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Specialized Tool · Specifications & Mixing
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Concrete Placement Time Estimator

See how long the pour will take.

Specifications & Mixing

See how long the pour will take.

⚙️Calculation Parameters

inches
inches
%
Bag Yield Standard:ASTM C387 (0.60 ft³/80lb)

📊Calculated Output

Cubic Yards (yd³)
0.36
Ready-mix truck volume
Cubic Feet (ft³)
9.60
Total wet concrete volume
80 lb Premix Bags
16
@ 0.60 cu.ft per bag
60 lb Premix Bags
22
@ 0.45 cu.ft per bag
Metric Volume:0.272 m³ (272 L)
Estimated Concrete Weight:~1,392 lbs (631 kg)
Mixing Water Required:~12.0 gal (~45 L)
Per Tube Volume:2.18 ft³ (0.081 yd³)

How Concrete Placement Time Estimator Works?

To estimate placement time, the Concrete Placement Time Estimator divides the job volume by the placement rate you enter and adds setup and rodding time. The process takes 4 steps.

  1. Enter the volume

    Type the volume in cubic yards (yd³) or cubic meters (m³), or the tubes.

  2. Enter the rate

    Type how fast the crew places concrete, such as 1 yd³ per hour with a drum mixer.

  3. Add per-pier time

    Enter minutes per pier for moving, rodding and leveling.

  4. Read the time

    The tool shows total hours and minutes per pier, and checks the total against the 90-minute ready-mix discharge window.

Concrete Placement Time Estimator Formula

The Concrete Placement Time Estimator uses volume ÷ rate.

Pour time

T = V ÷ R + n × t_pier

R rate, n piers, t_pier per-pier time.

Per pier

T_pier = T ÷ n

Average time per pier.

Truck window

T ≤ 90 min from batching

ASTM C94 sets a common 90-minute limit.

Worked example: 8 piers at 12 in × 48 in, 0.98 yd³, chute at 15 yd³/h, 4 min per pier

  1. Pour = 0.98 ÷ 15 × 60 = 4.1 min
  2. Moving and rodding = 8 × 4 = 32 min
  3. T = 36 min, inside the 90-minute window

Concrete Placement Time Estimator Conversion Table

The placement time conversion table lists pour time for 8 piers at 12 in × 48 in with 10% waste (0.98 yd³, 0.75 m³) at 5 placement rates, before per-pier moving time.

Placement time by method
MethodRatePour timePer pier
Hand mix, wheelbarrow0.5 yd³/h123 min15.4 min
Drum mixer, 2-person crew1.0 yd³/h61 min7.7 min
Drum mixer, 3-person crew1.5 yd³/h41 min5.1 min
Ready-mix chute15.0 yd³/h4 min0.5 min
Ready-mix with pump30.0 yd³/h2 min0.3 min

Rates are sample inputs. Crew size, access and weather change them.

What is Concrete Placement Time Estimator?

A Concrete Placement Time Estimator is a scheduling tool that calculates how long a crew needs to pour and rod Sonotube piers from an entered placement rate.

Time limits apply to concrete. Ready-mix must be placed within a set window after batching, and hand-mixed batches start to stiffen within an hour. The estimator checks the pour plan against those limits and shows the time per pier.

The tool helps decide crew size: a third worker on a drum mixer job can cut pour time by a third or more.

What are the uses of Concrete Placement Time Estimator?

There are 4 main uses of the Concrete Placement Time Estimator.

  • Truck scheduling

    Contractors book a truck and confirm the discharge window.

  • Crew sizing

    Supervisors add workers to meet a deadline.

  • Day planning

    Owners plan digging and pouring on separate days.

  • Weather windows

    Crews fit the pour before rain or heat.