The contents of a heap of material, shaped as illustrated, can be found approximately by multiplying the length of the base by the width and by the perpendicular height H of the mass, and then dividing the final product by 2. If all of these measurements are in feet, the result will be in cubic feet. To determine the height in feet, when the length of the si ping side is given, square this length in feet and subtract the square of half the width, also in feet.

Then extract the square root of the remainder. Applying this to a heap 23 ft. long by 12ft. wide with a sloping side of Oft., the perpendicular height will be √81-36 = √45 = 6.7 ft., since the square of 9 is 81 12 and of 12/2=36. The contents will therefore equal 23 x 12 x 6.7 / 2 = 925 cub. ft. (say).

Determining Contents of Heaped Material.