Gravel Calculator
A loose collection of rock fragments created by erosion is called gravel. Although it has numerous applications, gravel and other rock pieces like sand and crushed stone are frequently utilized in building.
The size of the individual particles that comprise the aggregate is usually used to categorize rock fragments. For instance, cobbles are smaller than boulders, gravel is smaller than cobbles, and sand is composed of smaller rock fragments than gravel. Rock fragments (and gravel) can be categorized by size. The Udden-Wentworth scale, which is frequently employed by geologists in the United States, and the worldwide standard ISO 14688 are two examples of widely used standards. According to the Udden-Wentworth scale, gravel is classified as pebble gravel if its diameter is 4-66 mm (0.2-2.5 in) or granular gravel if it is 2-44 mm (0.079-0.157 in). However, gravel is categorized as fine (2.0-6.3 mm), medium (6.3-20 mm), or coarse by ISO 14688-1:2002.
What is the amount of gravel I need?
The type of project will determine how much gravel is needed for that particular project. Given a number of variables, the above calculator can be used to determine the amount of gravel required. Keep in mind that the calculator’s price estimate is only an estimate based on the cost of materials. The estimate excludes any additional project-related expenses (labor, material delivery, etc.).
Calculate the volume that the gravel must cover in order to estimate how much gravel you will require. Determine the desired depth of the gravel as well as the area that will be covered by it in order to calculate the volume required. A minimum of 2-4 inches of gravel is a practical baseline, while the optimal depth varies according on the application. The volume of gravel required is calculated by multiplying the area to be covered by the desired depth. The mass of gravel required to finish the project can be determined using the known density of the specified type of gravel once the required volume of gravel has been determined.
What is the purpose of gravel?
A popular commercial product, gravel can be utilized for a variety of tasks, from large-scale construction projects like roadways to cosmetic uses. Each year, billions of tons of sand and gravel are generated for use in construction projects all over the world.
Building
Concrete aggregate is made from about half of the gravel generated in the United States. Rock fragments ranging in size from medium to coarse comprise the rather broad category of materials known as construction aggregate. Aggregates can consist of recycled concrete, slag, crushed stone, and other elements in addition to sand and gravel. In addition to being used to manufacture concrete, sand and gravel are also used to make pipes, bricks, and concrete blocks, as well as to build roads, mix with asphalt, and use as construction fill.
Additionally, gravel can be used to create driveways, walkways, and roof coverings. For example, shingles can be manufactured using a sand and gravel mixture, walkways can be made with a gravel and stone mixture, and driveways can be constructed with gravel alone or with a gravel and asphalt mixture.
In backyard projects as well as large-scale professional construction projects, gravel is frequently utilized for drainage regions. This is due to the fact that it offers a sturdy base while yet having enough fissures and openings to let water and surplus moisture escape.
Decorating and landscaping
In addition to offering possible advantages like drainage, gravel can be utilized as an accent or decoration in landscaping because it comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. It works well as a border for a flower garden, for instance, to stabilize areas that might be vulnerable to soil erosion. It can also be used to line a driveway or sidewalk or as a patio base.
In some situations, gravel can be used in place of organic mulch. Using gravel instead of organic mulch has several benefits, including being more resilient and requiring less upkeep and maintenance. It also protects the soil by retaining heat and preventing evaporation. When exposed to the weather, gravel is more likely to maintain its intended shape or form since it is less likely to move than many other types of organic mulch.
Applications in agriculture and water treatment
In order to eliminate precipitates (suspended solids), gravel is utilized in the water filtration process. Keep in mind that water cannot be made clean by gravel filters. Only solid particles that are physically unable to pass through the gravel filter are eliminated by using gravel filters, which are only one stage in the water treatment process. Contaminants that might be present in the water are not eliminated unless they are eliminated together with the filtered particles.
For use in agriculture, several varieties of gravel can also be crushed or milled. For instance, agricultural lime, a soil additive that can lower soil acidity to encourage crop development, is made by grinding chalk or limestone. Since poultry need small rocks and minerals in their diet to effectively break down their food, ground gravel is also used as a type of mineral feed for birds like chickens and turkeys.
Gravel types
There are numerous varieties of gravel. Gravel is typically classified according to the size of the individual rock pieces that comprise it, as well as the method used to generate or acquire it. Depending on whether the rock fragments are the product of natural erosion or mechanical crushing, gravel may occasionally be separated from other kinds of rock particles.
While crushed stone will have harsher edges and be less smooth, gravel created by natural erosion is typically smoother and rounder. This distinction isn’t always made, though, and given the variety of ways gravel can be classified, it’s a good idea to be specific about the type of rock fragments being used. This is because different types of gravel or rock fragments have different benefits and drawbacks depending on their intended use. Here are a few illustrations of several kinds of gravel.
Bank gravel
Bank gravel, sometimes known as river run or bank run, is a kind of gravel that is found alongside streams and rivers. It is made up of sand, clay, and small and large pieces of rock. Because of its excellent water-draining ability, bank gravel promotes plant growth and helps stop soil erosion. It can serve as a foundation for concrete and is commonly used to fill in landscape gaps.
A river stone
One of the biggest varieties of gravel is river stone, sometimes known as river rock. The same type of naturally eroded stone can be found on rivers, creeks, and beaches. Because of their smooth surfaces and the range of colors they come in, they are frequently utilized for decorative purposes. For instance, because of their strong capacity to drain, they can be utilized for landscaping or to line ponds, creeks, and water fixtures.
Pea gravel
One of the smallest varieties of gravel is called pea gravel, which derives its name from the fact that it is around the size of garden peas. It is utilized in a wide range of applications because it is also among the least expensive varieties of gravel. For instance, it is frequently used as an aggregate in concrete and for constructing driveways and roads.
Pea gravel, which is composed of a mixture of rounded and chipped rock bits, is also frequently used in landscaping because it adds some color and texture. It can also be used in aquariums and around plants because of its excellent draining capacity.
Stone that has been crushed
Stone is mechanically crushed to create crushed stone, a kind of medium-sized gravel. Crushed stone is often made from crushed granite, limestone, or dolomite. Since crushed stone is a produced rock fragment rather than a naturally occurring one, it is not regarded as gravel in some definitions of the term. The rougher surface and sharper edges of crushed stone are two of its main characteristics that set it apart from gravel that has been created by erosion. Erosion-produced gravel is often spherical and smooth.
The most common use for crushed stone is as an aggregate in concrete. Depending on the kind of stone that is crushed to create it, it may have a variety of colors and textures. Crushed stone is also divided into many size-based groups.
Like concrete, crushed stone is commonly used to surface driveways and roads. Although its harsher edges can make it less aesthetically pleasing, it can also be utilized for landscaping. Since its sharper edges can make it more dangerous and difficult to walk on than its smoother rivals, it is also less frequently utilized for sidewalks and pathways than other forms of gravel.
Make a gravel payment.
Pay gravel, sometimes known as pay dirt, is a kind of gravel that can consist of almost any kind of rock. The presence of notable concentrations of precious metals, including gold, is what sets pay gravel apart. Given that it includes precious metals, it is rarely used for anything other than gold panning.