It is difficult to overstate the fundamental role that pressure plays in construction and engineering applications – and therefore, the importance of carrying out relevant and accurate pressure calculations.

After all, when it comes to all manner of processes in these fields – such as designing foundations on soil, plumbing systems, deep excavations, pipelines, and concrete formwork – the structural integrity and stability of a given project can be greatly impacted by the fluid pressure exerted upon it.

Inevitably, then, there is routinely a need across such operations to not only account for pressure factors, but also to undertake quick and accurate calculations and conversions of units of pressure.

So, let’s outline some of the vital things to know about the contribution pressure calculations make to construction and engineering processes.

What Do We Mean By ‘Pressure’, Anyway?

Let’s start from the very beginning. As explained by BBC Bitesize to a KS3 physics audience, pressure can be defined as “a measure of how concentrated (or spread out) a force is.”

This source further explains that “the amount of pressure exerted on an object depends on the force applied and the surface area it is spread over.”

An Introduction to The Units Used to Calculate Pressure

As construction and engineering professionals are more than familiar with, various units can be used to calculate pressure. Indeed, it doesn’t take much effort to perform a quick Google search and find an online pressure conversion calculator for bar, psi, and more.

So, let’s take a look at some of those units:

• Pascals (Pa) are the units that scientists normally use to measure pressure. It is the unit of pressure used by the International System of Units (SI), and it is equivalent to one newton per square metre. It is named after Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), on account of his contributions to the world’s understanding of atmospheric pressure.
• Pounds per square inch (psi) are imperial units of pressure, which many people are familiar with when talking about tyre pressures. It can be defined as the force of one pound-force applied to an area of one square inch.
• Bar is a metric unit of pressure, especially commonly used in Europe. One bar is equivalent to 100,000 pascals and 14.5 psi.

In What Ways, Then, Are Pressure Calculations Applied in Engineering and Construction?

The following are examples of situations in which the ability to rapidly and precisely calculate pressure can be hugely important:

• Foundation design: with this process, it is crucial for engineers to make sure the soil is able to adequately support a building load without excessive settlement. To accomplish this, they use the structure’s weight and the soil properties to calculate the ground bearing pressure.
• Water systems: efforts must be made to ensure proper flow rates and minimise the risk of leaks or burst pipes when plumbing systems are being designed. A fundamental element of achieving this is the calculation of water pressure, with such factors as pipe size, water usage, and elevation changes all needing to be taken into account.
• Pressure vessels: the design process for pressure vessels – such as tanks and boilers – calls for detailed pressure calculations to be performed. This allows it to be ensured that the vessel, once fully realised, will be able to safely withstand the intended operating pressure.
• Concrete formwork: when it comes to concrete pouring – using a temporary or permanent mould for the creation of concrete slabs or structures – it is essential to calculate the lateral pressure the fresh concrete exerts on the formwork. Failure to do so could heighten the risk of formwork failure.

Pressure calculations and conversions, then, are far from a merely “nice to do” across a broad range of specialised and demanding engineering and construction applications. Instead, these calculation processes must be regarded as no less than critical to the success, longevity, and safety of all manner of projects.