mass
Measurements of material quantity, commonly reported as weight in kilograms, pounds, or tons.
Mass measurements express the amount of material in something. They are generally thought of as weight measurements, although the actual weight can vary depending on the exact gravity at a location or within a phase of acceleration. These are expressed in kilograms or pounds, or factors thereof such as metric or imperial tons.
The boundary can be an entire structure, one installed device, or the amount of a specified construction material. A concrete mass and a steel mass refer to different portions of the same building.
Mass does not state how much space a material occupies. A volume measurement uses cubic units; converting it to mass also requires the material's density.
More specific definitions
6 sub-definitions-
structural weight
The total mass of a completed structure without furnishings, people, or non-architectural objects. -
weight of structural concrete
The total weight of cured concrete in a structure's skeletal frame, including its foundations. -
weight of structural steel
The total weight of steel in a structure's skeletal frame, including its foundations. -
weight of structural wood
The total weight of wood in a structure's skeletal frame, including its foundations. -
weight of total rebar
The total weight of reinforcing steel bars used in the concrete within a structure. -
weight of tuned mass damper
The total mass of a harmonic absorber installed in a structure to mitigate structural vibrations.
Related definitions
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angle
Measurements of geometric orientation, alignment, or opening expressed in degrees of arc. -
area
Measurements of bounded two-dimensional space, including cumulative areas across several levels. -
clearance
The free space allowed within a structure or pathway for entry and passage. -
depth
Vertical distances below a structure's base level, measured between specified upper and lower points. -
duration
Measurements of elapsed or expected time between a defined beginning and a defined end. -
elevation
Vertical positions of objects or reference points measured above, below, or at mean sea level. -
energy
Measurements of energy handled by an object and the power at which it is produced or consumed. -
height
Vertical distances above a structure's base level, measured between specified lower and upper points. -
hill size
The size category of a ski jumping hill, measured from the take-off point to the end of the landing area. -
humidity
Measurements of moisture in air or other gases as an absolute quantity or a percentage of saturation. -
length
Measurements of horizontal, diagonal, or travel distances between two defined extreme points. -
pressure
Measurements of force per unit area, expressed as absolute pressure or a difference from a reference. -
speed
Measurements of motion over time, including distance traveled and rates of repeated rotation or swinging. -
strength
Measurements of the capacity of a built object to withstand various forms of stress. -
temperature
Measurements of how hot or cold an object or space is, including temperature ranges and limits. -
thickness
Measurements of the perpendicular distance between two sides of the same component. -
volume
Measurements of three-dimensional space displaced or enclosed within specified boundaries.