The construction industry is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape that presents a number of challenges. There are many different types of construction projects, and each one will have its own set of storage, handling, and transportation processes. For example, some jobs will require more specialized materials than others – such as large equipment or building materials that need to be delivered on time.
On such occasions, bulk bags come in handy. If you are in the construction industry and especially in cement production, you want to have bulk bags of sand that will ensure your end product will reach end consumers in the safest manner possible. So this article answers all your questions about bulk bags.
Contents
How to make a bulk bag?
Bulk bags of FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) bags are specially designed to carry heavyweights. They are made with small polymer granules.
- The first step is to create the thread by melting plastics like Polypropylene (PP) resin and other additives. They are fed into an extruder to produce PP tapes of varying lengths and thicknesses. The melted resin forms PP sheets stretched by rollers and then cut into 3-inch lengths to form the tape.
- These giant bobbins loaded with tape are then weaved into FIBC fabric on looms that can produce circular-shaped bags or U-panels, depending on the type of FIBC bag required.
- Fabric that needs to be water and dirt resistant is vacuumed to remove dust particles before passing it over a static eliminator. The final product then enters the lamination process, which involves a protective polypropylene coating and other additives. Of note, breathable bags are not coated.
- Then, a computer program controls the precision cutting of woven fabric from the rolls into sizes for different bag assembly steps. Before the bags are sewn, a custom printing process uses approved ink that dries quickly and doesn’t smudge.
- Finally, highly-trained staff sew the fabric together to create each bulk bag and complete the manufacturing process.
The produced bags go through a quality control system and check whether the bags meet the required specification and safety workloads and can protect both their contents and the people handling them.
How to handle a bulk bag of sand?
The bulk bag of sand normally has four handles. If you want to move the bulk bag around the site, use a forklift to move the bag through the handles.
The material and loops can be customized in size to fit your lifting and transportation equipment. There is a wide variety of lifting options for cranes, forklifts, or hoists. These options include cross corner loops, stevedore straps, and wear pads.
Size of a bulk bag of sand
A package of a bulk bag of sand is one-third of a cubic yard or 0.33 of a cubic yard. So three bulk bags of sands is equal to one cubic yard.
In general, the formula for bulk bags is:
Volume = length × width × height.
A bag with the dimensions of 35x35x35cm (i.e., L x W x H) can fit about 42,875 cubic inches; or about 25 cubic feet of volume. Bags with larger dimensions offer increased capacity.
Weight of a bulk bag of sand
The bulk bags are designed to handle heavy loads of construction products up to 8,000lbs with a 6:1 safe working load. For instance, to address lift loops, tears, and frays, there are ways to reinforce the materials in those areas for increased durability.
The nominal weight of 850kg to 855kg is the weight when bagging a bulk bag. Water retention from rain may make the bag weigh more. It weighs approximately 900 pounds.
Number of 25kg bags in a bulk bag
A bulk bag of sand generally weighs around 850kg which yields 0.5 m3. If you divide 850 by 25, you will get 34. So there are 34 bags of 25kg bags in a bulk bag.
The number of poly bags is in a bulk bag.
A bulk bag of sand is equivalent to 42.5 poly bags.
Differentiating sand by color
Yellow sand is a type of sand used in the construction process to help make bricks, blocks, and pools. It is used as a base for pools that are above-ground because the sand can be packed together and holds water very well. The yellow color comes from a high phosphorus content, which gives it its strength.
White sands are gravels consisting of calcium carbonate, with the earth forming a thin crust. White sands are used as a white pigment in mortar mixes for light-colored (off-white) mortar mixes. For block & bricklaying, they are mixed with off-white and pure-white cement.
Plasterers sand is fine grade sand suitable for solid plastering/rendering of all brick. It blocks walls, creating a smooth and free of coffee rock and impurities to help eliminate bleeding once the surface has been primed and painted. Plasterers sand is fine-grade sand suitable for solid plastering and rendering of all brick and block walls. It creates a smooth surface, free of coffee rock and impurities, and eliminates the need to bleed after priming. Plaster Sand can also be used for artificial beaches and for creating volleyball courts. It is also cheaper, making it a great alternative to save some money.
Taking care of your bulk bag
Concerned about the safety of your bulk bags of sand? We’ve got you covered in this section.
Your aggregate products, which are often stored in an environment with exposure to moisture or ultraviolet light, may be packaged in construction bags that have been designed to withstand this type of environment.
Bulk bags left outside for longer than 3 days without being wrapped up in a shroud or cover are exposed to the elements and can become structurally compromised. This may result in the loops on the bags easily falling apart or tearing during use, causing accidents and spillage.
Remember that UV light can damage the packaging, so it is a good idea to consider using UV additives in the material’s resin batch or switching to black bulk bags to increase UV resistance.
Sharp edges can quickly tear lifting straps, so make sure your handling equipment is free of sharp edges. Forklift tines and crane hooks are often the culprits in this circumstance.
