80 lb Bag of Concrete Cubic Feet Uses in Construction Explained in Detail

How much does an 80 lb bag of concrete cubic feet provide the material for the construction? Why is this size considered to be standard size in the quantity of concrete bags available?  These questions are most highlighted when someone is planning to buy a concrete bag for their construction project.  The first and foremost thing they ask is about the production of the material and the quantity.  So let’s answer some of your questions related to 80 lb bags of concrete and how much it produces in cubic feet. 

What is an 80 lb Bag of Concrete & How much does it Produce in Cubic Feet?

The bags’ concrete are usually the premixed form of concrete. It includes raw cement, gravel and sand mixture in the correct ratio. We can say that it is ready to use concrete form that just requires water to make the paste and use for fast construction work. An 80 lb concrete bag is considered a standard sized bag of concrete pre-mixed volume. This is usually purchased for small and medium scale construction work. Being a standard size it is also said to be quite economical than most of the smaller sized bags. Moreover, it has the correct mix of ratios, so that you don’t need to guess the separate ratio or add anything to make it perfect for use. When an 80 lb concrete bag mixture is mixed with water to make the fine paste, it produces 0.6 cubic feet of concrete. 

80 lb Bag of Concrete Cubic Feet to Cubic Yard

As highlighted above, an 80 lb bag of concrete produces 0.6 cubic feet of mixed concrete. This is the measurement in cubic feet and in most areas concrete volume and placing is measured in cubic yards. This is why it is equally necessary to understand the coverage in cubic yards.  So, if we take it mathematically, we know that 1 cubic yard makes 27 cubic feet and to find out the 0.6 cubic feet to cubic yards, we have to divide 27 by 0.6. This will show us the answer to find how many 80 lb bags make one cubic yard. The answer is around 45 bags. This means if your project needs one cubic yard of concrete, you will need 45 bags of 80 lb concrete to complete it.  This is why it is important to understand these conversions because these help you plan your material requirement accurately for any type of project either big or small.

Tips for Buying and Using 80 lb Concrete Bags

An 80 lb bag of concrete is quite heavy and provides a fair amount of material for small and medium construction work. However, when you have planned to use it, there are a few things you should know before and after buying this and also before mixing it with water.  These tips are must to know soyou can handle the material of the bag properly and without causing any waste of your money and your material. 

Buy a Few Extra Bags

Don’t go with the estimated amount only. Always get one or two extra 80 lb bags of concrete than your calculated need. This is necessary for several reasons which include:

• To cover small variation in the layering place 
• To level the ground before concrete placement
• Minor or major losses during preparation 

These are some of the times the purchased quantity can affect your total requirements and an extra purchase can prove helpful and can also save you from stopping work in the middle of the project.

Check the Bag Condition Before Buying

Inspect the bags carefully before purchase. This muight seem a silly thing but actually it is the most needed thing. Most newbies in the field have the least idea of buying the concrete bag.  Concrete gets harder as soon as it comes in touch with water. The bag becomes heavier than its actual weight. This is why it is always necessary to know the tips befor buying the bag. 

• Avoid buying any 80 lb bag of concrete that feels hard. 
• Avoid the bags that have clumps, or appear torn. 

These two points clearly show that moisture has entered the bag, and the material has partially set.

Store the Bags in a Dry and Covered Place

So, after buying the bag, it is equally important to store it in a better place where moisture could not enter the bag to spoil it.  One thing you must know is concrete absorbs moisture quickly. This is why it is a must step to keep or store your 80 lb concrete bags in a dry, shaded area. Also place them over some table, stool or any other material to raise slightly off the ground and save the mositue seeping inside the bag.  Moreover, if you have plans to store your sacks for long, cover them with a plastic sheet to prevent moisture from reaching the surface.

Handle with  Care 

Handle the bag with care. The bags are not quite durable and 80 lb is a heavy amount to carry. If there are multiple bags and each bag weighs 80 pounds, lift with proper support or use a wheelbarrow.  Moreover, never plan to handle it alone. It is best to handle bags with two people and on an uneven ground never plan to handle it alone or you will risk strain or injury.

Prepare Only What You Can Use Immediately

No need to pour water in the entire material of the bag because once you add water, concrete starts setting and if the material is left, the concrete goes away just after a few minutes.  This is the reason, always prepare only the amount you can place and finish within about 30 to 45 minutes. The best is to prepare in batches that could be used immediately. This way you can save the left raw material for further use and also save your money and material going wasted.

Measure Water Accurately

Never follow any guideline blindly and add water in one go. The best tip here is to add water gradually and set the consistency of the paste yourself. It is the fact that adding too much or too little water affects concrete strength.   It is best to ask an expert at this point or follow the instructions on the bag. If you are pouring water in the complete 80 lb mixture then as per the required amount, it is around 3 to 4 gallons of water for one 80 lb bag.  Again, it is recommended to add a little water gradually until the mix reaches a workable but firm consistency.

Keep All Tools and Molds Ready Before Preparation

Before you open the bags, keep all your tools, molds, and surface area ready. Concrete hardens fast as soon as it is mixed with water. This is why it is necessary to have everything arranged beforehand. This not only saves time and your effort but also prevents the material from getting wasted after getting hard.

Work in Moderate Weather

Construction and concrete placement work should only be done in moderate weather. One should always avoid working under direct sunlight or heavy rain because these two weather conditions are notsuitabe for construction tasks. Moreover, such weather conditions can also affect how your 80 lb concrete bag sets.  It is better to work in hot weather but in shaded areas. Moreover, use cool, and clean water to slow the setting time.

Clean Tools Immediately After Use

Cleanliness is necessary at every part of the work. To save your tools for further use, it is best recommended to clean them immediately after use. The reason is concrete hardens quickly and can damage your tools if not cleaned right away. It gets stuck to the tools and when hardened, it is difficult to remove the concrete from them. So, rinse everything with clean water soon after you finish your project. 

Follow Safety Steps

Wear gloves and a mask when handling concrete. The dry powder can irritate your skin and eyes. Follow other essential safety tips to make your work easy. Don’t forget to read the safety tips on the bag and also read its manufacturing and expiry date for better use. So these are just a few tips that you should follow while working with concrete or while buying a bag of concrete material for your construction. 

Ending Note 

An 80 lb bag of concrete gives 0.6 cubic feet of concrete for the construction project. An 80 lb bag is known as the standard sized bag that is available easily at the market and at every brand and retailer.  The bag contains premixed concrete which is mixed with water and produces the concrete volume for 0.6 cubic feet area coverage. When you are buying concrete bags check for its freshness, and the correct way of preparation. Moreover, store the bags properly for further use. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 80 lb bags of concrete per cubic foot?

One 80 lb bag of concrete has a fixed amount of dry mix. When you add water, it produces 0.6 cubic feet of hard concrete. If your project requires 1 full cubic foot and you want to know how many bags will make up that much concrete. So, 1 cubic foot ÷ 0.6 cubic feet per bag = 1.66 bags That means one bag is not enough for a full cubic foot. It will only cover about 60% of it. So, to get one full cubic foot, you will need around one and two-thirds  80 lb bags which is 1.66 bags.

How to calculate cubic feet of concrete?

Take the measurement of the area’s length, width and thickness where you want to lay the concrete. Use the unit ft for eah measurement. Multiply the three dimensions and you will get the cubic feet of concrete.

How many 80 lb bags make one cubic yard? 

45 bags of 80 lb makes one cubic yard. This means you will need 45 bags of 80 lb concrete pre-mixed mixture to cover one cubic yard of area.