over-estimated cubic feet to ton?

I've called two different companies, both of whom claim it will take 4-5 tons of sand to fill a hole 12' x 12' x 5". I don't know if the sand is wet or dry, but I'm assuming it is damp, what with weather in Missouri.

Is this an accurate estimate? Elsewhere, we've calculated roughly 76 cubic feet of sand for fill and jointing of pavers. I know that's not even close to what these guys are estimating. Can you help?

Thanks,

Lisa Marie

[Robert Fogt]

First all the base units need to be the same, such as feet, then just multiply together to get the volume.

12 feet * 12 feet * (5 inches/12) feet = 60 cubic feet

Now multiply that by the density in pounds/cubic feet to get pounds.

Here is some density data:
Sand, wet - 120 pounds/cubic foot
Sand, wet, packed - 130 pounds/cubic foot
Sand, dry - 100 pounds/cubic foot
Sand, loose - 90 pounds/cubic foot
Sand, rammed - 105 pounds/cubic foot
Sand, water filled - 120 pounds/cubic foot

Choose which type of sand, then just multiply. For example, wet sand at 120 pounds/cubic foot

60 cubic foot * 120 pounds/cubic foot = 7200 pounds
7200 pounds / 2000 = 3.6 tons

Thank you so much for your help. I still think that sounds awfully high -- but the numbers don't lie, do they? <smile> Thanks.

Lisa Marie

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've called two different companies, both of whom claim it will take 4-5 tons of sand to fill a hole 12' x 12' x 5". I don't know if the sand is wet or dry, but I'm assuming it is damp, what with weather in Missouri.

Is this an accurate estimate? Elsewhere, we've calculated roughly 76 cubic feet of sand for fill and jointing of pavers. I know that's not even close to what these guys are estimating. Can you help?

Thanks,

Lisa Marie

The companies are filling the hole completly with sand. You are estimating filling the hole with pavers in in. Big difference.

How do I convert 355 cubic feet to tonnes.

The item in question is gravel

[JohnS]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How do I convert 355 cubic feet to tonnes.

The item in question is gravel

Dry gravel is about 2600 lb/yd³, and 1 yd³ is 27 ft³

355 ft³ x 1 yd³/27 ft³ x 2600 lb/yd³ x 0.4536 kg/lb x 1 t/1000 kg = 15.5 metric tons (tonnes)