A 55-gallon barrel filled with water includes the weight of both the liquid and its container. This article details the components contributing to this weight and explores factors that can influence its exact measurement.
Understanding the Total Weight
A 55-gallon barrel filled with water typically weighs between 475 and 507 pounds. This range accounts for the water’s weight and the varying weights of empty barrels made from different materials.
Pure water weighs approximately 8.34 pounds per gallon at typical room temperature. Therefore, 55 gallons of water alone will weigh around 458.7 to 459 pounds. This figure represents the liquid content’s mass under standard conditions.
The empty barrel’s material significantly impacts the overall weight. An empty 55-gallon plastic drum weighs between 20 and 25 pounds. An empty 55-gallon steel drum is heavier, ranging from 38 to 48 pounds. Fiber drums are lighter, weighing around 16 to 20 pounds when empty.
A 55-gallon plastic barrel filled with water will weigh approximately 479 to 484 pounds. A steel barrel will be heavier, ranging from about 497 to 507 pounds. A fiber drum containing 55 gallons of water would weigh between 475 and 479 pounds.
Factors Influencing the Weight
Several variables can cause the actual weight of a 55-gallon barrel of water to deviate from these standard calculations. Water’s density and weight are affected by temperature. Water reaches its maximum density at approximately 4°C (39.2°F), where it is nearly 1 gram per milliliter. As water temperature increases or decreases from this point, its density slightly decreases, causing a small reduction in weight per gallon.
The purity and composition of the water also play a role. Water containing dissolved minerals, salts, or other impurities will be denser and therefore heavier than pure water. For example, saltwater is notably heavier than freshwater due to its dissolved salt content. These dissolved substances add mass to the water, increasing its overall weight.
The specific construction and material of the barrel itself contribute to weight variations. While general ranges for steel, plastic, and fiber barrels are provided, individual manufacturers may produce barrels with slight differences in material thickness or design. These subtle differences in barrel weight directly influence the final total weight of the filled container.
Practical Applications
Knowing the weight of a 55-gallon barrel of water is useful in several real-world contexts. For transportation and shipping, this information is important for calculating appropriate load capacities for vehicles and freight containers. This helps ensure compliance with weight limits and promotes safety during transit.
Understanding the weight also aids in assessing structural loads on various surfaces. Whether storing barrels on industrial platforms, warehouse floors, or residential areas, knowing the concentrated weight helps prevent structural stress or damage. This is particularly relevant for large-scale water storage.
In emergency preparedness and water storage planning, awareness of the weight is important for logistical considerations. It helps individuals and organizations plan for the physical handling, movement, and stable placement of these heavy containers. This knowledge supports effective and secure water reserves.