HOW TO CALCULATE THE QUANTITY OF PLASTER
QUANTITY OF PLASTER CALCULATION
The quantity of plaster calculation is very easy just need your concentration. The following points you
always remember at the site when you need to calculate the plaster quantity means (water, cement and
sand).
For wall plaster generally ratio we use = 1: 6 (1 part of cement and 6 part of sand).
For Roof plaster mainly ratio we use = 1: 4 (1 part of cement and 4 part of sand).
The thickness of plaster is between = 12 mm to 15 mm.
Always use Good quality of cement (Different grades of cement) as well as good quality sand.
Always use measuring box for measuring the quantity of sand and cement at the site.
For your better understanding let’s solve this example and find the results.
EXAMPLE:
Suppose we have an Area of the 200-meter square (Length, Width) over that area we need to perform
plaster and the ratio of cement and sand we are using 1: 4 and the thickness of plaster will be 13 mm.
1. So calculate the required quantity of water, Cement and Sand use in this plaster?
GIVEN DATA:
Plaster Thickness = 13 mm = 0.013 m <Remarks 1 m = 1000 mm>
Area = 200 meter square
Ratio = 1: 4
Quantity =?
SOLUTION:
First, we calculate the volume of the plaster (Wet volume) and the volume we calculated is a wet volume
(water+wastage+bulking of sand) then we convert this volume into the dry volume. After calculating the
volume we just find the quantity of cement, Sand and water required in this plasterwork according to
these given data.
The volume of cement mortar required = (Area of Plaster x Thickness)
Volume of cement mortar required = 200 x 0.013
Volume of cement mortar required = 2.6 (wet volume)
So 2.6-meter cube is a wet volume of cement mortar (with water). But we need dry volume to get dry
volume to consider 20% bulking of the sand and 15% Wastage of the sand at the site.
=2.6 meter cube x (1 + 0.2 + 0.15) <Remarks 20/100 % = 0.20 or just multiply by 1.35 >
=3.51 (dry Volume).
CEMENT REQUIRED:
Cement: = (Dry volume x Ratio x Density of cement)/Sum of ratio
Cement : = (3.51 x 1 x 1440)/5 < Density of cement is 1440 kg/meter cube >
Cement : = 1010.88 kg /50 < 1 bag of cement is 50 kg >
Cement : = 20.21 bags
SAND REQUIRED:
Sand : = (Dry volume x Ratio x 35.3147)/Sum of ratio
Sand : = (3.51 x 4 x 35.3147)/5 < 1 meter cube = 35.3147 cubic feet >
Sand : = 99.16 Cubic feet.
WATER REQUIRED:
Water : = (Weight of cement x water cement ratio)
Water : = 1010.88 x 0.5 < 0.5 kg water every 1 kg of Cement >
Water : = 505.4 kg or 505.4 Litters.
CONCLUSION:
Cement := 1010.88 kg
Sand: = 99.16 cubic feet
Water: = 505.4 Litters
So these quantities are going to use in a 13 mm thick plaster.
Note: The water-cement ratio 0.5 is not fixed it depends on the which type of plaster is going to do or the
compressive strength we get after fixing the water-cement ratio in 1: 4 mix.
The Manual Way
If you want to check your paint calculations, you can use the manual way, using the mano-mano formula:
((height x width) / coverage)) x number of coats
Sample Calculation of a Wall
Let’s say your ceiling height is 5 meters and the width of the wall is 10 meters. if you want to use Boysen
Permacoat Latex to paint your concrete wall, you will see from the product description that the product
coverage is 25 square meters. Assume further that you will paint 2 coats.
((5 meters x 10 meters) / 25 square meters)) x 2 coats
= (50 / 25) gallons x 2 coats
= 2 gallons x 2 coats
= 4 gallons
This means that for one coat, you would need 2 gallons/coat. But if you want to make two coats, then you
would be needing 4 gallons for the whole DIY project.
Since 1 gallon = 4 liters, you will be needing 16 liters to complete your project,
4 gallons x 4 liters = 16 liters
BOYSEN® Masonry Neutralizer #44
DESCRIPTION: BOYSEN® Masonry Neutralizer #44 is a liquid acidic substance that is to be mixed with
water to neutralize lime activity in new masonry surfaces.
COVERAGE: 20 sq.m./gallon of mixture
APPLICATION: paint brush or roller
PACKAGING: 3.785 liter, 946.25 ml, and 473.12 ml bottles
MIXING RATIO: 1 part BOYSEN® Masonry Neutralizer #44 to 16 parts clean water
PAINTING SCHEDULE:
1st step: Remove oil and grease by detergent cleaning.
2nd step: Apply diluted BOYSEN® Masonry Neutralizer and let stand overnight
3rd step: Rough sand surface to remove efflorescence salts
Caution: Adequate protection and ventilation should be provided when working with acids.
