Sonotube Calculator

The Sonotube Calculator helps you determine the quantity and cost of concrete needed when building round columns using Sonotubes.

What Is A Sonotube?

This is a cylindrical shape column made of multiple layers of quality spiral-wound fiber glued together. They are used to give a round form to the concrete. They are manufactured by “Sonoco”.  

How To Calculate Concrete And Cost For Sonotubes?

Go through the below-mentioned steps to calculate the Concrete:

For Premixed Concrete:

• Firstly, calculate the volume of the sonotube by using the cylinder volume formula
• After that find the equivalent weight of the column with the help of the density
• Find the number of bags, diving the weight by (bag size x (1-waste)
• Multiply the number of bags with the cost of each bag
• To find the cost of concrete per unit volume, divide the material cost by the volume of sonotube
• Find the cost per column by multiplying the cost of concrete per unit volume with the volume

For Mixing My Own Concrete:

• Find the volume of the sonotube
• Use density to calculate the weight of the column
• Choose the concrete mix ratio as per your need 
• Find the total volume (Volume x (1+ waste)
• Calculate the volume of cement, sand, and gravel according to their ratio
• Calculate the material cost of cement, sand, and gravel by multiplying their volumes with the cost
• Find the total cost by adding the cost of all the materials

Practical Example:

Suppose you have a sonotube that is 120 inches high and has a diameter of 16 inches.  The density that you need is 6 cu ft, the concrete bag size is 10 kg and the cost of each bag is 10 RS, waste is 5%. 

Find: 

• How much concrete for sonotube you will need?
• Now How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need for Sonotube?
• The cost of concrete

Solution:

Given that:

Density = 6 cu ft

Sonotube Size = D = 16 inches

Radius = D / 2 = 16 / 2 = 8 

Height = 120 inches

Volume of Sonotube = πr^2h = 3.14159265 x (8)^2 x 120 = 24,127 cu in

Convert it into Cu ft by multiplying with 0.000578704

Volume of Sonotube = 24,127 x 0.000578704 = 13.963

For Premixed Concrete Bags:

Density = Mass / Volume 

6 = Mass / 13.963 

Weight = 6 x 13.963 = 83.78 lb

Convert the weight into kg  multiply the weight by 0.453592

Weight = 83.78 x 0.453592 = 38 Kg

Bag Size = 10 kg

Waste = 5 % = 5 / 100 = 0.05

Now How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need for Sonotube?

Number of Bags = Weight / Bag Size x (1-waste)

Bags Needed = 38 / 10  x (1-0.05)

Bags Needed = 38 / 10 x 0.95 = 38 / 9.5 

Bags Needed = 4 

Now calculate the Material Cost:

Material Cost = cost of each bag x No of bags 

Material Cost = 10 x 4 = 40 RS 

Cost of concrete per unit volume = Material Cost / Volume 

Cost of concrete per unit volume = 40 / 13.963 = 2.86 Rs

Cost Per Column = Cost of concrete per unit volume x Volume 

Cost Per Column = 2.86 x 13.963 = 39.93418 Rs

For Mix My Own Concrete:

Given that:

Waste = 5%

Price of Cement = 5 Rs

Price of Sand = 6 Rs

The  Price of Gravel  = 7 Rs

Concrete Mix Ratio = 1:5:10 

Volume = 13.963 

Total Volume = 13.963 x (1+ 0.05)

Total Volume = 13.963 x 1.05 = 14.66 cu ft

Volume of Cement = Total Volume x (Ratio of Cement / Sonotube Size)

Volume of Cement = 14.66 x (1 / 16) = 14.66 x 0.0625 = 0.91625

Cost of Cement = 5 x Volume = 5 x 0.91625 = 4.58125 Rs

Volume of Sand = Total Volume x (Ratio of Sand / Sonotube Size)

Volume of Sand = 14.66 x (5 / 16) = 14.66 x 0.3125 = 4.58125

Cost of Sand = 6 x Volume = 6 x 4.58125 = 27.4875 Rs

Volume of Gravel = Total Volume x (Ratio of Gravel / Sonotube Size)

Volume of Gravel = 14.66 x (10 / 16) = 14.66 x 0.625 = 9.1625

Cost of Gravel = 7 x Volume = 7 x 9.1625 = 64.1375 Rs

Total Cost = Cost of Cement + Cost of Sand + Cost of Gravel

Total Cost = 4.58125 + 27.4875 + 64.1375

Total Cost = 96.20625 Rs 

Rather than dragging yourself into this long calculation, simply get the assistance of a quikrete calculator sonotube. It will enable you to perform the whole calculation in seconds. 

FAQ’s:

What Is A Sonotube Calculator Used For?

Giving a shape to the concrete is a daunting task, but the nanotubes have made it a piece of cake. They help to create perfectly round concrete columns. This way, they save time, effort, and money.

What Sizes Do Sonotubes Come In?

Sonotubes come in different types and sizes from 6” to 60” in diameter and the length ranges from 4” to 20”. In the following table we have mentioned some types and their sizes:

What Factors Affect The Load-Bearing Capacity of Sonotubes?

Have a look at the following parameter that impacts the load-bearing capacity:

• Diameter
• Sonotube Height
• Load distribution

Get the assistance of a sonotube load calculator to find the bearing capacity effortlessly. 

What Are The Key Parameters For Sonotube Calculations?

The key parameters are:

• Diameter
• Height of the Sonotube
• Properties of The Concrete Mix
• Load-Bearing Capacity Requirements
• Using a Sonotube Calculator ensures accurate planning and reduces material waste in construction projects.