What Is This Tool?
This converter allows users to translate pressure measurements from foot water (4°C), a unit based on hydrostatic pressure from a water column at 4°C, into pound-force per square foot, which is commonly used in US customary engineering to measure surface loads and pressures.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the pressure value in foot water (4°C) you want to convert.
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Select foot water (4°C) as the input unit and pound-force per square foot as the output unit.
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Use the conversion tool to calculate the equivalent pressure in pound-force per square foot.
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Review example calculations to verify your results.
Key Features
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Converts pressure values between foot water (4°C) and pound-force per square foot accurately based on established definitions.
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Supports applications in hydraulic engineering, structural analysis, HVAC, and groundwater studies.
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Provides clear formulas and example conversions to assist understanding.
Examples
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2 Foot water (4°C) equals 124.85 Pound-force per square foot.
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0.5 Foot water (4°C) equals 31.21 Pound-force per square foot.
Common Use Cases
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Specifying hydraulic head and low pressure measurements for pumps and water distribution.
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Interpreting manometer readings and converting head to pressure in HVAC or laboratory settings.
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Assessing building loads such as floor live loads and roof snow loads in structural engineering.
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Describing distributed loads on beams and slabs using US customary units.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure the water temperature is at 4°C or adjust context to match this reference for accuracy.
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Use consistent units and fluid properties when performing multiple related conversions.
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Cross-check converted values with example calculations for reliability.
Limitations
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The foot water unit is specifically based on water density at 4°C and may be inaccurate if temperature or fluid density varies.
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Pound-force per square foot is a larger pressure unit and may be less suitable for very small pressure values without scaling.
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Maintaining consistent temperature and fluid property assumptions is necessary to ensure correct conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does one foot water (4°C) represent?
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It represents the pressure exerted by a one-foot column of pure water at 4°C, used to express low pressures or hydraulic head.
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Where is pound-force per square foot commonly used?
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It is used in US customary engineering contexts to specify surface loads and pressures, such as building and wind loads.
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Why is the temperature of 4°C important in this conversion?
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Because foot water pressure is based on the density of water at 4°C, which is a standard reference temperature for accuracy.
Key Terminology
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Foot water (4°C) [ftAq]
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A pressure unit equal to the hydrostatic pressure from a 1-foot column of pure water at 4°C, used for low pressures and hydraulic head measurements.
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Pound-force per square foot
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A pressure unit representing one pound-force distributed over one square foot, common in US engineering for loads and pressures.
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Hydrostatic pressure
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Pressure exerted by a fluid due to the force of gravity acting on the fluid column.