How Much Does Steel Weigh?

The weight of steel is roughly 490 pounds for every cubic foot. However, there are numerous factors that will cause the weight to increase or go down.

Density and Gravity

These two components determine its weight. Assume that the density is 7.8g and that the measurement is cm3. That is, 30 x 30 x 30 centimeters. That would be 27,000 cm. Multiply that by 7.85 and the result is 21,195.

The result would be 212 kg. Take 212 and multiply it by 2.2. The result is 470 lbs for every cubic foot.

The type and components will also affect the weight of steel. For plain steel, the density is 7.85. You need to multiply that by the cube volume. That would be 7.85 x 12 x 12 x 12. The answer is 13564.8. This is assuming that the density is 7.85. Some have a density of 7.75 or 8.5.

Alloys

The difference in density is due to the differing alloys. The alloy is the mixture used. It can be two metallic elements or one metallic and nonmetallic.

There are no less than 98 alloys being used with varying gravities. The Durichlor 51 has a gravity of 7. One of the highest is Chlorimet 3 which has a gravity of 9.24.

The lower the gravity, the lighter the weight of steel will be. If a cubic meter has a gravity of 7 or thereabouts, the weight would be 7,000 kilograms. If the gravity is higher, it will be heavier even with the same volume.

If the gravity is around 8, the same cubic meter will tip the scales at 9,200 kg. The 7.85 gravity/density (it is actually gravity, but some use the term density instead) is taken as the average.

See also  How Much Does Drywall Spraying Cost?

Structural steel has a gravity of 7.85. Because it is used a lot, this gravity is often used as an average.

Note: some use gravity and density interchangeably. The proper term is gravity, though. If you see figures stating that the weight of steel is affected by its 7 or 8 density, they are referring to gravity.

Using Steel Calculators

There are free calculators on the Web. Use them if you have trouble figuring out the density and the other figures.

They are easy enough to use, but go over the help guides to make sure the right numbers are punched in.

Benefits

Using steel at home is practical. It doesn’t rot, and its maintenance is very low. Unlike wood, it isn’t prone to infestation by various organisms. Properly set up, the structure is also very strong.

For builders, it isn’t as heavy compared with farming components. It is also very cost-effective. On the average, less than 2% is wasted. Over 20% of lumber is wasted, on the other hand.

Before starting any task, getting to know the weight of steel is essential.

Once that is done, you can proceed to use it. Just be sure to take all the safety precautions, and your project will be more durable.