1. What is Bulk Density and Specific Gravity?

Definition: This calculator determines the bulk density of a material based on its bulk specific gravity and the density of water.

Purpose: It helps engineers and material scientists understand the density characteristics of various materials.

2. How Does the Formula Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \rho_{bulk} \) — Bulk density (kg/m³)
• \( SG_{bulk} \) — Bulk specific gravity (unitless)
• \( \rho_{water} \) — Water density (typically 1000 kg/m³)

Explanation: Bulk specific gravity is multiplied by water density to obtain the bulk density of the material.

3. Importance of Bulk Density Calculation

Details: Bulk density is crucial for material characterization, quality control, and engineering calculations in construction and manufacturing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the bulk specific gravity of your material and water density (default 1000 kg/m³). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is bulk specific gravity?
A: It's the ratio of the density of a material to the density of water, including all voids within the material.

Q2: Why use water density in the calculation?
A: Specific gravity is defined relative to water density, which serves as the reference standard (1000 kg/m³ at 4°C).

Q3: What's a typical bulk specific gravity for common materials?
A: For example: sand ~2.65, gravel ~2.7, cement ~3.15, but this varies by material type and porosity.

Q4: How do I measure bulk specific gravity?
A: It's typically measured by comparing the weight of a known volume of material to the weight of an equal volume of water.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses kg/m³ for density, but results can be converted to other units as needed.