Ballast How many bags of cement to fill ballast box?

[JB4310]

So does an 80# bag of concrete mixed with water weigh 94# once it is dry??? You would think it would have to add some kind of extra weight to it???

Probably right around there, a little less than 2 gallons of water to mix one bag.

Hydration is pretty interesting, I've been mixing mortar and concrete all my life and never really understood what was going on in there until recently.
How it chemically changes water into a solid, what else does that???
The ancient Romans had the formula for cement based materials, but was lost for a long time not sure when it was rediscovered.

JB.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

A couple of things,
80# sackcrete is about 2/3 of a cubic ft per bag
You need about 1 1/4 gallons of water per bag

If you want to add concentrated weight in the box and have some room left over for chains and tools consider using Bayrite weight material, this stuff weighs about 36lbs/gallon. Available in 100 lb. sacks that are much smaller than sackkrete.

Where do you get the Bayrite and is it comparable in price? I have never heard of it.... and do you mix this with water also??

 

[93Mustang]

I am going to mix the remaining bags in the box so I can tell how much they fill dry and after adding water.

 

[glc24]

Probably right around there, a little less than 2 gallons of water to mix one bag.

Hydration is pretty interesting, I've been mixing mortar and concrete all my life and never really understood what was going on in there until recently.
How it chemically changes water into a solid, what else does that???
The ancient Romans had the formula for cement based materials, but was lost for a long time not sure when it was rediscovered.

JB.

Well,what does the cured 'crete weigh?
I asked the contractor building our new building at work today. A 94lb bag of concrete when cured will weigh a bit more than its powder form,but you're only talking about 5 or 6 more lbs at most.

Greg

 

[jenkinsph]

Where do you get the Bayrite and is it comparable in price? I have never heard of it.... and do you mix this with water also??

Bayrite is the weight material used in drilling mud. I suspect it is a fine ground dense stone or rock. It is heavy enough to pack itself quickly in a steel box.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Barite. Barium sulfate. Specific gravity about 4.2 in powder form. Almost 2/3 as dense as steel.
larry

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Does anyone have the price of a bag of bayrite? And where do you get it??

 

[SPYDERLK]

Does anyone have the price of a bag of bayrite? And where do you get it??

Google Barite.

 

[jenkinsph]

Barite. Barium sulfate. Specific gravity about 4.2 in powder form. Almost 2/3 as dense as steel.
larry

Thanks for correcting the spelling Larry.

I use to deal with this stuff frequently when I was younger and worked offshore for drilling companies. I suspect it would be easy to find in an area with drilling rigs working. Drilling mud companies would have it by the truckload or sack.


Slag might be another choice if available in your area too.

 

[glc24]

Does anyone have the price of a bag of bayrite? And where do you get it??

It doesn't look like it's easy to find for local purchase anyway.
If you're serious about using this stuff,I would go to one of the Marcellus wells and ask someone. I would think if anyone,they would be able to point you in the right direction.:thumbsup:

Greg