Commonly used cement, sand and gravel mixtures

Materials Volume Ratio

Contruction

Materials Required
Cement
(sacks)

Cement

Sand

Gravel

Normal static loads, no rebar, not

exposed

4.2

Foundations and walls, normal

static loads, exposed

2.5

5.6

Basement walls

2.5

5.6

Basement walls, waterproof

2.5

3.5

5.9

Floors, light duty, driveways,

sidewalks

2.5

Reinforced roads, walls, exposed

High strength, floors, columns

1 CY = 1 cubic yards = 0.7646 m3 = 27 ft3

avel mixtures
Materials Required
Gravel
Sand (CY)
(CY)
0.5

0.95

0.45

0.9

0.5

0.8

0.55

0.8

Recommended thickness of concrete slabs

Driveways
Side walks, barn and granny floors
Porches, Home garage floors
Farm building floors, Home basement floors

d thickness of concrete slabs

6 - 8 inches ( 0.15 - 0.2 m)
5 - 6 inches (0.125 - 0.15 m)
4 - 5 inches (0.1 - 0.125 m)
4 inches (0.1 m)

Typical Concrete Masonry Units - CMU - dimensions

Standard Blocks
Nominal Size (in)
4 x 8 x 16
6 x 8 x 16
8 x 8 x 16
10 x 8 x 16
12 x 8 x 16

Actual Size (in)

3-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8
5-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8
7-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8
9-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8
11-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 15-5/8

Half Blocks
Nominal Size (in)
4x8x8
6x8x8
8x8x8
12 x 8 x 8

Actual Size (in)

3-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 7-5/8
5-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 7-5/8
7-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 7-5/8
11-5/8 x 7-5/8 x 7-5/8