Enter the radius, height, and density of the material into the calculator to estimate the load (weight/force) of the material filling a Sonotube (for example, fresh concrete). This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known. Note: this estimates the contained material load, not the structural load-bearing “capacity” of a Sonotube or finished concrete column.
Sonotube Material Load (Weight) Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the weight (force) of material filling a Sonotube-shaped cylinder (for example, wet concrete). It does not represent the structural load-bearing capacity of a Sonotube form or finished concrete column.
L = (π * r^2 * h * d * g) / 1000
Variables:
- L is the load (weight/force) of the contained material (kN)
- π is a constant (approximately 3.14159)
- r is the radius of the filled cylinder (m)
- h is the height of the filled cylinder (m)
- d is the density of the material (kg/m^3)
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (≈ 9.80665 m/s^2)
To calculate the load (weight) of material in a Sonotube, multiply the square of the radius by the height and the density. Multiply this result by π to get the mass of the material (in kg). Multiply by g to convert mass to force in Newtons (N). Finally, divide by 1000 to convert Newtons to kilonewtons (kN).
What is a Sonotube Load?
In this context, a “Sonotube load” means the weight (force) of the material inside a Sonotube form (commonly fresh concrete) based on its volume and density. A Sonotube itself is a cylindrical form used to shape concrete; the true structural capacity of a finished concrete column depends on concrete strength, reinforcement, column slenderness/buckling, end conditions, and bearing/soil conditions, and is not determined by the simple volume × density calculation.
How to Calculate Sonotube Load?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Sonotube material load (weight):
- First, determine the radius of the filled cylinder (r) in meters.
- Next, determine the height of the filled cylinder (h) in meters.
- Next, determine the density of the material (d) in kg/m^3.
- Next, use the formula from above: L = (π * r^2 * h * d * g) / 1000.
- Finally, calculate the material load (L) in kN.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
radius of the Sonotube (r) = 0.5 m
height of the Sonotube (h) = 2 m
density of the material (d) = 1500 kg/m^3
Using g = 9.80665 m/s^2: Volume = π(0.5)^2(2) ≈ 1.5708 m^3, mass ≈ 2356.2 kg, so load L ≈ 23.11 kN.
