Density Of Cement, Sand, And Aggregate

Density Of Cement, Sand, And Aggregate

What Is Density of Building Material?

What Is Density of Building Material?

The Density Of Cement, Sand, And Aggregate generally play a significant role in both production and operation in construction.

The density of any building material indicates the density of that material in a given area.

The density of the material is defined as the mass per unit volume.

Density represents essentially a measure of a particular substance.

It is a unique physical property of a particular object.

The principle of density was discovered by Archimedes. To calculate density one has to understand its formula and its related units.

Density is usually represented by the symbol અથવા or it can also be represented by the letter D.

ρ=mv.

Density Of Cement, Sand, And Aggregate

The density of building materials represents the mass of a unit volume of building materials.

It is expressed in kg/m3 or lb/ft3 in units. Which shows the compactness of the building material.

Density is expressed as the unit weight of a substance.

It is represented in the calculation as a symbol named (p).

Density represents the degree of compactness of a material.

This indicates that the material is more and less dense.

Density is defined as the unit weight of a mass.

p = m/V = 1/v, Where,

  • p = density [kg/m3]
  • m = mass [kg]
  • V = volume [m3]
  • v = specific volume [m3/kg].

Density of Cement

The density of cement in kg/m3 generally plays a significant role in both production and operation in construction.

The density of cement sand and aggregate is important during the chemical process. Its production of raw minerals is placed in a large oven, which produces “clinker”.

Cement density kg/m3 is a known influence of size in the development of cement hydration and strength.

The final stage of cement production involves grinding (milling) and mixing. Which is known as cement in powder form. Cement-specific density is a known influence of size in the development of cement hydration and strength.

A reduction in the average particle size in a given cement material produces a higher compressive strength.

The density of cement should be combined with the design of the concrete mix to improve properties such as high starting strength.

Cement is widely used as a binder and adhesive material in building construction, superstructures, multi-story buildings, bridges, dams, and other civil structures.

It acts as a bonding agent between aggregate and sand.

It is important to know the density of cement used as a binder material in concrete.

In general, according to research, cement should have a density of 1440 kg/m3.

Sr No Cement Types Density in KN/m3 Density in Kg/m3
1 Lime Mortar 1600-1840 16-18
2 Ordinary Cement 1440 14.4
3 PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) 2400 24

Density of Sand

bout 35% of the concrete in construction is made up of a mixture of sand. For the good quality and strength of concrete, it is necessary to know the properties of sand, including the density of sand in kg m3 and sand density kg/m3.

The density of sand in g/cm3 also plays a role in determining the quality of the concrete. Which helps in achieving the required maximum quality.

Usually, river sand is used for residential building construction.

Natural sand has a bulk density of 1.71 kg/m3. While the specific gravity of natural sand is 7.5.

The density of sand has different densities in different conditions. As an example, if there is water in the sand, the density of the sand increases.

Msand is commonly used in heavy construction work like gravity dams. m-sand is sand produced by crushing hard granite stone.

The density of sand used as m-sand is 1.75 kg/m3.

The density of various areas of sand is as follows,

  • Loose sand in its dry form has a density of 1442 kg/m3.
  • Dry sand that we get in natural form. It has a density of 1602 kg/m3. This type of sand is partially compacted by natural factors.
  • The density of packed sand which is filled manually or mechanically is about 1682 kg/m3.
  • The density of wet sand is about 1922 kg/m3. And wet-filled sand has a density of about 2082 kg/m3.

Also Read: Waterproofing Cement Board: A Crucial Step in Moisture-Prone Areas

Aggregate Density

Aggregates include gravel, crushed stone, sand, slag, recycled concrete, and geosynthetic aggregates. Overall they are in natural, manufactured, or recycled form.

Knowing the density of aggregate in kg/m3 and aggregate density kg/m3 is crucial for construction planning.

The density of aggregate depends on the size and size of the aggregate particles. Packing in particles of the same size can be done to a very limited extent.

Contains 60 to 80 percent of the aggregate in concrete.

Which produces compressive and bulk in concrete.

The aggregates are classified into two categories as follows:

  • Fine aggregate
  • Coarse aggregate

Fine aggregates usually consist of sand or crushed stone. Which is less than 4.75 mm in size. The coarse aggregate is usually between 4.75 mm and 37.5 mm.

The use of mixed fines and coarse aggregates reduces the chance of void in concrete.

The quality of concrete can be improved with the correct mix of aggregate.

Bulk Density of Aggregate

The bulk density of aggregates indicates the number of aggregates.

It is necessary to fill the container with unit volume by dividing it into batches on the basis of volume.

If larger particles than small particles of aggregate occupy more space.

So its bulk density is low. Thus, the particle shape of aggregate greatly affects the density of aggregate.

The bulk density of aggregate indicates the amount of aggregate.

Which is used to fill a specific unit quantity into a container.

Bulk Density = Mass/volume

The approximate bulk density of aggregate in normal-weight concrete is about 1200-1750 kg/m3.

The standard testing method for determining the bulk density of units is referred to in ASTM C29.

Also Read: How to Calculate Staircase Qty | Concrete & Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) for Staircase | Staircase Reinforcement Details

Relative Density of Aggregate

The relative density (specific gravity) of aggregate is the ratio of its mass to the mass of water contained in it.

Relative Density = Mass of the Aggregate/Mass of equal volume of water.

Most aggregates have a relative density of 2400-2900 kg/m3.

The relative density of the aggregate can be determined on the basis of the saturated surface-dry method (SSD).

Density of Fly ash

The density of ​​fly ash is usually between 300 and 500 m2 / kg, although some fly ash has a density of ​​less than 200 m2 / kg and some have fly ash with a surface area as high as 700 m2 / kg.

The bulk density of fly ash can range from 540 to 860 kg / m3.

When the bulk density of the compacted fly ash is a 1120 to 1500 kg / m3 (70 to 94 lb / ft3).

Fly ash consists primarily of silica, as well as small components such as alumina, iron, and calcium, as well as magnesium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, and carbon.

Also Read: What Is Mansard Roof | Mansard Roof Replacement Cost | Advantages and Disadvantages of Mansard Roof

Density of Fumed Silica

Silica fume is also known as micro silica Silica fume is a by-product of an electric arc furnace.

Which is used as a pozzolanic material. The bulk density of silica fume can be between 130 and 430 kg / m3 (8 to 27 lb / ft3).

Silica fume is available in powder form and in liquid form. Silica fume is used in between 5% and 10% of the mass of total cementitious material.

It is used in high permeability degrees and high-strength concrete.

Density of Building Materials As Per IS 875 Part-1

Sr No Construction Materials Density (Kg/m3) Density (lb/Ft3) Density (Kn/m3)
1 Concrete (PCC) 2400 149.8 24
2 Concrete (RCC) 2500 156 25
3 Cement 1440 89.8 14.4
4 Rapid Hardening Cement 1280 79.87 12.8
5 Sludge 2100 131 21
6 Sandstone 2000 124.8 20
7 Ordinary Cement 1440 89.87 14.4
8 African Mahogany 495-850 31-53 4.95-8.5
9 Willow Wood 420 26.2 4.2
10 Aspen 420 26.2 4.2
11 Ferry 170 10.6 1.7
12 Pine 370-530 23-33 3.7-5.3
13 Bamboo 300-400 18.7-25 3.0-4.0
14 Cedar 380 23.7 3.8
15 Saline Water 1025 63.96 10.25
16 Water 1000 63.43 10
17 African mahogany 495-850 31-35 4.95-8.5
18 Honduras mahogany 545 34 5.45
19 American redwood 450 28 4.5
20 European redwood 510 31.8 5.1
21 Fir (staka) 450 28 4.5
22 Fir(Canadian) 450 28 4.5
23 Aphromosia 7.05
24 apple 660-830 1.2-51.8 6.6-8.3
25 Gray (black) 540 33.7 5.4
26 Gray (white) 670 41.8 6.7
27 Carvalho 590-930 36.8-58 5.9-9.30
28 Teak 630 9.3 6.3
29 Sycamore 590 36.8 5.9
30 Iroko 655 40.9 6.55
31 Larch 590 36.8 5.9
32 Maple 755 47.1 7.55
33 Birch 670 41.8 6.7
34 Ebony 960-1120 59.9-69.9 9.6-11.20
35 Elm 600-815 37.4-50.8 6.0-8.15
36 Lignum vitae 1280-1370 79.9-85.5 12.80-13.70
37 Sandy Soil 1800 112.3 18
38 Clay Soil 1900 118.6 19
39 Gravel soil 2000 124.6 20
40 Chalk 2100 131 21
41 Shale 2500 156 25
42 Sedimentary rocks 2600 162.3 26
43 Metamorphic rocks 2700 168.5 27
44 Igneous (felsic) rock 2700 168.8 27
45 Igneous(mafic) rock 3000 182.7 30
46 Bricks 1500-1800 93.6-112.3 15-18
47 Steel 7850 490 78.5
48 Stainless steel 7480-8000 766.9-499.4 74.8-80
49 Cement mortar 2080 129.8 20.8
50 Lime mortar 1760 109.8 17.6
51 Asphalt 721 45 7.21
52 Lima 640 39.9 6.4
53 Aluminum 2739 170.9 23.79
54 Magnesium 1783 108.3 17.34
55 Cobalt 8746 545.9 87.46
56 Nickel 8908 556.1 89.08
57 Cast iron 7208 449.9 72.08
58 Copper 8940 558.1 89.4
59 Zinc 7135 445.4 71.35
60 Tin 7280 454.4 71.35
61 Lead 1134 707.9 113.4
62 Iron 7850 490 78.5
63 Glass 2850 161 25.8
64 Bitumen 1040 64.89 10.4
65 Brick Dust 1010 63.024 10.1
66 Sand (Wet) 1760-2000 109.82-124.80 17.6-20.00
67 Stone Ballast 1720 107.33 17.2
68 Stone Chips 1600-1920 99.84-119.81 16.00-19.20
69 Fire Bricks 2400 149.76 24
70 Granite Stone 2400-2690 149.76-167.85 24-26.90
71 Gypsum Mortar 1200 74.88 12
72 Gypsum Powder 1410-1760 87.98-109.82 14.10-17.60
73 Ice 920 57.41 9.2
74 Plane Cement Concrete 2400 149.8 24
75 RCC 2500 149.8 24
76 Rubber 1300 81.12 13
77 Sal Wood 865 53.98 8.65
78 Sand (Dry) 1540-1600 96.09-99.84 15.40-16
79 Clay Soil 1900 118.56 19
80 Earth (Dry) 1410-1840 87.98-114.82 14.10-18.40
81 Earth (Moist) 1600-2000 99.84-124.8 16.00-20.00

Density of Steel

The density of steel varies depending on the alloying components in it but is usually between 7,750 and 8,050 kg/m3.

Sr.No. Dia of Bar   Density of Steel as per Dia (Kg/m2)
1 8         0.395
2 10         0.619
3 12         0.888
4 16          1.58
5 20          2.469
6 25          1.388
7 28          4.839
8 32          6.32
9 40           9.87

Density of RCC

Reinforced cement concrete (RCC) increases the tensile strength of concrete. Concrete resists well against compression. Concrete is unable to resist stress.

Reinforcement is placed in concrete due to weak tension stress.

The density of RCC is taken into account to get sufficient strength as per the requirement of concrete. Density is measured keeping in mind the quality of the material.

Due to this RCC needs to be compacted.

According to the prescribed IS code, the density of RCC is 2400 kg/m3.

Density of PCC

Factors affecting the density of concrete include the density of aggregate, air content, water, and cement content. Pcc has to be done in a wide area.

The density of Portland cement concrete (PCC) in the foundation is 2400 kg/m3.


Like this post? Share it with your friends!

Suggested Read –


Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Density of Cement?

The density of ordinary cement is typically 1440 kg/m³. Plain cement concrete (PCC) has a density of 2400 kg/m³.

How Is the Density of Building Materials Defined?

Density is defined as mass per unit volume and is usually expressed in kg/m³ or lb/ft³. It represents the compactness of a material and indicates how much mass is contained in a given volume.

Why Is Density Important in Construction?

Density affects the strength, durability, and stability of construction materials. Knowing the density helps in designing concrete mixes and ensuring that structures can withstand loads and environmental conditions.

What Factors Affect the Density of Concrete?

The density of concrete is influenced by the density of its components (aggregate, cement, water), air content, and the degree of compaction. The mix design also plays a crucial role.

What Is the Density of Aggregate Used in Concrete?

The density of aggregate in normal-weight concrete ranges from 1200 to 1750 kg/m³. The relative density (specific gravity) of aggregate is typically between 2400 and 2900 kg/m³.

What Is the Bulk Density of Fly Ash?

The bulk density of loose fly ash ranges from 540 to 860 kg/m³, while compacted fly ash ranges from 1120 to 1500 kg/m³.

How Does the Moisture Content Affect the Density of Sand?

The density of sand increases with moisture content. Dry sand has a lower density compared to wet sand due to the presence of water filling the voids between sand particles.

What Is the Significance of the Density of Cement in Concrete Mix Design?

The density of cement affects the overall density and strength of the concrete mix. It is crucial for achieving the desired workability and compressive strength of the concrete.

How Is the Density of Steel Used in Construction?

The density of steel varies depending on its composition but generally ranges from 7750 to 8050 kg/m³. This property is important for structural design and load calculations.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top