A construction company estimates the volume of concrete to pour in a house foundation with rectangular slab containment sized as: length = 18.30 + / - 0.02 m; width = 12.20 + / - 0.02 m; height = 0.50 + / - 0.05 m. calculate the uncertainty of the necessary volume of concrete, and the amount that would not fall short for the job.

IF the estimates are 100% accurate, then the maximum volume of concrete is the product of the maximum dimensions, namely

Vmax=18.32*12.22*0.55=123.13 m^3

and the minimum volume of concrete is the product of the minimum dimensions

Vmin=18.28*12.18*0.45=100.19 m^3

the uncertainty is therefore 123.13-100.19=22.94 m^3

On the practical side, to this uncertainty must be added to

- squareness of the formwork

- evenness of the surface of the crushed stones on which the foundation sits on

- excess of concrete delivered by the truck

- volume of air bubbles trapped in the the concrete, ...