Q: What is the nominal weight of a standard concrete mix?
A: Fresh concrete is heavy: A good rule of thumb is about 150 pounds/cubic foot. That translates to about 100 pounds for a 5-gallon bucket full of concrete, or as much as 800 pounds in a standard-sized contractor’s wheelbarrow load. The actual weight will vary depending on the materials and mix proportions, especially the type of coarse aggregate used. For example, aggregates such as expanded shale often are used in concrete for applications where weight is a concern. This kind of lightweight mixture typically weighs in the 90- to 110-pounds/cubic-foot range. At the other extreme, high-density concretes used for radiation-shielding walls or bridge counterweights are made with heavyweight aggregates such as hematite. These mixtures can weigh 300 pounds/cubic foot or more.
