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Metric Conversion Tables

Summary Table Of Conversion Factors Most Often Required

x means 'multiply by' . . .
/ means 'divide by' . . .
# means it is an exact value
All other values given to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

To change	into	do this		To change	into	do this
yd3	m3	x 0.7646		m3	yd3	x 1.3080

To change	into	do this		To change	into	do this
acres	hectares	x 0.4047		acres	sq. kilometres	/ 247
acres	sq. metres	x 4047		acres	sq. miles	/ 640 #
barrels (oil)	cu.metres	/ 6.29		barrels (oil)	gallons	x 42 #
barrels (oil)	litres	x 159		centimetres	feet	/ 30.48 #
centimetres	inches	/ 2.54 #		centimetres	metres	/ 100 #
centimetres	millimetres	x 10 #		cubic cm	cubic inches	x 0.06102
cubic cm	litres	/ 1000 #		cubic cm	millilitres	x 1 #
cubic feet	cubic inches	x 1728 #		cubic feet	cubic metres	x 0.0283
cubic feet	cubic yards	/ 27 #		cubic feet	gallons	x 7.481
cubic feet	litres	x 28.32		cubic inches	cubic cm	x 16.39
cubic inches	litres	x 0.01639		cubic metres	cubic feet	x 35.31
feet	centimetres	x 30.48 #		feet	metres	x 0.3048 #
feet	yards	/ 3 #		fl.ounces	millilitres	x 29.57

x means 'multiply by' . . .
/means 'divide by' . . .
#means it is an exact value
All other values given to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

gallons	pints	x 8 #		gallons	cubic feet	x 0.1337
gallons	litres	x 3.785		grams	kilograms	/ 1000 #
grams	ounces	/ 28.35		hectares	acres	x 2.471
hectares	square km	/ 100 #		hectares	square metres	x 10000 #
hectares	square miles	/ 259		hectares	square yards	x 11 960
inches	centimetres	x 2.54 #		inches	feet	/ 12 #
kilograms	ounces	x 35.3		kilograms	pounds	x 2.2046
kilograms	tonnes	/ 1000 #		kilograms	tons (short)	/ 907
kilometres	metres	x 1000 #		kilometres	miles	x 0.6214
litres	cu.inches	x 61.02		litres	gallons	x 0.2642
litres	pints (liquid)	x 2.113		metres	yards	/ 0.9144 #
metres	centimetres	x 100 #		miles	kilometres	x 1.609
millimetres	inches	/ 25.4 #		ounces	grams	x 28.35
pints (liquid)	litres	x 0.4732		pounds	kilograms	x 0.4536
pounds	ounces	x 16 #

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Measurements

Length
12 inches	= 1 foot
3 feet	= 1 yard
220 yards	= 1 furlong
8 furlongs	= 1 mile
5280 feet	= 1 mile
1760 yards	= 1 mile

 

Area
144 sq. inches	= 1 square foot
9 sq. feet	= 1 square yard
4840 sq. yards	= 1 acre
640 acres	= 1 square mile
1 sq.mile	= 1 section
36 sections	= 1 township

 

Volume
1728 cu. inches	= 1 cubic foot
27 cu. feet	= 1 cubic yard

 

Capacity (Dry)
2 pints	= 1 quart
8 quarts	= 1 peck
4 pecks	= 1 bushel

 

Capacity (Liquid)
16 fluid ounces	= 1 pint
4 gills	= 1 pint
2 pints	= 1 quart
4 quarts	= 1 gallon (8 pints)

 

Mass
437.5 grains	= 1 ounce
16 ounces	= 1 pound (7000 grains)
14 pounds	= 1 stone
100 pounds	= 1 hundredweight [cwt]
20 cwt	= 1 ton (2000 pounds)

 

Troy Weights
24 grains	= 1 pennyweight
20 pennyweights	= 1 ounce (480 grains)
12 ounces	= 1 pound (5760 grains)

 

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Characteristics of Concrete

Strength and Durability

Used in the majority of buildings, bridges, tunnels and dams for its strength Gains strength over time Not weakened by moisture, mould or pests Concrete structures can withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes Roman buildings over 1,500 years old such as the Coliseum are living examples of the strength and durability of concrete

 

Versatility

Concrete is used in buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, sewerage systems pavements, runways and even roads.

 

Low Maintenance

Concrete, being inert, compact and non-porous, does not attract mould or lose its key properties over time

 

Affordability

Compared to other comparable building materials e.g. steel, concrete is less costly to produce and remains extremely affordable

 

Fire-Resistance

Being naturally fire-resistant concrete forms a highly effective barrier to fire spread

 

Relatively low emissions of CO2

CO2 emissions from concrete and cement production are relatively small compared to other building materials. 80% of a buildings CO2 emissions are generated not by the production of the materials used in its construction, but in the electric utilities of the building over its life-cycle (e.g. lighting, heating, air-conditioning)

 

Energy Efficiency in Production

Producing concrete uses less energy than producing other comparable building materials. A study quoted by the NRMCA concluded that the energy required to produce one ton of concrete was 1.4 GJ/t compared to 30 GJ/t for steel and 2GJ/t for wood

Energy of Production for Common Materials
Source: National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)

 

Excellent Thermal Mass

Concrete walls and floors slow the passage of heat moving through, reducing temperature swings This reduces energy needs from heating or air-conditioning, offering year-round energy savings over the life-time of the building One study quoted by the NRMCA found that concrete walls reduce energy requirements for a typical home by more than 17%

 

Locally Produced and Used The relative expense of land transport usually limits cement and concrete sales to within 300km of a plant site. Very little cement and concrete is traded and transported internationally This saves significantly on transport emissions of CO2 that would otherwise occur     Albedo Effect   The high "albedo" (reflective qualities" of concrete used in pavements and building walls means more light is reflected and less heat is absorbed, resulting in cooler temperatures This reduces the "urban heat island" effect prevalent in cities today, and hence reduces energy use for e.g. air-conditioning

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