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Units and Conversion Factors

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Units and conversion factors

Units
While most expressions and equations used in this book are arranged so that they are
non-dimensional, there are a number of exceptions. In all of these, SI units are used which
are derived from the basic units of kilogram (kg) for mass, metre (m) for length, and
second (s) for time.
The SI unit of force is the newton (N), which is the force which causes a mass of 1 kg to
have an acceleration of 1 m/s2. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.807 m/s2 approximately,
and so the weight of a mass of 1 kg is 9.807 N.
The SI unit of stress is the pascal (Pa), which is the average stress exerted by a force of
1 N on an area of 1 m2. The pascal is too small to be convenient in structural engineering,
and it is common practice to use either the megapascal (1 MPa=10 6 Pa) or the identical
newton per square millimetre (1 N/mm2=10 Pa). The megapascal (MPa) is used generally
in this book.

Table of conversion factors


To Imperial (British) units

To SI units

1 kg

0.068 53 slug

1 slug

14.59 kg

1m

3.281 ft

1 ft

0.304 8 m

39.37 in.

1 in.

0.025 4 m

0.003 281 ft

1 ft

304.8 mm

0.039 37 in.

1 in.

25.4 mm

1N

0.224 8 lb

1 lb

4.448 N

1 kN

0.224 8 kip

1 kip

4.448 kN

0.100 36 ton

1 ton

9.964 kN

0.145 0 kip/in. (ksi)

1 kip/in.

6.895 MPa

0.064 75 ton/in.

1 ton/in.

15.44 MPa

0.737 6 kip ft

1 kip ft

1.356 kNm

0.329 3 ton ft

1 ton ft

3.037 kNm

1 mm

1 MPa

1 kNm

2
2

1 MPa=1 N/mm2

There are some dimensionally inconsistent equations used in this book which arise because a
numerical value (in MPa) is substituted for the Youngs modulus of elasticity E while the yield
stress fy remains algebraic. The value of the yield stress fy used in these equations should therefore
be expressed in MPa. Care should be used in converting these equations from SI to Imperial units.

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