1. What is Bulk Specific Gravity?

Definition: Bulk specific gravity is the ratio of the bulk density of a material to the density of water.

Purpose: It's a fundamental property used in material science and engineering to characterize porous materials like aggregates, soils, and construction materials.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula compares the material's density to water density, showing how much denser the material is than water.

3. Importance of Bulk Specific Gravity

Details: This measurement is crucial for quality control, mix design calculations, and determining material suitability for construction applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the material's bulk density in kg/m³ and water density (default 1000 kg/m³). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical bulk specific gravity range?
A: For construction aggregates, it typically ranges from 2.4 to 2.9, depending on material type.

Q2: Why use water density as reference?
A: Water density provides a consistent, well-known reference point (1000 kg/m³ at 4°C).

Q3: How does this differ from apparent specific gravity?
A: Bulk SG includes pores within the material, while apparent SG only considers solid volume.

Q4: When would I need to change the water density value?
A: Only if working with water at significantly different temperatures or salinities.

Q5: What units should I use for bulk density?
A: The calculator expects kg/m³, but you can convert from other units before entering.