Density of Cement, Sand and Aggregate
Density is also called the unit weight of a substance. It is represented by a symbol called a line (p). Density represents the degree of compactness of a material. If the material is of higher density, it is more compacted material.
The density of construction materials is their Mass per unit volume of materials. It is expressed in kg / m3 or lb / ft3 and shows the compactness of the construction material.
The density can be expressed as
p = m/V = 1/v
Where
- p = density [kg / m3], [slugs / ft3]
- m = mass [kg], [slugs]
- V = volume [m3], [ft3]
- v = specific volume [m3 / kg], [ft3 / slug]
- Conversion: 1 kg / m3 = 0.624 lb / ft3
Density of Cement
A cement is a binder, a substance used in construction that hardens, hardens and adheres to other materials to join them together. Cement is rarely used on its own, but to bond sand and gravel.
The cement mixed with fine aggregate produces mortar for masonry, or with sand and gravel, produces concrete.
First, density is the ratio of mass to volume. So it can be indicated in terms of kg / m3, which is 1440kg / m3 for cement. Therefore, density is found for materials and not for certain quantities.
Sand Density
The Density of Sand utility returns sand density based on sand conditions (wet/dry in bulk / packaged).
The density of the sand is affected if the sand is compacted (bulged) or loose and if it is wet or dry. When packed, the grains of sand are forced to form a narrower formation, and more matter is in the volume.
Natural sand i.e. locally available River sand having a bulk density of 1.71 kg/m3 was used for the construction (specific gravity is 2.65). This sand has the Fineness modulus of 5.24.
When the sand is wet, the water is in the sand, also affecting the total matter in the volume. The average density of the different sand conditions is as follows:
- Loose sand: 1442 kg / m3. It is dry sand that has been moved or agitated to loosen the natural packaging process.
- Dry sand: 1602 kg / m3. It is sand in its undisturbed natural form, where it has been partially compacted by rain and gravity over time, but is now dry
- Packed sand: 1682 kg / m3. Sand that has been packed manually or mechanically (compacted)
- Wet sand: 1922 kg / m3. This is the sand that has been in a natural and naturally compressed environment that is now wet.
- Wet packed sand: 2082 kg / m3. This is compacted sand that is also almost saturated with water.
Aggregate Density
The aggregate is an aggregation of non-metallic minerals obtained in the form of particles and can be processed and used in the construction of civil and road engineering.
Aggregates Are Mainly Classified into Two Categories:
- Fine aggregate
- Coarse aggregate
The fine aggregate is natural sand that has been washed and sieved to remove particles larger than 5 mm, and the coarse aggregate is a gravel that has been crushed, washed and sieved so that the particles vary from 5 to 50 mm in size.
The fine and coarse aggregate is delivered separately. As they need to be sieved, a prepared mixture of fine and coarse aggregate is more expensive than the natural all-in aggregate.
The reason for using a mixture of fine and coarse aggregate is that by combining them in the correct proportions, concrete with very few voids or spaces can be made, and this reduces the amount of comparatively expensive cement needed to produce strong concrete.
Bulk Density of Aggregate
The apparent density or unit weight of an aggregate is the Mass or weight of the aggregate needed to fill a container with a specified unit volume.
Bulk density = Mass / volume
Main features:
If the volume is one unit, Bulk density = Mass.
Unit in kg / m3 or lb / ft3.
In this definition, the volume contains the aggregates and the voids between the aggregate particles. The approximate apparent density of the aggregate that is commonly used in normal-weight concrete is between 1200-1750 kg / m3 (75-110 lb / ft3).
Here, the standard test method for determining the apparent density of aggregates is presented in the ASTM C 29 (AASHTO T 19) standard.
The relative density of aggregate
The relative density (specific gravity) of an aggregate is the ratio between its Mass and the Mass of an equal volume of water.
Relative density = Mass of the aggregate / Mass with an equal volume of water
Main features:
Most aggregates have a relative density between 2.4-2.9 with a corresponding particle density (Mass) of 2400-2900 kg / m3 (150-181 lb / ft3).
Here, for coarse aggregates, the standard test method was explained in ASTM C 127 (AASHTO), and, for fine aggregates, the standard test method was explained in ASTM C 128 (AASHTO).
The relative density of an aggregate can be determined on an oven-dried basis or on a dry saturated surface (SSD).
Density of Building Materials As Per IS 875 Part-1
Density of Civil Martials
| Construction Materials | Density (Kg /m3) | Density (lb/ft3) | Density (Kn /m3) |
| Cement | 1440 kg/m3 | 89.8 | 14.4 |
| Ordinary Cement | 1440 kg/m3 | 89.87 | 14.4 |
| Rapid Hardening Cement | 1280 kg/m3 | 79.87 | 12.8 |
| Sandstone | 2000 kg/m3 | 124.8 | 20 |
| Sludge | 2100 kg/m3 | 131 | 21 |
| Concrete (PCC) | 2400 kg/m3 | 149.8 | 24 |
| Concrete (RCC) | 2500 kg/m3 | 156 | 25 |
| Water | 1000 kg/m3 | 62.43 | 10 |
| Saline Water | 1025 kg/m3 | 63.96 | 10.25 |
| Ferry | 170 kg/m3 | 10.6 | 1.7 |
| Bamboo | 300 – 400 kg/m3 | 18.7 – 25 | 3.0 – 4.0 |
| Pine | 370 – 530 kg/m3 | 23 – 33 | 3.7 – 5.3 |
| Cedar | 380 kg/m3 | 23.7 | 3.8 |
| Aspen | 420 kg/m3 | 26.2 | 4.2 |
| Willow wood | 420 kg/m3 | 26.2 | 4.2 |
| African mahogany | 495 – 850 kg/m3 | 31 – 53 | 4.95 – 8.5 |
| Honduras mahogany | 545 kg/m3 | 34 | 5.45 |
| American redwood | 450 kg/m3 | 28 | 4.5 |
| European redwood | 510 kg/m3 | 31.8 | 5.1 |
| Fir (Canadian) | 450 kg/m3 | 28 | 4.5 |
| Fir (Sitka) | 450 kg/m3 | 28 | 4.5 |
| Aphromosia | 7.05 | ||
| apple | 660 – 830 kg/m3 | 1.2 – 51.8 | 6.6 – 8.3 |
| Gray (black) | 540 kg/m3 | 33.7 | 5.4 |
| Gray (white) | 670 kg/m3 | 41.8 | 6.7 |
| Birch | 670 kg/m3Â | 41.8 | 6.7 |
| Ebony | 960 – 1120 kg/m3 | 59.9 – 69.9 | 9.6 – 11.20 |
| Elm | 600 – 815 kg/m3 | 37.4 – 50.8 | 6.0 – 8.15 |
| Iroko | 655 kg/m3 | 40.9 | 6.55 |
| Larch | 590 kg/m3 | 36.8 | 5.9 |
| Maple | 755 kg/m3 | 47.1 | 7.55 |
| Carvalho | 590 – 930 kg/m3 | 36.8 – 58 | 5.9 – 9.30 |
| Teak | 630 kg/m3 | 9.3 | 6.3 |
| Sycamore | 590 kg/m3 | 36.8 | 5.9 |
| Lignum vitae | 1280 – 1370 kg/m3 | 79.9 – 85.5 | 12.80 – 13.70 |
| Sandy soil | 1800 kg/m3 | 112.3 | 18 |
| Clay soil | 1900 kg/m3 | 118.6 | 19 |
| Gravel soil | 2000 kg/m3 | 124.8 | 20 |
| Chalk | 2100 kg/m3 | 131 | 21 |
| Shale | 2500 kg/m3Â | 156 | 25 |
| Sedimentary rocks | 2600 kg/m3 | 162.3 | 26 |
| Metamorphic rocks | 2700 kg/m3 | 168.5 | 27 |
| Igneous (felsic) rocks | 2700 kg/m3 | 168.5 | 27 |
| Igneous (mafic) rocks | 3000 kg/m3 | 187.2 | 30 |
| Bricks | 1500 – 1800 kg/m3 | 93.6 – 112.3 | 15.00 – 18.00 |
| Asphalt | 721 kg/m3 | 45 | 7.21 |
| Lima | 640 kg/m3 | 39.9 | 6.4 |
| Cement mortar | 2080 kg/m3 | 129.8 | 20.8 |
| Lime mortar | 1760 kg/m3 | 109.8 | 17.6 |
| Steel | 7850 kg/m3 | 490 | 78.5 |
| Stainless steel | 7480 – 8000 kg/m3 | 466.9 – 499.4 | 74.80 – 80.00 |
| Aluminum | 2739 kg/m3 | 170.9 | 27.39 |
| Magnesium | 1738 kg/m3 | 108.4 | 17.38 |
| Cobalt | 8746 kg/m3 | 545.9 | 87.46 |
| Nickel | 8908 kg/m3 | 556.1 | 89.08 |
| Tin | 7280 kg/m3 | 454.4 | 72.8 |
| Lead | 11340 kg/m3 | 707.9 | 113.4 |
| Zinc | 7135 kg/m3 | 445.4 | 71.35 |
| Cast iron | 7208 kg/m3 | 449.9 | 72.08 |
| Copper | 8940 kg/m3 | 558.1 | 89.4 |
| Iron | 7850 kg/m3 | 490 | 78.5 |
| Glass | 2580 kg/m3 | 161 | 25.8 |
| Bitumen | 1040 kg/m3 | 64.896 | 10.4 |
| Brick Dust (Surkhi) | 1010 kg/m3 | 63.024 | 10.1 |
| Clay Soil | 1900 kg/m3 | 118.56 | 19 |
| Earth (Dry) | 1410 – 1840 kg/m3 | 87.98 – 114.82 | 14.10 – 18.40 |
| Earth (Moist) | 1600 – 2000 kg/m3 | 99.84 – 124.8 | 16.00 – 20.00 |
| Fire Bricks | 2400 kg/m3 | 149.76 | 24 |
| Granite Stone | 2400 – 2690 kg/m3 | 149.76 – 167.85 | 24.00 – 26.90 |
| Gypsum Mortar | 1200 kg/m3 | 74.88 | 12 |
| Gypsum Powder | 1410 – 1760 kg/m3 | 87.98 – 109.82 | 14.10 – 17.60 |
| Ice | 920 kg/m3 | 57.41 | 9.2 |
| Plain Cement Concrete | 2400 kg/m3 | 149.8 | 24 |
| Reinforced Cement Concrete | 2500 kg/m3 | 156 | 25 |
| Prestressed Cement Concrete | 2400 kg/m3 | 149.8 | 24 |
| RCC Blocks | 2100 kg/m3 | 131.04 | 21 |
| Rubber | 1300 kg/m3 | 81.12 | 13 |
| Sal Wood | 865 kg/m3 | 53.98 | 8.65 |
| Sand (Dry) | 1540 – 1600 kg/m3 | 96.09 – 99.84 | 15.40 – 16.00 |
| Sand (Wet) | 1760 – 2000 kg/m3 | 109.82 – 124.80 | 17.60 – 20.00 |
| Stone Ballast | 1720 kg/m3 | 107.33 | 17.2 |
| Stone chips | 1600 – 1920 kg/m3 | 99.84 – 119.81 | 16.00 – 19.20 |
Density also decides the sinking property of a material. It is decided by knowing the density of the liquid. If the material has a lower density than the liquid, it will float on the surface of a liquid. If it is denser than the liquid, it will sink.
If two different materials have the same weight, but the density of both can be different. The lower dense material occupies more volume than the higher dense material.
The value of the density of the building material will also help to discover the amount of material needed for a specific space.
For example, water has a density of 1000kg / m3; if we put bamboo wood (350kg / m3) in the water, it will float on the water surface in the same way; if we drop a brick (1700 kg.m3), it will sink into the water.
The density of different building materials is listed below. There are many building materials used in construction. In the table above, we try to cover the unit weight of the building materials that are most commonly used on the construction site.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Density of Construction Materials
What is density in construction materials?
Density, also known as unit weight, is the mass per unit volume of a material. It represents the degree of compactness of the material, indicating how much mass is contained in a given volume.
How is density expressed?
Density is typically expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) or pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³).
What is the formula for calculating density?
The formula for density is: p=mV=1vp = \frac{m}{V} = \frac{1}{v} Where:
- pp = density
- mm = mass
- VV = volume
- vv = specific volume
What is the density of cement?
The density of cement is approximately 1440 kg/m³.
How does the density of sand vary?
The density of sand varies based on its condition:
- Loose sand: 1442 kg/m³
- Dry sand: 1602 kg/m³
- Packed sand: 1682 kg/m³
- Wet sand: 1922 kg/m³
- Wet packed sand: 2082 kg/m³
What are fine and coarse aggregates?
- Fine aggregate is natural sand that has been washed and sieved to remove particles larger than 5 mm.
- Coarse aggregate consists of gravel or crushed stone particles that range from 5 to 50 mm in size.
What is bulk density in the context of aggregates?
Bulk density is the mass of the aggregate needed to fill a container of a specified volume, including the voids between particles. It is typically expressed in kg/m³ or lb/ft³.
What is the typical bulk density of aggregates used in normal-weight concrete?
The typical bulk density of aggregates used in normal-weight concrete ranges from 1200 to 1750 kg/m³ (75 to 110 lb/ft³).
What is relative density or specific gravity of aggregates?
Relative density, or specific gravity, is the ratio of the mass of the aggregate to the mass of an equal volume of water. Most aggregates have a relative density between 2.4 and 2.9.
How does density affect the sinking property of a material?
A material will float on a liquid if its density is lower than that of the liquid, and it will sink if its density is higher. For example, bamboo (350 kg/m³) floats on water (1000 kg/m³), while a brick (1700 kg/m³) sinks.
Why is understanding the density of building materials important?
Knowing the density of building materials helps in determining the amount of material needed for a specific space, which is crucial for construction planning and cost estimation.
How does the density of building materials impact construction?
Higher density materials are more compact and often stronger, but they may also be heavier and require more support. Lower density materials are lighter and may be easier to handle but might not provide the same level of strength and durability.
