubic metre = 1.5 tonnes
• 5m3 x 1.5 = 7.5 tonnes of aggregate

It’s always worth adding a buffer, especially when estimating how dense the aggregate is. It’s also worth noting that material can be lost during transport. Depending on your budget, adding a 10% buffer and rounding up where necessary is good practice. Using our example, we would recommend ordering 8.5 tonnes of aggregate. If you do have some wastage, consider skip hire or use a waste transfer station.

• Buffer = 7.5 tonnes x 1.10 = 8.25 tonnes (round up to 8.5 tonnes)

If you want an accurate measurement using a specific type of aggregate, it’s worth looking for online calculators. Most suppliers offer an online calculator to help determine how much you need to order. These formulas and calculation examples will help you answer the question: how much aggregate do I need for a patio?

How much aggregate do I need for concrete? 

If you are working on a construction project that requires concrete, you’re probably asking yourself, “how much aggregate do I need for concrete?”. Knowing the answer is vital because you will need the concrete to be strong and durable.

Once again, you will need to measure the concrete volume required for your project. For this, you will need to measure the length, width and depth of the area you are working on. View the formulas and examples above to find the volume.

Generally speaking, concrete is composed of 60-80% aggregate by volume. If you have 5 cubic metres, you will need between 3-4 cubic metres of aggregate. Estimating that 1 cubic metre of aggregate is approximately 1.5 tonnes, you will need 6 tonnes of aggregate.

• 5m3 x 0.8 = 4m3
• 4m3 x 1.5 tonnes = 6 tonnes of aggregate

Now that you know how much aggregate you need, you’ll be able to accurately order the correct amount to avoid wastage and added costs. This allows you to keep your project cost-effective and smooth.

At Hurleys Skip Hire, we’re here to support your site with professional, reliable Skip Hire, recycling services, and a commitment to responsible waste disposal. Need help getting started? Contact us today for more information about our aggregates.

 

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