The Spherocylinder (Capsule) Load Weight calculator computes the weight of the loaded in capsule shaped container, also known as a spherocylinder. 
Capsule or Spherocylinder Container
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:
- (l) Length
- (d) Diameter
- (mD) Mean Density of contents of the capsule.
Capsule Load Weight (W): The calculator returns the load weight in pounds. However, this can be automatically converted to other mass or weight units via the pull-down menu.
The Math / Science
CONTAINER SHAPES
Conic Cylinder
Capsule Shaped
Box Container 
Spherical Tank
The load weight is measure by calculating the volume and then multiplying volume by the mean density of the substance being carried. See diagram
| Common Mean Densities | |
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Fluids
Fuels
Market-Ready Grains |
Metals
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Mean Density is the average amount of mass within a volume for a substance. Note, volume of a material is often highly subject to the temperatures, since materials expand as they warm. For that reason, mean densities of substances are often cited with a set of nominal conditions such as temperature and barometric pressure.
The formula for mean density is:
μD = V / m
where:
- μD = mean density
- V = Volume in units like cubic meters or cubic inches
- m = Mass in units like kilograms or pounds
Mean density is also often indicated as the Greek symbol rho (ρ).
Mass and Weight
Density is a function of mass. However, converting from mass to weight is trivial under the right conditions. Fortunately those conditions are generally true anywhere on the surface of the Earth, so the conversions built into the vCalc engine can be assumed to be fairly accurate unless you require weight at very high altitudes or in space.
CLICK HERE for a pop-up function that provides the mean density (mD or μD) of many common substances, elements, liquids and materials.
Mean Density Units
Mean density is scientifically volume divided by mass. There are various unit for density adopted by cultures and industries. Common units for density included the following:
- kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3)
- grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3)
- grams per liter (g/L)
- pounds per cubic feet (lb/ft3)
- ounces per cubic inch (oz/in3)
- pounds per barrel (lb/bbl)
- pounds per bushel (lb/bu)
vCalc provides for automatic conversions between density units via the pull-down menus.
Other Container Calculators
For similar calculations with other shaped containers, click on the following:
- Volume of a Conic Cylinder
- Load Weight of a Conic Cylinder
- Volume of a Capsule (Spherocylinder)
- Load Weight of a Capsule (Spherocylinder)
- Total or Partial Volume of a Box (Rectangular). For the partial volume, simply use the depth of substance in the container instead of the total depth of the container.
- Total or Partial Load Weight of a Box (Rectangular). For the weight of a partial load, simply use the depth of substance in the container instead of the total depth of the container.
- Volume of a Spherical Container
- Total or Partial Load Weight of a Spherical Container. For the total load weight, simply indicated the same value for the measure depth (D) of the substance to equal twice the radius (R) of the container. (See diagram)
- The mean density of many substances, CLICK HERE.
The Mean Density of many substances (metals, mineral, chemicals, gases, woods, agricultural products, liquids and types of earths) can be looked up by CLICKING HERE.
Or you can see these formulas and other useful measurements all combined in one TRUCKING calculator.