In aircraft design, the density of a cargo compartment typically refers to the average density of the cargo or items being transported within that compartment. It’s important to note that the cargo compartment itself is typically constructed from lightweight materials like aluminum, and its density is relatively constant. Therefore, the density calculation usually pertains to the cargo or payload inside the compartment.
Here’s the definition and SI unit for cargo density:The formula for calculating cargo density is as follows:
Cargo Density (ρ) = Total Cargo Mass / Cargo Compartment VolumeWhere:
- Cargo Density (ρ) is the density of the cargo within the compartment, typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
- Total Cargo Mass is the total mass of all cargo items stored in the compartment, measured in kilograms (kg).
- Cargo Compartment Volume is the total volume of the cargo compartment in which the cargo is stored, typically measured in cubic meters (m³).