See how much dirt you will dig out.
⚙️Calculation Parameters
📊Calculated Output
How Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator Works?
To size excavation, the Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator finds the bank volume of soil removed from each hole and adds swell for the loose spoil pile. The process takes 4 steps.
Enter the hole size
Type the hole diameter and depth, including any gravel depth below the tube.
Enter the hole count
Type the number of holes.
Pick a swell factor
Choose 10% to 15% for sand, 25% for common earth and 30% to 40% for clay or rock.
Read spoil volume
The calculator shows bank cubic yards (yd³), loose yd³ and the dump-truck or wheelbarrow loads.
Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator Formula
The Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator applies swell to the hole cylinder.
Bank volume
V_bank = n × π × (D ÷ 24)² × (H ÷ 12)Soil in place, in cubic feet (ft³).
Loose volume
V_loose = V_bank × (1 + s)s is the swell factor.
Loads
Loads = ⌈V_loose ÷ C⌉C is wheelbarrow (about 3 ft³ heaped) or truck capacity.
Worked example: 12 holes at 18 in × 48 in, 25% swell
- V_bank = 12 × 7.069 = 84.82 ft³ (3.14 yd³)
- V_loose = 84.82 × 1.25 = 106.03 ft³ (3.93 yd³)
- Wheelbarrow loads ≈ ⌈106.03 ÷ 3⌉ = 36
Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator Conversion Table
The excavation conversion table lists bank and loose spoil for 6 hole sizes, per hole and for 10 holes, with 25% swell.
| Hole | Bank ft³ per hole | Loose ft³ per hole | Bank yd³ for 10 | Loose yd³ for 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in × 36 in | 2.36 | 2.95 | 0.873 | 1.091 |
| 16 in × 42 in | 4.89 | 6.11 | 1.810 | 2.262 |
| 18 in × 48 in | 7.07 | 8.84 | 2.618 | 3.272 |
| 20 in × 48 in | 8.73 | 10.91 | 3.232 | 4.040 |
| 24 in × 60 in | 15.71 | 19.63 | 5.818 | 7.272 |
| 30 in × 60 in | 24.54 | 30.68 | 9.090 | 11.363 |
Call the local one-call utility locate service before digging any hole.
What is Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator?
A Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator is an earthwork calculator that estimates the soil removed when digging holes for Sonotube piers, with swell for the loose pile.
Dug soil takes more space than soil in the ground. Common earth swells about 25%, so 1 yd³ in the ground becomes 1.25 yd³ in the pile. Twelve 18 in × 48 in holes remove 3.14 yd³ of soil in place, which fills about 3.93 yd³ of truck bed or yard space.
The calculator helps plan spoil piles, haul-off and auger rental time.
What are the uses of Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Sonotube Excavation Volume Calculator.
Spoil disposal
Contractors size dumpsters or haul-off trips.
Auger rental
Owners estimate digging time from soil volume.
Site layout
Crews plan where spoil piles go.
Earthwork bids
Estimators price excavation by the yard.
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