Convert Tons to Cubic Yards

[Estimator Dude]

I have a sub contractor who placed asphalt pavement for me and he invoiced by the ton. The Architect pays by the Cubic Yard. We placed 423.36 tons of type I asphalt 1 1/2" thick. We placed 641.64 tons of Type II asphalt 2 1/2" thick. Please, Please tell me how to make this conversion. I really need to understand so I can address this in the future too. Thanks

[Robert Fogt]

You need to know the density.

I found data on crushed asphalt, but I do not know what is meant by type I and type II asphalt.

[Unregistered]

I have 11 tons of asphalt but our specs say we need so many cubic yards of asphalt how do I convert it to cubic yards?

[Robert Fogt]

You need to know the length and width (or the area), in addition to the thickness.

length in yards * width in yards * thickness in yards = cubic yards

area in square yards * thickness in yards = cubic yards

[Unregistered]

I'm a new superintedant for a construction company. I have a similar question, but I'm trying to convert #57 stone from cubic yards to tons. This information would help me for many years I am sure. Any help will be appreciated.

[Unregistered]

just weigh 1 cubic foot of your stone. 1ft x 1ft x 1ft.Then multiply that weight by 9....that is how much 1 cubic yard weighs

[Robert Fogt]

I tried searching for the density of #57 stone but came up empty. You may have to weigh a known amount and use that for the density.

Though it doesn't have to be as much as a cubic foot. If its a gravel type rock then just fill up any known volume, such as a gallon milk jug. You'd get the weight/gallon density which can be converted to pounds/cubic yard.

[Unregistered]

just weigh 1 cubic foot of your stone. 1ft x 1ft x 1ft.Then multiply that weight by 9....that is how much 1 cubic yard weighs
? MULTIPLY BY 27 (27 CUBIC FT IN A CUBIC YARD)

[Unregistered]

1 cubic yard = 1.35 tons (approx.)

Therefore, 1 ton = 0.7407 cubic yards.

Hope it helps.

[Unregistered]

Nice info unregistered but where did you find the reference? I will use the 1.35 tons figure in my stone calculations but I am searching for a general reference that gives figures for other stone sizes as well. Let me know if you find it thanks, Sonny.

[Unregistered]

? MULTIPLY BY 27 (27 CUBIC FT IN A CUBIC YARD)


If you have crushed stone it's not quite as simple as that. Depending upon the stone size there is a considerable void volume. In smaller crushed stone, say 1 inch size, the volume of the voids is lower (about 25%) than in larger stone where a cubic yard of 6" stone may have a volume of voids of 35%.

Therefore, with a solid stone of granite that has a weight of 165 lbs per cu ft., the voids are equal to about 40 lbs (25% of 165 lbs. fo 1 inch crushed) or the 1 cu ft of 1 inch crushed stone ia about 125 lbs per cubic foot or 27 times that for a cubic yard = 3375 lbs per cu yd. If one then divides by 2000 lbs per ton you get about 1.7 tones per cu yd. of 1 inch crushed granite.

[Unregistered]

GIVE THIS MAN A ,, a+ ,,as they say on family feud ( good answer )


If you have crushed stone it's not quite as simple as that. Depending upon the stone size there is a considerable void volume. In smaller crushed stone, say 1 inch size, the volume of the voids is lower (about 25%) than in larger stone where a cubic yard of 6" stone may have a volume of voids of 35%.

Therefore, with a solid stone of granite that has a weight of 165 lbs per cu ft., the voids are equal to about 40 lbs (25% of 165 lbs. fo 1 inch crushed) or the 1 cu ft of 1 inch crushed stone ia about 125 lbs per cubic foot or 27 times that for a cubic yard = 3375 lbs per cu yd. If one then divides by 2000 lbs per ton you get about 1.7 tones per cu yd. of 1 inch crushed granite.

[Unregistered]

Your best bet is to call a quarry in your local area and ask to speak with a sales representative or someone in quality control.

As far as tons per cubic yards on the #57 Stone; 1.185 tons equals one cubic yard.

Here are some others that may help you...

#4 = 1.110
#5 = 1.092
#57 = 1.185
#67 = 1.164
#89 = 1.188
#9 = 1.273

This is all based on Miami Oolite limestone.

[Unregistered]

I'm a new superintedant for a construction company. I have a similar question, but I'm trying to convert #57 stone from cubic yards to tons. This information would help me for many years I am sure. Any help will be appreciated.

go get a cat book it will tell you every conversion you need to know. there really small hand held books

[Unregistered]

I have a sub contractor who placed asphalt pavement for me and he invoiced by the ton. The Architect pays by the Cubic Yard. We placed 423.36 tons of type I asphalt 1 1/2" thick. We placed 641.64 tons of Type II asphalt 2 1/2" thick. Please, Please tell me how to make this conversion. I really need to understand so I can address this in the future too. Thanks

It would be 1,089 yd^3

[Unregistered]

The answer to all your questions is call the quary and ask for the Unit Weight of the product. Once you have the unit weight (lbs/ft3) multiply by the amount of ft^3 you need which is length x width x height and this will tell you how many pounds you need. Then ther are 2000 lbs in a ton so divide by 2000 to get tons. If you know your cubic feet to convert to cubic yards divide by 27 since there are 27ft^3 in a yd^3. Hence 3'x3'x3'=27ft^3. or 1cy

[Unregistered]

i was having the same problem and my boss told me that 2tons = 1 cubic yard so for example: 43tons = 21.5 cy.

[Unregistered]

pending on the specific gravity of the asphalt at @ 2.35
1.98 tons of asphalt per cubic yard
so 1 ton = @ 1/2 a cubic yard

[Unregistered]

Stone density differs from depending on the area, call your quarry where you are getting the rock from and they can tell you the diff. max dry density's for diff stone. In general 57's is 1.9 Ton/CY since it's washed stone.

Ashpalt is 2.14TN/CY so your answer is in Tons divide that by 2.14 and you get CY

[Unregistered]

I am unregistered, but#6 reply is way wrong. there are 27 cubic ft in a yard,so you would times your 1' square by 27, not 9. the 1.35 is a good compromise for most rock material, I am a general contractor who moves a lot of dirt. thanks

[Unregistered]

just weigh 1 cubic foot of your stone. 1ft x 1ft x 1ft.Then multiply that weight by 9....that is how much 1 cubic yard weighs
it should be x 27 not 9

[Unregistered]

1 poster says 1.89 TN/CY for Asphalt and another poster says 2.14 TN/CY for Asphalt...

so I guess an average value of 1.89+2.14/2 = 2.06 TN/CY for Asphalt would be "Close" enough?

Is the conversion variance the truck load transport vs. the rolled in place conditions?

[Unregistered]

I pay to contractor at 156#/CF for asphalt that is (156/2000)*27=2.106ton/cy

[Terry_dallas06]

I have 795.46 tons of 6" filter blanket material to spread 6 " think how many square yards will that cover. can you please show the math

[doubleij]

What is the unit weight (lb/cf) of pumice aggegate (5-8 mm in diameter)? Ultimately, I need to convert 31 cubic yards into tons.

[Unregistered]

I have a sub contractor who placed asphalt pavement for me and he invoiced by the ton. The Architect pays by the Cubic Yard. We placed 423.36 tons of type I asphalt 1 1/2" thick. We placed 641.64 tons of Type II asphalt 2 1/2" thick. Please, Please tell me how to make this conversion. I really need to understand so I can address this in the future too. Thanks

you need to know how much area you have covered. we can work through it backwards. 423.26 tons x 2000 lbs/ton/165lbs per syd = approximately 5130.42 syds of pavement
1 1/2" = 165#/syd
1"= 110#/syd
one cubic yard of compacted asphalt weighs approximately 3000 lbs
423.36 tons x 2000lbs= 846520 lbs of product
846520/3000 lbs
282.17 cubic yards +/-
Architect is not very well versed in the laying of asphalt it seems. Ive been in the business for over 30 years and have never been paid by the cubic yard. Square yard maybe. Hope this helps

[jacksonontop]

how do I get weight of limestone for ordering riprap. 6" sphere-12"sphere 18"sphere 24"sphere 30"sphere 36" sphere 42"sphere what would be a good formular to use.

[Dirtman]

how do I get weight of limestone for ordering riprap. 6" sphere-12"sphere 18"sphere 24"sphere 30"sphere 36" sphere 42"sphere what would be a good formular to use.

"Sphere" wouldn't be the term that I would use, as in the normal sense, rip-rap is large irregular shaped pieces of broken rock. Spheres, such as marbles, can be placed to get the air voids to around 26%, whereas rip-rap will have voids in the range of 40 to 50%, depending on the size uniformity and angular shapes.

Depending on the limestone, solid rock will be in the range of 2350 to 2850 kg/m3. At 40% voids, using an average density of 2600 kg/m3 for solid limestone, it would weigh approximately 1560 kg/m3 (2630 lb/yd3). However, in the real world, you're probably not going to know the density of the material a sand and gravel pit uses.

In estimating, you should err on the heavier side. To be safe, call local sand and gravel pits and use the weights (and prices) they publish for their rip-rap.

[Unregistered]

I have a sub contractor who placed asphalt pavement for me and he invoiced by the ton. The Architect pays by the Cubic Yard. We placed 423.36 tons of type I asphalt 1 1/2" thick. We placed 641.64 tons of Type II asphalt 2 1/2" thick.

HMA is about 150lbs/cf; or 150*27 = 4050 lbs
423.36 tons x (2000lbs/1 ton) x (1cf/150lbs) x (1 cy/27cf)= 423.36x2000/150/27= 209.07CY
641.64 tons x (2000lbs/1 ton) x (1cf/150lbs) x (1 cy/27cf)= 641.64x2000/150/27=316.86 CY

We usually use the term 0.056 tons/sy/inch to figure out the tonage say your lot was 250'x 180' ... 250x180x(1/9)sy x.056 at 1.5" deep = 420tons, 250x180x(1/9)sy x.056 at 2.5" deep = 700 tons.

Try working backward to check how much was paved approx. at the depths 423.36/.056/1.5 =5040 SY, or 641.64/0.056/2.5=4583 SY these should match up if the areas, depths and compaction was perfect.

[Unregistered]

Converting tons to cubic yards: lotsa realy involved answers...it's simple, actually. Divide 2,000lbs by your unit weight of material in lbs/cf (you already have to know this, and unit weight already accounts for voids, if aggregate) - this will give you cubic feet. Divide that by 27cf/cy and you get cubic yards. That's it.
symbolically: (2,000lb)/(unitweight, lb/cf)/(27cf/cy)

[Unregistered]

I'm running a quarry for the US Army. I can't find a military manual that covers the density of unmined rock, blast rock, and the various sizes of crushed stone. If anyone knows the answer to this question, please send a reccommendation. Thanks!

[Unregistered]

I'm running a quarry for the US Army. I can't find a military manual that covers the density of unmined rock, blast rock, and the various sizes of crushed stone. If anyone knows the answer to this question, please send a reccommendation. Thanks!

Continuing on from my post above, any book will do. It doesn't have to be a military manual. Thanks!

[Mrs X]

I'm running a quarry for the US Army. I can't find a military manual that covers the density of unmined rock, blast rock, and the various sizes of crushed stone. If anyone knows the answer to this question, please send a reccommendation. Thanks!

Hi, i don't know the answer but fascinating question! You might have more luck it you start a new thread. :)

So, why does the US military need to run a quarry???? :D

One practical note, do you need your answers in metric or imperial?

[Robert Fogt]

There is a page at
http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_materials.htm

It has a few things you might need such as earth, gravel, crushed stone. But wont have everything.

[Unregistered]

Hi, i don't know the answer but fascinating question! You might have more luck it you start a new thread. :)

So, why does the US military need to run a quarry???? :D

One practical note, do you need your answers in metric or imperial?

Well, we use the stone for all the same things that anyone else uses the stone for. I don't know if it's going to help me but I found a digital copy of the SME Mining Engineering Handbook at www(dot)muslimeng(dot)org/vb//archive/index.php/t-4602(dot)html

After I get a chance to take a thorough look at it, I'll repost.

[Unregistered]

just weigh 1 cubic foot of your stone. 1ft x 1ft x 1ft.Then multiply that weight by 9....that is how much 1 cubic yard weighs


Wouldn't you multiply it by 27 since there are 27 cft in a 1 cyd?

[Unregistered]

just weigh 1 cubic foot of your stone. 1ft x 1ft x 1ft.Then multiply that weight by 9....that is how much 1 cubic yard weighs

"wrong". there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard (3x3x3)