1. What is a PSF to kg/m² Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts pressure or load measurements from pounds per square foot (PSF) to kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).

Purpose: It helps engineers, architects, and construction professionals convert between imperial and metric units for pressure, stress, and load calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( kg/m² \) — Kilograms per square meter (metric unit)
• \( PSF \) — Pounds per square foot (imperial unit)
• \( 4.882 \) — Conversion factor (1 lb/ft² = 4.882 kg/m²)

Explanation: The conversion factor comes from the relationship between pounds and kilograms (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) and between square feet and square meters (1 ft² = 0.092903 m²).

3. Importance of Unit Conversion

Details: Accurate unit conversion is essential when working with international standards, metric specifications, or when combining data from different measurement systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the value in pounds per square foot (PSF) and the calculator will automatically compute the equivalent in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is PSF used for?
A: PSF (pounds per square foot) is commonly used in structural engineering to measure pressure, stress, or load distribution in imperial units.

Q2: Where is kg/m² typically used?
A: Kilograms per square meter is the metric equivalent used in most countries outside the United States for similar measurements.

Q3: Is the conversion factor exact?
A: The factor 4.882 is rounded for practical use. The exact conversion is 1 lb/ft² = 4.88242764 kg/m².

Q4: Can I convert kg/m² back to PSF?
A: Yes, divide kg/m² by 4.882 to get PSF (or multiply by 0.2048).

Q5: What are typical PSF values in construction?
A: Live loads for residential floors are typically 40 PSF (195 kg/m²), while office floors might be 50 PSF (244 kg/m²).