Density of Building Materials

Density of Different Construction Materials

Density of construction materials are its mass per unit volume of materials. It is expressed in kg/m3 or lb/ft3 and shows compactness of building material.

Density is also called as unit weight of substance. It is represented by symbol called row (p). Density represents the degree of compactness of material. If the material is of more density, it is more compacted material.

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 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 material. It is decided by knowing the density of liquid. If the material has lower density than liquid, then it will float on the surface of liquid. If it is more density than liquid, it will sink.

For example water has a density of 1000kg/m3 , if we place bamboo wood (350kg/m3) on water it will float on water surface similarly if we drop a brick (1700 kg.m3) it will sink into the water.

Density value of construction material will also help to find out the quantity of material needed for particular space.

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

S.No.	Construction Materials	Density (Kg/m3)	Density (lb/ft3)
1	WATER	1000	62.43
	Wood (various types)
2	Balsa	170	10.6
3	Bamboo	300 – 400	18.7 – 25
4	Pine	370 – 530	23 – 33
5	Cedar	380	23.7
6	Aspen	420	26.2
7	Willow wood	420	26.2
8	African mahogany	495 – 850	31 – 53
9	Honduras mahogany	545	34
10	American red wood	450	28
11	European red wood	510	31.8
12	Spruce (Canadian)	450	28
13	Spruce (Sitka)	450	28
14	Afromosia	705	44
15	apple	660 – 830	41.2 – 51.8
16	Ash (black)	540	33.7
17	Ash (white)	670	41.8
18	Birch	670	41.8
19	Ebony	960 – 1120	59.9 – 69.9
20	Elm	600 – 815	37.4 – 50.8
21	Iroko	655	40.9
22	Larch	590	36.8
23	Maple	755	47.1
24	Oak	590 – 930	36.8 – 58
25	Teak	630 – 720	39.3 – 44.9
26	Sycamore	590	36.8
27	Lignam vitae	1280 – 1370	79.9 -85.5
28	Sandy soil	1800	112.3
29	Clay soil	1900	118.6
30	Gravel soil	2000	124.8
31	Sandstone	2000	124.8
32	Silt	2100	131
33	Chalk	2100	131
34	Shale	2500	156
35	Sedimentary rocks	2600	162.3
36	Metamorphic rocks	2700	168.5
37	Igneous rocks (felsic)	2700	168.5
38	Igneous rocks (mafic)	3000	187.2
39	Bricks	1500-1800	93.64 -112.3
40	Asphalt	721	45
41	Cement	1440	89.8
42	Cement mortar	2080	129.8
43	Lime	640	39.9
44	Lime mortar	1760	109.8
45	Concrete (P.C.C)	2400	149.8
46	Concrete (R.C.C)	2500	156
47	Steel	7850	490
48	Stainless steel	7480 – 8000	466.9 – 499.4
49	Aluminum	2739	170.9
50	Magnesium	1738	108.4
51	Cobalt	8746	545.9
52	Nickel	8908	556.1
53	Tin	7280	454.4
54	Lead	11340	707.9
55	Zinc	7135	445.4
56	Cast iron	7208	449.9
57	Copper	8940	558.1
58	Iron	7850	490
59	Glass	2580	161