METRIC MAY BE OK, BUT WHY THIS SI?

The SI (Le SYsteme International d' Unites) was proposed by the general Conference on Weights and Measures in 1960 as a universal system of standards. The result, however, has been more confusion over the basic terminology and the introduction of new terms such as newton, joule, and pascal. In the construction industry, the question is whether to measure compressive stress on strength of concrete as kilograms, newtons, or pascals, since the kilogram is a unit of weight, but in the SI system is a unit of mass. The disadvantages of SI are lack of understanding, failure to be actually implemented in many countries, and lack of enthusiasm in certain scientific circles. Some of the advantages, of course, are that SI can become a universal system, and that it can make applied science more understandable to the general public. As global interaction among scientists and engineers increases it will become absolutely necessary to have a universal language.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/05490219
• Corporate Authors:

  Concrete Construction Publications, Incorporated

  P.O. Box 321
  Addison, IL  United States  60101
• Publication Date: 1976-7

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 313-315
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
  • Issue Number: V21
  • Publisher: CEMENT & CONCRETE ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND
  • ISSN: 0549-0219

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compressive strength; Concrete; Construction industry; Mass; Metric system; Standards; Systems of measurement; Weight
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141249
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: N7
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 26 1976 12:00AM