The density of a material is defined as material mass per unit volume and designated by the symbol ρ (rho). The SI unit of density is kg / m3 and U.S. customary unit of density in lb/ft3. Density is an important characteristic property of a material and varies with temperature and pressure. Room temperature density values for some of the common materials including aluminium, steel, bronze, iron, brass, concrete, copper, gold, silver, invar, magnesium, nickel, timber, titanium and zinc are given in the following materials density chart.

Density is defined as the ratio of mass to volume

p = m/v

Units = kg/m3 or lb/ft3

Conversion: 1 kg/m3 = 0.624 lb/ft3

Density Values of Different Construction Materials

If two different materials are the same in weight, but their density of both may be different. Lower dense material occupies more volume than higher dense material. Density also decides the sinking property of the material. It is decided by knowing the density of the liquid. If the material has a lower density than liquid, then it will float on the surface of the liquid. If it is denser than the liquid, it will sink.

For example, water has a density of 1000kg/m3, if we place bamboo wood (350kg/m3) on the water it will float on water surface similarly if we drop a brick (1700 kg.m3) it will sink into the water. The density value of construction material will also help to find out the quantity of material needed for a particular space.

Unit weight or density of different construction materials are tabulated below.

S.No.

Construction Materials

Density (Kg/m3)

Density (lb/ft3)

1Water100062.43
Wood (various types)
2Balsa17010.6
3Bamboo300 – 40018.7 – 25
4Pine370 – 53023 – 33
5Cedar38023.7
6Aspen42026.2
7Willow wood42026.2
8African mahogany495 – 85031 – 53
9Honduras mahogany54534
10American red wood45028
11European red wood51031.8
12Spruce (Canadian)45028
13Spruce (Sitka)45028
14Afromosia70544
15apple660 – 83041.2 – 51.8
16Ash (black)54033.7
17Ash (white)67041.8
18Birch67041.8
19Ebony960 – 112059.9 – 69.9
20Elm600 – 81537.4 – 50.8
21Iroko65540.9
22Larch59036.8
23Maple75547.1
24Oak590 – 93036.8 – 58
25Teak630 – 72039.3 – 44.9
26Sycamore59036.8
27Lignam vitae1280 – 137079.9 -85.5
28Sandy soil1800112.3
29Clay soil1900118.6
30Gravel soil2000124.8
31Sandstone2000124.8
32Silt2100131
33Chalk2100131
34Shale2500156
35Sedimentary rocks2600162.3
36Metamorphic rocks2700168.5
37Igneous rocks (felsic)2700168.5
38Igneous rocks (mafic)3000187.2
39Bricks1500-180093.64 -112.3
40Asphalt72145
41Cement144089.8
42Cement mortar2080129.8
43Lime64039.9
44Lime mortar1760109.8
45Concrete (P.C.C)2400149.8
46Concrete (R.C.C)2500156
47Steel7850490
48Stainless steel7480 – 8000466.9 – 499.4
49Aluminum2739170.9
50Magnesium1738108.4
51Cobalt8746545.9
52Nickel8908556.1
53Tin7280454.4
54Lead11340707.9
55Zinc7135445.4
56Cast iron7208449.9
57Copper8940558.1
58Iron7850490
59Glass2580161

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