Determining Concrete Volume for Curb and Gutter Installations
Getting the concrete quantity right matters for both cost and completion when building curbs and gutters. Ordering extra means paying more than necessary, while ordering short can halt the work. Concrete is typically bought by the cubic yard, and a straightforward formula lets you work out the needed amount.
By Hayden Ward5 steps
Curbs are usually made of concrete because of its durability.
For any construction job, ordering the right quantity of materials — concrete included — is a key part of planning. Over-ordering concrete means unnecessary expense, and under-ordering leaves you unable to finish the work. Concrete is sold in cubic yards, and when the task involves curbs and gutters, you can calculate the required amount without much difficulty as long as you apply the right formula.
Step 1
Record the curb or gutter's length, width and height. Work in feet, which means a height of 6 inches becomes .5 feet.
Step 2
Determine the volume by multiplying length, width and depth together.
Step 3
Take the volume of the gutter or curb and divide it by 27, since a square yard contains 27 cubic feet.
Step 4
To allow for spillage, calculate 10 percent of the cubic yards by multiplying the cubic yards by .10.
Step 5
Combine the spillage allowance with the cubic yards the project requires.
