Measurements & Calculations
Our application calculations require
your accurate measurements.
Good 4 Dirt, Dust & Soil Solutions does not assume any responsibility for website calculator estimation results used for project orders. Your measurements and our website calculators are meant for estimation purposes only. Always consult with your contractor and with qualified sales representatives for all project materials prior to finalizing any sales orders.
How to make accurate measurements
First, a few basic TOOLS are needed.
You will need several basic tools to take and record accurate measurements. We strongly recommend personal confirmation of width, length and average depth measurement. So, first, you will need a pen/pencil and a sheet of paper on a clipboard, or notebook to record each measurement.
Second, you will need a screwdriver with a measuring tape or a garden trowel to accurately probe down to the hard base material. These will allow you to take accurate depth measurements. Third, you will need a sufficient tape measure, measuring wheel, or distance laser to determine the width and length, or the radius /diameter of a round-pen, or the inner and outer walls/track of a walker. So, those are the tools needed to make accurate measurements.
Second, accurate multiple depth measurements must be made.
With use, “footing” is naturally pushed to the outer edges of an arena. So, you will need to take multiple measurements.
Start at one end of the arena. You will walk the length of the arena. Begin about 10 feet in from the length wall, fence or edge, and 5 feet in from the width wall, fence or edge. Take the first depth measurement using a probe or garden trowel by pushing it downward through the “footing”. Eventually, strong resistance will be encountered when the tip of the probe or trowel touches the hardened “base”. Record the depth of the footing at this location to the nearest 1/4 inch. Then advance parallel to the length-wall of the arena, stopping every 10 paces and repeating the process. The last measurement and recording should be at or within 10 feet of the other end’s width wall, fence, or edge. At this point, 1/3 of the depth measurements and recordings are complete.
Now, move over to the centerline of the arena. Repeat the entire process. Take depth measurement about every 10 or so paces and record them too. At the other end of arena, all the centerline recordings are complete, and two-thirds of the depth measurements are now completed.
Finally, move over towards the other length wall, fence or edge about 10 feet away from it. Repeat the process and record the results. And, at this point, all depth measurements have been taken and recorded.
Third, the "footing's" surface needs to be smooth and level.
If the footing's surface is rough, has hoof prints, or otherwise uneven for any reason, then it needs to be smoothed out before measuring the depth at that location. This can be easily accomplished. just use your hand or a garden trowel if you have one, and smooth over the area before taking a measurement to record.
In the photo above, it may or may not be able to obtain an accurate depth measurement.
In the photo to the right, it is a "better practice" to simply level the surrounding area as shown. Just smooth-off the higher and fill-in the adjacent lower areas before measuring and recording it.
Fourth, be precise. Being "off a little", is being "off a lot"! The single most important measurement is ALWAYS accurately determining Average Depth!
To make accurate dust suppression CALCULATIONS AND ESTIMATES for any area (any arena, any round-pen, stall, run, walker or paddock etc) requires recording accurate measurements. Most arenas, stalls and runs are rectangles (square is a special rectangle) with or without rounded corners. It is critical to accurately know the VOLUME and PHYSICAL CONDITION of material to be treated. SURFACE AREA for rectangular arenas, stalls and runs with right-angled corners is calculated by multiplying the width times the length. If the corners are rounded/ curved, it too can be calculated. SURFACE AREA for circles such as round-pens or walkers uses the formula pi*r2. VOLUME is determined by multiplying surface area times “average depth” of the loose material. Accurately determining the average depth measurement is critical. Being off true-measurements “by a little” can result in being off “by a lot,” as explained below.
Measurements can ONLY lead to one of three possible outcomes. The first outcome is an “under-application”. The second outcome is an “optimum economical application”. And, the third outcome is an “over-application”. The first application is called the “initial” application. Follow-up applications are called “maintenance” applications. With use, the footing is crushed into smaller and finer particles under the hoof of the horse. This exposure creates more surface area. Arena Rx’s superior viscosity-indexing allows it to self migrate over these newly exposed surface areas. However, eventually with ongoing use, customer’s are encouraged to call for a maintenance application on an as-need basis. These maintenance applications usually happen when dust “first” begins to reappear. Since Arena Rx does not evaporate and remains in and on the footing particles, maintenance applications require fewer gallons than the initial application. With an initial optimum economic application, the time until the first maintenance application is about 12 – 14 months, sometimes less, sometimes more based on several other factors.
In general, we are here to listen, to ask questions, so we can best understand the specific needs and the goals that the customer wants to achieve. Usually, a customer prefers an optimum, economical dust control application that has long-term significant benefits. Although uncommon, a customer may knowingly and deliberately prefer to purchase more product (e.g., considered as an over-application amount). This strategy is usually based on future savings related to freight costs, something similar. Even more-rare is the customer who knowingly and deliberately purchases less than the optimal economical application amount. In this situation they only need a short-term benefit. Regardless, in all situations, we can explain the advantages and the disadvantages, so the customer can make an informed decision.
On the other hand, when a customer actually wants and optimum economical application, but provides inaccurate information or measurements, it can lead to an unintended over-application or under-application. Since Arena Rx “Clean Air for Horse and Rider does not evaporate, the results of an over application simply extends the time between an initial and a follow-up maintenance application. Conversely, the results of an under application shortens the time until a maintenance application is needed. So, “Being off true-measurements “by a little” can result in being off “by a lot,” is explained. For example purposes only, let’s presume the “true” overall average depth is 3.0″. However, it is measured and reported as 2.5″. This GIGO number (a poor quality input number will always produce a faulty output number) is then entered into calculations. Result is a 17% under-estimation and application of the “true” gallons actually needed for an optimal economical application. With all other factors being equal, this means a “maintenance application will be needed sooner. On the other hand, it is measured and reported as 3.5”. This GIGO number is then entered into calculations. Result is a 12.5% over-estimation and application of the “true” gallons actually needed for an optimal economical application. With all other factors being equal, this means the time will be extended until a “maintenance application” is needed.
From 2004 to 2014, I personally experimented on my own arena to observe timeline variations between deliberate under-applications, deliberate optimum-economical applications, and in 2010 one deliberate over-application. By doing this, I have real-world, first-hand knowledge of the outcomes.
In summary, it all starts with and requires accurate measurements! We are happy to discuss your dust suppression or soil stabilization issues and answer your question.
We then take the information presented to us by the potential customer, apply objective specialized formulas and enter additional information into one or more spreadsheets. The enter button is tapped, the data is crunch and a recommendation is generated to best meet the customer’s specific needs. It is then written into an estimate and presented to the customer for their consideration.