calcs.homes
calcs.homes
Enter the area you need to cover and pick a stone class to find tons of rip rap needed for embankment or drainage erosion control.
Estimate only — check your erosion control plan for the required stone class and layer thickness.
We multiply area (length × width) by the layer thickness tied to your chosen stone class — 12 in for Class 1, 18 in for Class 2, 24 in for Class 3 — to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards. That volume is multiplied by rip rap's typical bulk density of about 1.5 tons per cubic yard (1.78 tonnes per cubic meter in metric) to arrive at the weight to order.
Larger stone classes call for a thicker layer because bigger rock needs more vertical room to interlock into a stable, self-draining mass rather than sitting as a single loose row that can wash out. The 1.5 tons per cubic yard figure is a standard field estimate contractors use for angular rip rap stone — actual density varies somewhat by rock type, so your supplier's quoted weight may differ slightly from this estimate.
It depends on water flow velocity and embankment slope — Class 1 suits low-flow ditches, Class 2 handles moderate flow like most residential drainage, and Class 3 is for higher-energy areas like stream banks. A site-specific erosion control plan can confirm the right class.
Usually yes — geotextile fabric under the stone keeps soil from washing up through the gaps, which extends the life of the erosion control installation significantly.