Crushed Concrete Calculator uses external sources when a calculator, estimator, or technical explanation depends on information that cannot be derived from basic mathematics alone.
Our goal is to use reliable, relevant, and preferably primary sources so users can understand where important technical values come from.
Why Sources Matter
Some calculations are based on standard mathematics.
For example:
Volume = Length × Width × Thickness
does not require a manufacturer or industry source because it is a basic geometric formula.
Other information may vary by product, manufacturer, material, testing method, or technical guidance.
Examples include:
- Concrete bag yield
- Product coverage
- Recommended application thickness
- Material properties
- Concrete strength information
- Mix specifications
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Industry guidance
- Technical standards
For these types of values, reliable source information becomes important.
Our Source Preference
When practical, we prefer primary sources.
These may include:
- Concrete manufacturer technical data sheets
- Official manufacturer product pages
- ASTM International
- American Concrete Institute
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- Government engineering publications
- Federal Highway Administration resources
- State transportation department documentation
- Recognized concrete and masonry industry organizations
- Academic or technical publications
Primary sources are generally preferred because they provide information closer to the organization responsible for the specification, product, standard, or guidance.
Manufacturer Information
Concrete products can vary even when they are sold in similar bag sizes.
For example, two 80 lb concrete products may not necessarily publish exactly the same mixed yield.
When a calculator depends on product-specific information, we aim to identify the manufacturer and use the published value for that product.
Typical manufacturer information may include:
- Bag weight
- Approximate yield
- Coverage
- Recommended thickness
- Water requirements
- Strength information
- Application instructions
Users should always check the packaging or current manufacturer documentation for the exact product being used.
Standards Organizations
Some technical subjects may reference recognized standards organizations.
Depending on the topic, these may include:
ASTM International
ASTM publishes technical standards and test methods used across construction and materials industries.
Where an ASTM standard is relevant, we aim to reference it accurately rather than inventing or guessing a standard number.
American Concrete Institute
The American Concrete Institute publishes technical guidance, codes, reports, and educational material related to concrete design, construction, materials, and practice.
ACI information may be relevant for technical explanations, but calculator pages should not imply code compliance unless the tool is specifically designed and reviewed for that purpose.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association provides technical and educational information related to ready-mixed concrete production, performance, ordering, and placement.
Government Sources
Government publications can be useful for technical information involving infrastructure, concrete materials, testing, transportation, or engineering practices.
Potential sources may include:
- Federal Highway Administration
- State Departments of Transportation
- Other government engineering agencies
- Public technical manuals and specifications
Government information is used where it directly supports the topic being discussed.
Source Verification
Before using an external value, we aim to check:
- Who published it
- Whether the source is relevant to the calculation
- Whether the information applies to the specific product or situation
- Whether the source appears current
- Whether another primary source provides better information
- Whether the value is being interpreted correctly
A citation should support the actual statement or number attached to it.
What We Do Not Do
We do not intentionally:
- Invent sources
- Invent ASTM numbers
- Invent ACI documents
- Invent manufacturer specifications
- Cite unrelated pages simply to appear authoritative
- Use competitor websites as the only basis for important technical values
- Present product-specific values as universal constants
- Copy proprietary tables without permission
A source should exist because it improves accuracy or transparency, not because a page looks more impressive with a reference list attached to the bottom.
Mathematical Facts vs. External Data
We distinguish between different types of information.
Mathematical Facts
Examples include:
- Area formulas
- Volume formulas
- Percentage calculations
- Basic arithmetic
Standard Unit Conversions
Examples include:
- 12 inches = 1 foot
- 3 feet = 1 yard
- 27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard
Estimating Assumptions
Examples may include:
- Waste allowance
- Extra ordering percentage
- User-entered cost assumptions
These should normally be visible and adjustable where practical.
Manufacturer-Specific Data
Examples include:
- Concrete bag yield
- Product coverage
- Product application limits
These should be linked to the relevant manufacturer when possible.
Engineering or Code Requirements
These may depend on:
- Project type
- Location
- Building code
- Loads
- Soil
- Climate
- Structural design
Our general calculators do not automatically determine these requirements.
Updating Sources
External information can change.
Manufacturers may:
- Revise technical sheets
- Change product formulations
- Update packaging
- Change published yields
- Move or remove webpages
Industry and government publications may also be updated.
During page reviews, we may check whether important source links and technical values are still current.
Broken or Outdated Sources
If you find a broken source link or believe a referenced value is outdated, please contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Please include the page URL and, if possible, the source or updated information you believe should replace it.
Source Transparency
Where practical, calculator pages should explain what a source supports.
For example, instead of simply listing a manufacturer at the bottom of a page, we may explain that the manufacturer source supports a specific bag yield or product specification.
This makes it easier for users to verify the information themselves.
Our Source Standard
Our approach is simple:
Use primary sources when possible, cite only what supports the calculation, separate mathematics from assumptions, and never invent technical authority.