Finally Understand How Much A Cubic Yard of Asphalt Weighs
Asphalt is a commonly used paving material for driveways, parking lots, and roads. To determine how much asphalt you need for a paving project, it's essential to understand the weight per cubic yard.
Standard Asphalt Density Equals 4050 Pounds Per Cubic Yard
The standard density for hot asphalt mix is 145 pounds per cubic foot. With 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard, a cubic yard of asphalt weighs:
- 145 lbs/ft3 x 27 ft3/yd3 = 3,915 lbs/yd3
- Rounded to the nearest 50 lbs: 4,050 lbs/yd3
In metric units, the density equals 2,322 kilograms per cubic meter. Since a cubic yard is 0.765 cubic meters, the weight per cubic yard is:
- 2,322 kg/m3 x 0.765 m3/yd3 = 1,777 kg/yd3
- Equal to approximately 2.025 metric tons/yd3
Real-World Examples
Driveway Resurfacing Project
For a driveway resurfacing that is 20 ft wide by 50 ft long, or 1,000 sq ft in area, and needing an asphalt depth of 0.5 yards, we calculate:
- Area = 1,000 sq ft
- Asphalt depth = 0.5 yd
- 1,000 sq ft x 0.5 yd = 500 cu ft = 18.5 cubic yards
- 18.5 cubic yards x 4,050 lbs/yd3 = 74,925 lbs total weight
So you would need 74,925 lbs (about 37 tons) of asphalt for this driveway job.
Parking Lot Resurfacing
For a commercial parking lot measuring 150 ft by 100 ft, equal to 15,000 sq ft, needing 0.25 yards depth of asphalt, the math would be:
- Area = 15,000 sq ft
- Asphalt depth = 0.25 yd
- 15,000 sq ft x 0.25 yd = 3,750 cu ft = 139 cubic yards
- 139 cubic yards x 4,050 lbs/yd3 = 562,950 lbs total
You would need over 281 tons of asphalt for resurfacing this parking area.
What Impacts Asphalt Weight Per Cubic Yard
While the standard density is widely used, actual asphalt weight can vary based on:
Temperature Effects
Hot asphalt is more viscous and compact vs. cold asphalt. Colder temperatures cause the material to shrink, reducing the weight per cubic yard. Proper heating is vital for achieving maximum density.
Compaction Process
With thorough compaction, asphalt particles mesh tightly together without voids or air pockets. Poor compaction leaves empty spaces, decreasing the measured cubic yard weight.
Asphalt Mix Design
Mixes with higher percentages of stone aggregates weigh more than those with more sand and fines per cubic yard. The type and grading of aggregates impacts overall density.
Condition Over Time
Environmental wear and damage from traffic over time causes asphalt to thin and lose measured volume weight. Proper maintenance and repair keeps it dense and heavy.
How to Calculate Asphalt Requirements
Follow these steps for any paving project:
- Accurately measure the area needing pavement in square feet or yards.
- Determine the depth in yards based on use (driveways often 0.5 yards).
- Multiply area times depth to calculate cubic yards needed.
- Multiply cubic yards by 4,050 lbs/yd3 to get the asphalt weight in pounds.
- Divide by 2,000 lbs/ton to convert to tons required if needed.
Common Asphalt Measurement Conversions
Memorize these conversions when estimating materials:
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
- 1 ton = 2,000 pounds
- 1 cubic yard = 0.765 cubic meters
- 1 cubic meter = 1.31 cubic yards
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Tons Are in a Cubic Yard of Asphalt?
One cubic yard of compacted hot mix asphalt weighs 4,050 lbs, equivalent to 2.025 tons.
What Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
With a depth of one inch, one ton of asphalt covers approximately:
- 90-108 square feet
- 0.5 cubic yards
How Do I Calculate the Tons Needed?
Measure area in square units, choose depth in yards. Multiply to find total cubic yards required. Then multiply cubic yards by 2 tons per cubic yard to determine tons needed.
Now that you understand the standard weight per cubic yard for asphalt, you can accurately estimate the materials required for paving projects. With the right calculations, you'll get the exact tons, truckloads or cubic yards needed to complete driveway, parking lot or road jobs.