How to Calculate a Concrete Weight

Concrete is a useful material that is used in many situations. It is often laid directly on the ground, but concrete is sometimes used above the ground as a floor or base. In these cases, it is important to know how much the concrete weighs so it can be supported.

Things You'll Need

• Calculator
• Measuring tape

Instructions

Finding Weight of Concrete in Pounds

1. Measure the height, length and width in feet of the area that will be filled in with concrete. If the form is not finished, find these measurements from the blueprints of what you are building.

2. Multiply the height, length and width to find the volume of the concrete. The unit of measurement for this volume is cubic feet.

3. Multiply the volume in cubic feet by 143.38 lbs./ft.^3. This product is the weight in pounds of concrete that will fill the volume.

Finding Mass of Concrete in Kilograms

1. Measure the height, length and width in meters of the area that will be filled in with concrete. If the form is not finished, find these measurements from the blueprints of what you are building.

2. Multiply the height, length and width to find the volume of the concrete. The unit of measurement for this volume is cubic meters.

3. Multiply the volume in cubic feet by 2300 kg/m^3. This product is the mass in kilograms of concrete that will fill the volume. If you would like to find the weight, multiply the mass in kilograms by 9.8 m/s^2. This new product is the weight in Newtons.

References

• Giancoli, Douglas C., Physics, fifth edition, 2002, Prentice Hall