Gravel questions

AndyM · Apr 9, 2004

I'm looking to bring some gravel or limestone in next week for some miscellaneous projects...
Leveling a low spot in the driveway, enlarging my turnaround, building a pad to park the van on to get it out of the mud.

Is there an easy way to estimate how many tons to bring in?

The area that I want to build up is about 300 or 400 square feet (roughly 10 x 30) but the depth will vary since I am trying to eliminate a large dip in my driveway (around the same distance from the road as the dip in my front yard, for those of you who have seen my front yard).

The turnaround and extra parking area is going to be large enough to park one or two vehicles on and also use as a turnaround... I'd say about 20 x 30 or so. I'll have to put a base of larger stone down first before putting in something smaller. Don't worry folks, the turnaround is going in on the dryer side of the driveway, not the side with the "lake". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I want to put down number 4 for my base coat and number 57 on top of it, but there are other names for them, and I haven't figured out why. When gravel sizes are talked about, why do the names and numbers vary in different regions of the country? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

nobull1 · Apr 9, 2004

Try this link tonnage calculator

MossRoad · Apr 9, 2004

I always go by cubic yards, as I have no idea how much different materials weigh, but I can almost always measure the area I want to fill. If I want to add 4" of material to an area, I can cover 3 square feet, 4" deep with one cubic foot of material.

1 cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.

So, 81 square feet can be covered 4" deep with one cubic yard of material. Round it to 80 square feet.

So, in your case:

10X30 = 300 square feet.
300/80= 3.75 yards of material to cover 4" deep.

Of course, that's assuming you want 4" of material. Anyway, the gravel pit or stone hauler will usually know how many tons a yard of material will weigh.

Egon · Apr 9, 2004

The weigh per cubic yard may vary as to the density of the rock and the way the material is graded plus moisture content. [ voidage of material in loose condition ] Its usually easier to calculate and order by the cubic yard.

Designation for gravel have always had me confused here as they seem to vary. I'm used to calling uncrushed gravel pit run and the crushed gravel pit run that has gone through a crusher.

Sizeing of gravel in my world is in inches or fractions thereoff all determined by the crusher roller or cone spacings and the screens used.

Crushed gravel will compact. Pit run acts like marbles. There is a fellow here who can describe it well.

Egon

BigAl · Apr 9, 2004

Hi Andy ,
Out here in the West we go by the size of the rock . It is based on the size of screen that the rock goes through . For example , If it is 1 1/2" rock it is about a 1 1/2 " across etc. We also add fines made up of rock dust and dirt/sand mix to help bind the rock better. The rule of thumb is all newly constructed roads get 2" or bigger rock,without fines, as a base with 1 1/2" or smaller ,with fines,as a finish . It also depends on the type of dirt you are going over . Softer dirt requires bigger size rock to bridge the soft spots . Usually old established roads get a 1 1/2" with fines or smaller. I never seen the numbers used out here before .
Big Al

Nasty135 · Apr 9, 2004

Andy I wouldn't be afraid to start with one full dual tandem dump truck load of each which is going to be approx 20tons each. You will be suprised how fast it disapppears.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
sounds like loader fun to me /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif If not enough you can always order more, I need to order mine soon also ,just as soon as I take out a tree thats in the way... Mark

CTyler · Apr 9, 2004

Around here I get rock from a limestone pit. They grade thier rock 3", 1 1/2" and 3/4". I always get the crusher run, crushed limestone with fines. You can get washed rock, no fines, as well.

The designations vary across the country. No 57 is about 3/4" if I remember right. There are sights on the internet that list all this.

A tandem axle dump truck(here) fully loaded is 15 ton. There is the same ~$60 delivery charge wether I get 5 ton or 15 ton. That 15 ton pile of rock looks purty small for some reason. I usually get two. Funny cause that pile(two loads) is what I thought one would look like. And YES it goes suprisingly FAST.
It just friggen amazing, it dissappears!!

I'd get a load of 1 1/2" or equivilent, No 57 would be a bit small. It would be fine for a top coat but so is 1 1/2" after its gets packed in.

B7510 · Apr 9, 2004

When gravel sizes are talked about, why do the names and numbers vary in different regions of the country?

In most areas the designation for the gravel is the same as what ever your state's highway department call it in their standard specifcations for construction. They set up different specs, depending on what the gravel is used for. Since they are the 500# gorilla when it comes to quantities purchased, everybody usually falls into line with what they do.

It varys from state to state because there are different gravel sources to start with. Some areas have to quary rock and crush it, others have natural deposits (pit run) gravel that can be sorted and remixed.