Formula Corner

Essential Civil Engineering formulas at your fingertips.

Structural

Axial Stress

Calculates the normal stress on a member subjected to an axial load.

Structural

Flexural Stress (Bending)

Calculates the bending stress at a distance y from the neutral axis.

Structural

Transverse Shear Stress in Beams

Calculates the shear stress at a specific layer in a beam cross-section.

Structural

Torsional Shear Stress (Circular Shaft)

Calculates the shear stress due to torsion in a circular shaft.

Structural

Euler's Critical Buckling Load

Calculates the critical axial load that will cause a column to buckle.

Structural

Deflection of SS Beam (Uniform Load)

Maximum deflection of a simply supported beam with a uniformly distributed load.

Structural

Axial Stress

Stress calculation for axial load.

Structural

Bending Stress

Flexural stress in beams.

Structural

Shear Stress (Beam)

Shear stress in beams.

Structural

Euler Buckling Load

Critical buckling load for columns.

Structural

Cantilever Deflection (Point Load)

Max deflection at free end.

Structural

Cantilever Deflection (UDL)

Max deflection at free end.

Structural

SS Beam Deflection (Point Load Center)

Max deflection at center.

Structural

SS Beam Deflection (UDL)

Max deflection at center.

Structural

Fixed End Moment (UDL)

Fixed end moment for beam with UDL.

Structural

Fixed End Moment (Point Load)

Fixed end moment for beam with center point load.

Structural

Balanced Steel Ratio

Reinforcement ratio for balanced condition.

Structural

Nominal Moment Capacity (Singly)

Nominal moment capacity of singly reinforced beam.

Structural

Depth of Compression Block

Depth of equivalent rectangular stress block.

Structural

Slenderness Ratio

Measure of column flexibility.

Structural

Radius of Gyration

Geometric property of a cross section.

Structural

Stiffness (Axial)

Axial stiffness of a member.

Structural

Torsional Shear Stress

Shear stress due to torsion.

Structural

Polar Moment of Inertia (Circle)

Polar moment of inertia for solid circular shaft.

Structural

Thermal Stress

Stress due to restrained thermal expansion.

Structural

Axial Elongation

Change in length due to axial load.

Structural

Beta 1 Factor

Factor relating depth of equivalent rectangular stress block to neutral axis depth.

Structural

Shear Capacity of Concrete

Simplified calculation for shear strength provided by concrete.

Structural

Shear Capacity of Stirrups

Shear strength provided by shear reinforcement.

Structural

Nominal Axial Strength (Short Column)

Nominal axial strength of a reinforced concrete column at zero eccentricity.

Structural

Modulus of Rupture

Tensile strength of concrete for deflection calculations.

Structural

Modular Ratio

Ratio of modulus of elasticity of steel to concrete.

Structural

Modulus of Elasticity (Concrete)

Modulus of elasticity for normal weight concrete.

Structural

Development Length (Tension)

Basic development length equation for deformed bars in tension.

Geotechnical

Effective Stress

The principle of effective stress, representing the stress carried by the soil skeleton.

Geotechnical

Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity (Square Footing)

Ultimate bearing capacity for a square footing based on Terzaghi's theory.

Geotechnical

Darcy's Law (Flow Rate)

Describes the flow of fluid through a porous medium.

Geotechnical

Void Ratio and Porosity Relationship

Relationship between void ratio (e) and porosity (n).

Geotechnical

Rankine Active Earth Pressure Coefficient

Calculates the active earth pressure coefficient for cohesionless soil with a horizontal surface.

Geotechnical

Consolidation Settlement (Normally Consolidated)

Estimates the primary consolidation settlement for normally consolidated clay.

Geotechnical

Void Ratio

Ratio of void volume to solid volume.

Geotechnical

Porosity

Ratio of void volume to total volume.

Geotechnical

Degree of Saturation

Percentage of voids filled with water.

Geotechnical

Water Content

Ratio of weight of water to solids.

Geotechnical

Unit Weight

Total weight per unit volume.

Geotechnical

Dry Unit Weight

Unit weight of soil when dry.

Geotechnical

Basic Soil Relation

Fundamental relationship.

Geotechnical

Effective Stress

Total stress minus pore water pressure.

Geotechnical

Shear Strength (Mohr-Coulomb)

Soil shear strength equation.

Geotechnical

Active Earth Pressure Coeff

Rankine active pressure coefficient.

Geotechnical

Passive Earth Pressure Coeff

Rankine passive pressure coefficient.

Geotechnical

Consolidation Settlement (NC)

Settlement for normally consolidated clay.

Geotechnical

Time Factor (Consolidation)

Dimensionless time factor.

Geotechnical

Darcy's Law

Flow through porous media.

Geotechnical

Hydraulic Gradient

Head loss per unit length.

Geotechnical

Seepage Velocity

Velocity of water through voids.

Geotechnical

Terzaghi Bearing Capacity (Strip)

Ultimate bearing capacity for strip footing.

Geotechnical

Group Index

AASHTO classification parameter.

Geotechnical

Relative Density

Density state of granular soil.

Geotechnical

Flow Net Discharge

Seepage calculation from flow net.

Geotechnical

Plasticity Index

Range of water content over which soil behaves plastically.

Geotechnical

Liquidity Index

Scaling of natural water content relative to limits.

Geotechnical

Activity

Plasticity index divided by percent of clay-sized particles.

Hydraulics

Bernoulli's Equation

Conservation of energy principle for flowing fluids.

Hydraulics

Manning's Equation

Empirical formula for estimating the average velocity of a liquid flowing in a conduit that does not completely enclose the liquid.

Hydraulics

Reynolds Number

Dimensionless quantity used to predict flow patterns (laminar or turbulent).

Hydraulics

Darcy-Weisbach Equation

Calculates the head loss due to friction in a pipe.

Hydraulics

Hazen-Williams Equation (SI)

Empirical relationship for the flow of water in a pipe (SI units).

Hydraulics

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given depth.

Hydraulics

Density

Mass per unit volume.

Hydraulics

Specific Weight

Weight per unit volume.

Hydraulics

Specific Gravity

Ratio of density to water density.

Hydraulics

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure at depth h.

Hydraulics

Hydrostatic Force (Plane)

Force on submerged plane.

Hydraulics

Center of Pressure

Location of hydrostatic force.

Hydraulics

Buoyancy

Archimedes principle.

Hydraulics

Continuity Equation

Conservation of mass for incompressible flow.

Hydraulics

Bernoulli Equation

Conservation of energy.

Hydraulics

Torricelli's Theorem

Velocity of efflux.

Hydraulics

Reynolds Number

Flow regime indicator.

Hydraulics

Darcy-Weisbach Equation

Head loss due to friction.

Hydraulics

Hazen-Williams Equation

Water flow velocity (SI).

Hydraulics

Manning's Equation

Open channel flow velocity.

Hydraulics

Chezy Formula

Uniform flow velocity.

Hydraulics

Froude Number

Flow state (critical/sub/super).

Hydraulics

Hydraulic Radius

Area divided by wetted perimeter.

Hydraulics

Rectangular Weir Discharge

Francis formula for suppressed weir.

Hydraulics

Triangular Weir Discharge

For 90 degree V-notch.

Hydraulics

Pump Power

Power required by pump.

Transportation

Stopping Sight Distance

Distance required for a driver to detect a hazard and bring the vehicle to a stop (Metric).

Transportation

Superelevation

Relationship between superelevation, side friction, speed, and radius for horizontal curves.

Transportation

Peak Hour Factor

Measure of traffic demand fluctuation within the peak hour.

Transportation

Minimum Radius of Horizontal Curve

Calculates the minimum radius for a horizontal curve given design speed and maximum superelevation.

Transportation

Greenshields Model

Linear relationship between speed and density in traffic flow.

Transportation

Stopping Sight Distance

Distance to stop vehicle.

Transportation

Superelevation

Banking of curves.

Transportation

Peak Hour Factor

Traffic flow consistency.

Transportation

Greenshields Model

Flow equals density times speed.

Transportation

Time Mean Speed

Arithmetic mean of spot speeds.

Transportation

Space Mean Speed

Harmonic mean of speeds.

Transportation

Yellow Interval

Traffic signal yellow time.

Transportation

Radius of Relative Stiffness

Westergaard's analysis.

Transportation

Structural Number

AASHTO flexible pavement design.

Transportation

ESAL

Equivalent Single Axle Loads.

Transportation

Poisson Arrival

Probability of n vehicles arriving.

Transportation

M/M/1 Queue Length

Average number in system.

Transportation

Webster's Optimal Cycle

Signal cycle length.

Transportation

Saturation Flow

Max flow rate.

Transportation

Parabolic Vertical Curve

Elevation on vertical curve.

Transportation

Length of Crest Curve (SSD<L)

For SSD.

Transportation

Length of Sag Curve

Headlight sight distance criteria.

Transportation

Degree of Curve (Arc)

Angle subtended by 20m arc.

Transportation

Middle Ordinate

Distance from curve to chord.

Transportation

External Distance

Distance from PI to curve.

Construction

Concrete Volume (Slab)

Calculates the volume of concrete required for a slab.

Construction

Cost Performance Index (CPI)

A measure of the cost efficiency of budgeted resources expressed as the ratio of earned value to actual cost.

Construction

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

A measure of schedule efficiency expressed as the ratio of earned value to planned value.

Construction

Productivity Rate

Calculates the rate of production per unit of input (e.g., labor hour).

Construction

Brick Estimation

Estimates the number of bricks required for a wall of single brick thickness.

Construction

PERT Expected Time

Weighted average time.

Construction

PERT Standard Deviation

SD of activity duration.

Construction

Total Float

Slack time.

Construction

Free Float

Delay allowance without affecting successor.

Construction

Productivity

Work rate.

Construction

Volume (Trapezoidal)

Average end area method.

Construction

Volume (Prismoidal)

More accurate earthwork volume.

Construction

Swell Factor

Volume increase upon excavation.

Construction

Shrinkage Factor

Volume decrease upon compaction.

Construction

Equipment Production

Hourly production.

Construction

Cycle Time

Total time per cycle.

Construction

Number of Bricks

Estimate brick count.

Construction

Return on Investment

Profitability measure.

Construction

Factor of Safety

Capacity over Demand.

Construction

Concrete Yield

Volume of concrete produced.

Mathematics

Quadratic Formula

Solution for finding roots of a quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0.

Mathematics

Heron's Formula (Area of Triangle)

Calculates the area of a triangle given the lengths of its three sides.

Mathematics

Volume of Cylinder

Calculates the volume of a cylinder.

Mathematics

Pythagorean Theorem

Relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle.

Mathematics

Derivative (Power Rule)

Standard formula for finding the derivative of a power function.

Mathematics

Compound Interest

Calculates the amount of money accumulated after n years, including interest.

Mathematics

Pythagorean Theorem

Right triangle sides.

Mathematics

Sine Law

Triangle relation.

Mathematics

Cosine Law

Triangle side relation.

Mathematics

Heron's Formula

Area of triangle.

Mathematics

Area of Circle

Circle area.

Mathematics

Circumference

Circle perimeter.

Mathematics

Volume of Sphere

Sphere volume.

Mathematics

Surface Area of Sphere

Sphere surface area.

Mathematics

Volume of Cone

Cone volume.

Mathematics

Arithmetic Series Sum

Sum of arithmetic progression.

Mathematics

Geometric Series Sum

Sum of geometric progression.

Mathematics

Power Rule (Integral)

Integral of power function.

Mathematics

Logarithm Rule

Log product rule.

Mathematics

Euler's Identity

Fundamental identity.

Mathematics

Taylor Series

Series expansion.

Mathematics

Standard Deviation

Measure of variation.

Mathematics

Combination

Selection without order.

Mechanics

Resultant of Two Forces

Calculates the magnitude of the resultant force of two concurrent forces.

Mechanics

Moment of a Force

Calculates the moment of a force about a point.

Mechanics

Centroid of a Rectangle

Location of the centroid for a rectangular area.

Mechanics

Moment of Inertia (Rectangle)

Moment of inertia of a rectangle about its centroidal x-axis.

Mechanics

Kinematics: Velocity-Time

Calculates final velocity under constant acceleration.

Mechanics

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Mechanics

Newton's Second Law

Force mass acceleration.

Mechanics

Weight

Force of gravity.

Mechanics

Friction

Friction force.

Mechanics

Work

Work done by force.

Mechanics

Potential Energy

Gravitational energy.

Mechanics

Power

Rate of doing work.

Mechanics

Momentum

Mass in motion.

Mechanics

Impulse

Change in momentum.

Mechanics

Centripetal Force

Force for circular motion.

Mechanics

Hooke's Law (Spring)

Spring force.

Mechanics

Spring Potential Energy

Energy stored in spring.

Mechanics

Torque

Rotational force.

Mechanics

Angular Velocity

Rotation rate.

Mechanics

Stress

Force per area.

Mechanics

Strain

Deformation ratio.

Mechanics

Young's Modulus

Stiffness.

Mechanics

Poisson's Ratio

Lateral strain ratio.

Mechanics

Shear Modulus

Modulus of rigidity.

Surveying

Horizontal Distance (Slope)

Calculates the horizontal distance given the slope distance and vertical angle.

Surveying

Temperature Correction (Taping)

Correction for tape length due to temperature difference.

Surveying

Differential Leveling

Calculates elevation using Height of Instrument method.

Surveying

Latitude and Departure

Components of a traverse line.

Surveying

Area by Coordinates

Calculates the area of a polygon given the coordinates of its vertices.

Surveying

Curvature and Refraction Correction

Combined correction for earth curvature and atmospheric refraction (Metric).

Surveying

Horizontal Distance

Slope to horizontal.

Surveying

Vertical Distance

Vertical component.

Surveying

Latitude & Departure

Traverse components.

Surveying

Linear Error of Closure

Traverse error.

Surveying

Relative Precision

Accuracy ratio.

Surveying

Temp Correction

Tape temp adjustment.

Surveying

Pull Correction

Tape tension adjustment.

Surveying

Sag Correction

Tape sag adjustment.

Surveying

Leveling Equation

Elevation calculation.

Surveying

Curvature & Refraction

Correction for long sights.

Surveying

Stadia Horizontal

Stadia distance.

Surveying

Stadia Vertical

Stadia elevation diff.

Surveying

Compass Rule

Traverse adjustment.

Surveying

Area by Coordinates

Shoelace formula.

Surveying

Area by DMD

Double Meridian Distance.

Surveying

Photo Scale

Photogrammetry scale.

Surveying

Parallax Height

Object height from parallax.

Surveying

Azimuth from Bearing

Angle from North.

Surveying

Bearing from Azimuth

Quadrant direction.

Surveying

Sensitivity of Bubble

Bubble tube sensitivity.

Materials

Hooke's Law

Relationship between stress and strain within the elastic limit.

Materials

Poisson's Ratio

Ratio of transverse strain to axial strain.

Materials

Shear Modulus (Modulus of Rigidity)

Relationship between Shear Modulus, Young's Modulus, and Poisson's Ratio.

Materials

Thermal Strain

Strain induced by a change in temperature.

Materials

Specific Gravity

Ratio of the weight of a given volume of material to the weight of an equal volume of water.

Materials

Water Content

Ratio of the weight of water to the weight of solids in a given volume of soil.

Materials

Density

Mass density.

Materials

Specific Gravity

Relative density.

Materials

Moisture Content

Percent moisture.

Materials

Absorption

Water absorption capacity.

Materials

Fineness Modulus

Aggregate grading.

Materials

Concrete Mean Strength

Target mix strength.

Materials

Water-Cement Ratio

Mix proportion.

Materials

Voids in Aggregate

Space between particles.

Materials

Yield Strength

Stress at which plastic deformation begins.

Materials

Ultimate Strength

Max stress.

Materials

Modulus of Elasticity

Material stiffness.

Materials

Bulk Modulus

Volumetric stiffness.

Materials

Modulus of Toughness

Energy to fracture.

Materials

Modulus of Resilience

Elastic energy capacity.

Materials

Thermal Expansion

Strain per degree temp.

Materials

Brinell Hardness

Hardness test.

Materials

Charpy Impact

Energy absorbed.

Materials

Fatigue Life

Cycles to failure.

Materials

Creep Strain

Time dependent deformation.

Environmental

BOD Removal Efficiency

Percentage of Biochemical Oxygen Demand removed in a treatment process.

Environmental

Hydraulic Loading Rate

Volume of wastewater applied to the surface area of a treatment unit per unit time.

Environmental

Geometric Population Growth

Population projection assuming a constant percentage growth rate.

Environmental

Sound Pressure Level

Logarithmic measure of the effective pressure of a sound relative to a reference value.

Environmental

Stokes' Law (Settling Velocity)

Calculates the settling velocity of spherical particles in a fluid.

Environmental

Food to Microorganism Ratio (F/M)

Ratio of food entering the system to the biomass in the reactor.

Environmental

BOD First Order

Organic matter decay.

Environmental

5-Day BOD

Standard BOD test.

Environmental

Oxygen Sag Equation

Streeter-Phelps.

Environmental

Stokes Law

Particle settling velocity.

Environmental

Surface Loading Rate

Tank design.

Environmental

Weir Loading Rate

Clarifier design.

Environmental

F/M Ratio

Food to Microorganism.

Environmental

Sludge Age (MCRT)

Mean cell residence time.

Environmental

Chick's Law

Disinfection kinetics.

Environmental

Total Hardness

As CaCO3.

Environmental

Alkalinity

Buffering capacity.

Environmental

Sound Level Addition

Decibel addition.

Environmental

Sound Distance Attenuation

Point source decay.

Environmental

Gaussian Plume

Air pollution concentration.

Environmental

Landfill Volume

Space required.

Environmental

Rational Method

Stormwater runoff.

Environmental

Darcy Flux

Groundwater flow.

Environmental

Retardation Factor

Contaminant transport.

Environmental

Half Life

Time to half decay.

Environmental

Carcinogenic Risk

Health risk.

Economics

Simple Interest

Calculates the interest amount based on principal, time, and rate.

Economics

Compound Amount (Single Payment)

Calculates the future worth of a present amount.

Economics

Sinking Fund Factor

Calculates the uniform series amount required to accumulate a future sum.

Economics

Capital Recovery Factor

Calculates the uniform series amount equivalent to a present sum.

Economics

Benefit-Cost Ratio

Ratio of the present value of benefits to the present value of costs.

Economics

Break-Even Analysis

Determines the quantity at which total revenue equals total cost.

Economics

Present Worth (P/F)

Discounting.

Economics

Uniform Series PW (P/A)

Present value of annuity.

Economics

Uniform Series FW (F/A)

Future value of annuity.

Economics

Gradient PW (P/G)

Arithmetic gradient.

Economics

Effective Interest Rate

Annual effective rate.

Economics

Rule of 72

Doubling time.

Economics

Straight Line Depreciation

Uniform depreciation.

Economics

Sum of Years Digits

Accelerated depreciation.

Economics

Declining Balance

Fast write-off.

Economics

Bond Value

Price of bond.

Economics

Capitalized Cost

Perpetual cost.

Economics

Benefit Cost Ratio

Project feasibility.

Economics

Perpetuity

Infinite annuity.

Economics

Inflation Adjusted Rate

Real interest rate.

Economics

Payback Period

Simple return time.

Water Resources

Rational Method (Peak Runoff)

Estimates the peak discharge from a small watershed.

Water Resources

SCS Curve Number Method (Runoff Depth)

Estimates direct runoff depth from rainfall depth.

Water Resources

Horton's Infiltration Equation

Describes the infiltration capacity of soil over time.

Water Resources

Specific Yield

Ratio of the volume of water a rock or soil will yield by gravity drainage to the total volume.

Water Resources

Darcy's Law (Groundwater Flow)

Describes the flow of fluid through a porous medium.

Water Resources

Muskingum Method (Outflow)

Calculates the outflow at the end of a time step for flood routing.

Water Resources

Water Balance

Mass balance.

Water Resources

Runoff Coefficient

Ratio of runoff to rainfall.

Water Resources

Phi Index

Infiltration index.

Water Resources

Muskingum Method

Flood routing.

Water Resources

Thiem Eq (Confined)

Well flow confined.

Water Resources

Dupuit Eq (Unconfined)

Well flow unconfined.

Water Resources

Transmissivity

Aquifer property.

Water Resources

Storativity

Storage coeff.

Water Resources

Specific Capacity

Well productivity.

Water Resources

Penman Equation

Evapotranspiration.

Water Resources

SCS Curve Number

Runoff estimation.

Water Resources

Potential Retention

Max retention.

Water Resources

Hyetograph Intensity

Rainfall intensity.

Water Resources

Return Period

Recurrence interval.

Water Resources

Hydrologic Risk

Prob of event in n years.

Water Resources

Reservoir Capacity (Ripple)

Mass curve analysis.

Water Resources

Gumbel Distribution

Extreme value stats.

Water Resources

Weber Number

Surface tension forces.

Water Resources

Mach Number

Compressibility.

Water Resources

Bulk Modulus (Fluid)

Fluid elasticity.

Physics

Coulomb's Law

Electric force between two charges.

Physics

Ohm's Law

Relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.

Physics

Ideal Gas Law

Equation of state for an ideal gas.