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  "name": "How do you calculate concrete for a Sonotube (tube form)?",
  "description": "Use the cylinder formula: π × radius² × depth ÷ 27. A 10-inch diameter tube, 4 feet deep: 3.1416 × 0.417² × 4 ÷ 27 = 0.081 yards — about 6 bags of 60-lb mix. Buy one extra bag per tube; tubes are never perfectly round once backfilled.",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/answers/how-to-calculate-concrete-for-a-sonotube",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
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    "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi"
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  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "keywords": [
    "Concrete Cost Calculator",
    "Concrete Slab Cost Calculator",
    "Concrete Slab Material Calculator"
  ],
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  "json": {
    "type": "answer",
    "question": "How do you calculate concrete for a Sonotube (tube form)?",
    "shortAnswer": "Use the cylinder formula: π × radius² × depth ÷ 27. A 10-inch diameter tube, 4 feet deep: 3.1416 × 0.417² × 4 ÷ 27 = 0.081 yards — about 6 bags of 60-lb mix. Buy one extra bag per tube; tubes are never perfectly round once backfilled.",
    "tableTitle": "Bags per 4-foot tube by diameter",
    "columns": [
      "Tube diameter",
      "Volume (4 ft deep)",
      "60-lb bags"
    ],
    "rows": [
      {
        "label": "8 in",
        "value": "1.40 ft³",
        "note": "4 bags"
      },
      {
        "label": "10 in",
        "value": "2.18 ft³",
        "note": "6 bags"
      },
      {
        "label": "12 in",
        "value": "3.14 ft³",
        "note": "7 bags"
      },
      {
        "label": "16 in",
        "value": "5.59 ft³",
        "note": "13 bags"
      }
    ],
    "context": "Tube diameter follows the load: 8-inch for deck posts and mailboxes, 10–12 inch for deck beams and small structures, 16-inch+ for porch roofs and heavy loads — but the building department's frost depth and footing-size table is the authority. Set the tube 6 inches into a gravel base, brace it plumb before pouring, and rod the concrete (or tap the tube) as you fill to release air pockets that weaken the pier.",
    "methodology": "Cylinder volume at nominal tube diameters; bag counts at the published 0.45 ft³ yield for 60-lb mix, rounded up. Sizing guidance follows IRC R403 footing tables; local code governs.",
    "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
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        "label": "Concrete Cost Calculator",
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        "label": "Concrete Slab Cost Calculator",
        "to": "/concrete-slab-cost-calculator"
      },
      {
        "label": "Concrete Slab Material Calculator",
        "to": "/concrete-slab-material-calculator"
      }
    ],
    "relatedReading": [
      {
        "label": "Concrete for footings",
        "to": "/answers/how-to-calculate-concrete-for-footings"
      }
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}