SEC. 1.

2] Introduction 5

TABLE 1.2 Common prefixes

Prefix, symbol Multiplication factor

Giga, G 109
Mega, M 106
Kilo, k 103
Milli, m 103
Micro, m 106
Nano, n 109

Newtons, then the output stresses will be in N=mm2, which is correctly

expressed as MPa. If in this example applied moments are to be
specified, the units should be N-mm. For deflections in this example,
the modulus of elasticity E should also be specified in MPa and the
output deflections will be in mm.
Table 1.3 presents the conversions from USCU units to SI units
for some common state property units. For example, 10 kpsi ¼
ð6:895  103 Þ  ð10  103 Þ ¼ 68:95  106 Pa ¼ 68:95 MPa. Obviously, the
multiplication factors for conversions from SI to USCU are simply the
reciprocals of the given multiplication factors.

TABLE 1.3 Multiplication factors to convert from

USCU units to SI units

To convert from USCU to SI Multiply by

Area:
ft2 m2 9:290  102
in2 m2 6:452  104
Density:
slug=ft3 (lbf-s2=ft4) kg=m3 515.4
lbf-s2=in4 kg=m3 2:486  102
Energy, work, or moment:
ft-lbf or lbf-ft J or N-m 1.356
in-lbf or lbf-in J or N-m 0.1130
Force:
lbf N 4.448
Length:
ft m 0.3048
in m 2:540  102
Mass:
slug (lbf-s2=ft) kg 14.59
lbf-s2=in kg 1.216
Pressure, stress:
lbf=ft2 Pa (N=m2) 47.88
lbf=in2 (psi) Pa (N=m2) 6:895  103
Volume:
ft3 m3 2:832  102
in3 m3 1:639  105