Sandbag Sand Calculator

Inputs

Number of sandbags

Total target stock (e.g., 100,000).

Fill per bag (kg)

Typical operational fill is 15–20 kg; 18 kg is common.

Bulk density of sand (t/m³)

Dry washed sand ≈ 1.55–1.65 t/m³ (default 1.60).

Truck capacity (t per load)

Tandem tipper typically 10–12 t; set your fleet norm.

Moisture allowance (%)

Water content adds mass during handling (e.g., 5%).

Contingency / wastage (%)

Spillage, shrinkage, overfill margins (e.g., 5–10%).

Quick set:

Results

Total sand mass (t)

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Storage volume (m³)

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Estimated truckloads (loads)

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Assumptions & formulae

Base mass (t) = bags × (kg per bag) / 1000
Adjusted mass (t) = Base × (1 + moisture%) × (1 + contingency%)
Volume (m³) = Adjusted mass / bulk density (t/m³)
Truckloads = Adjusted mass / truck capacity (t)

Typical planning ranges (FYI)

For 100,000 bags at 18 kg each, dry density 1.6 t/m³: expect ≈ 1,800 t sand (≈ 1,125 m³), plus allowances — practical procurement target ≈ ~2,000 t including moisture and wastage.