Metre, Square Metre and Cubic Metre.

to view the video on this topic got to Metre, Square Metre and Cubic Metre.

In the construction industry here in Australia we use the metric system of measurement focusing mainly on millimetres and metres. Millimetres are obviously used where smaller dimensions are needed as when they are used for larger dimensions the number become pretty large and confusing.

Metre

Metres (m), sometime called lineal metres (lin.m) is used to measure the length or perimeter of something, a piece of timber, the cornice in a room, the architrave around a door or window.

Square Meters

Square Meters (m2) is used when we need to know the area of something. I always think that an area calculation needs 2 measurements (L x W) so the answer should be in Square Metres (m2).

Area can be used when we need to know how much reinforcement we need in a concrete slab, floor coverings in a room or paint needed on a wall.

Cubic Metres

Cubic Metres (m3) is used when we need to know the volume of something. Again I alway think that an volume calculation needs 3 measurements (L x W x D) so the answer should be in Cubic Metres (m3).

Volume can be used when we need to know how much concrete is in a slab, how much spoil will come out of an excavation or how much fill will be required.

I sometimes think that people visualize the as the 1m x 1m x 1m block as above and can’t make the connection that if the object is not at least 1m in all dimensions the it cant be a cubic metre however as you can see from the pictures opposite this is not the case. These objects are 1m x 1m x 0.100m thick and there are 10 in each picture this is equal to a cubic metre.