What Is The Difference Between A “Cubic Yard” And A “Square Yard” When Referring To Ready-mix Concrete?

There are several benefits of building with concrete. Known for its durability, concrete is versatile, energy-efficient, and withstands the elements better than many other popular building materials. It does not burn like wood and rust like iron. Concrete can be molded into different shapes, depending on the needs and preferences of customers.

No wonder some of the oldest structures, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Alvord Lake Bridge, and the Eddystone Lighthouse, are made of concrete. Concrete is the building material of choice when a project calls for a durable, long-lasting structure.

Concrete is sold by the cubic yard. As a leading concrete supplier near the Vallejo area, our experts at Bayshore Materials are often asked, “how do you measure cubic yardage?” If you need the cubic yardage for you next concrete order, follow our teams’ steps for calculating your order.

Step #1: Measure the length and width of the area. Note down measurements

Step #2: To calculate the total area of the proposed slab in square yards, multiply the length of the proposed concrete slab with the slab’s width

Step #3: The final step involves converting total square yardage to cubic yardage. For this, you need to take into account the slab’s planned depth. Multiply the total area of the slab by the proposed slab depth. The result is the total cubic yards of concrete you will need

What Is The Difference Between A Cubic Yard And A Square Yard?  

A cubic yard is a three-dimensional volume measurement. In simple terms, it is calculated by multiplying three dimensions – length, breadth, and height.

A square yard, on the other hand, is a two-dimensional measurement, meaning height is not taken into account.

Concrete is used to build three-dimensional structures, which is why we need to calculate cubic yardage of structures.

Tips to Make Concrete More Durable

Once you have made your calculations and ordered concrete, start your project. When building with concrete, follow these steps to improve its durability.

• Use a mix design: This preparation process aims to improve the strength and durability of concrete structures. No single mix design is appropriate for every situation. For example, when concrete is exposed to soil containing sulfate, the mix should contain sulfate-resistant cement. This mix is not appropriate when concrete is subjected to repeated cycles of thawing
• Ensure proper curling: Make sure the conditions are appropriate for concrete to harden and gain strength. Control moisture to keep the concrete from drying, cracking and shrinking. The temperature should exceed 50 degrees F

No matter how much concrete you need for you next project, Bayshore Materials has you covered.  As the leading concrete suppler near Vallejo, let the experts of Bayshore Materials assist you in measuring for your next concrete delivery. To learn more, call us today at (707) 644-0859.