Discussion

Soils contain three components, which may be characterized as solid, liquid, and gas.
The solid components of soil are weathered rock and (sometimes) decayed vegetation.
The liquid component of soils is almost always water (often with dissolved matter), and
the gas component is air. The volume of water and air combined is referred to as the
void.

Figure 3.1 gives a block diagram showing the components of a soil. These
components may be considered in terms of both their volumes and their
weights/masses. In Figure 3.1, terms V, Va, Vw, Vs, and Vv represent total volume and
volume of air, water, solid matter, and voids, respectively. Terms W, Wa, Ww, and Ws
stand for total weight and weight of air, water, and solid matter, respectively. Similarly,
terms M, Ma, Mw, and Ms denote total mass and mass of air, water, and solid matter,
respectively. The weight and mass of air (Wa and Ma) are both virtually zero.

Figure 3.1 Components of soil

Weight/Mass and Volume Relationships

A number of important relationships exist among the components of soil in terms of

both weight/mass and volume. These relationships define new parameters that are
useful in working with soils.
In terms of volume, the following new parameters are important – void ratio,
porosity, and degree of saturation. Void ratio (e) is the ratio (expressed as a decimal
fraction) of volume of voids to volume of solids.
𝑉𝑣
𝑒= (1)
𝑉𝑠

Porosity (n) is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of volume of voids to total volume.
 𝑉𝑣
𝑛= 𝑥 100% (2)
𝑉

Degree of saturation (S) is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of volume of water to

volume of voids.

𝑉𝑤
𝑆= (3)
𝑉𝑣

In terms of weight/mass, the new parameters are water content, unit weight,
dry unit weight, unit mass (or density), dry unit mass (or dry density), and specific
gravity of solids. (Note: The terms unit weight and unit mass is imply wet unit weight
and wet unit mass. If a dry unit weight or dry unit mass is intended, the adjective dry
is indicated explicitly.) Water content (w) is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of
weight of water to weight of solids or the ratio of mass of water to mass of solids.

𝑊𝑤 𝑀𝑤
𝑤= 𝑥 100% = 𝑥 100% (4)
𝑊𝑠 𝑀𝑠

Unit weight (𝛾) is the total weight (weight of solid plus weight of water) divided by the
total volume (volume of solid plus volume of water plus volume of air). Unit weight is
expressed in kilo Newton per cubic meter.

𝑊
𝛾= (5)
𝑉

Dry unit weight (𝛾𝑑 ) is weight of solids divided by total volume,

𝑊𝑠
𝛾𝑑 = (6)
𝑉

Unit mass (𝜌) is total mass divided by total volume.

𝑀
𝜌= (7)
𝑉

Dry unit mass (𝜌𝑑 ) is a mass of solids divided by total volume.

𝑀𝑠
𝜌𝑑 = (8)
𝑉

Specific gravity of solids (Gs) is the ratio of unit weight of solids (weight of solids divided
by volume of solids) to unit weight of water or of unit mass of solids (mass of solids
divided by volume of solids) to unit mass of water.

𝑊𝑠 ⁄𝑉𝑠 𝑊𝑠
𝐺𝑠 = = (9)
𝛾𝑤 𝑉𝑠 𝛾𝑤

𝑀𝑠 ⁄𝑉𝑠 𝑀𝑠
𝐺𝑠 = = (10)
𝜌𝑤 𝑉𝑠 𝜌𝑤
where 𝛾𝑤 and 𝜌𝑤 are the unit weight and unit mass of water, respectively.

The unit weight of water varies slightly with temperature; but at normal
temperatures, it has a value of around 62.4 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft 3) or 9.81 kilo
Newtons per cubic meter (kN/m3). The unit mass (density) of water is 1000 kilograms
per cubic meter (kg/m3) or 1 gram per cubic centimeter (gm/cm3).

The unit weight can also be expressed in terms of weight of soil solids, moisture
content, and total volume.

𝑊
𝑊 𝑊𝑠 +𝑊𝑤 𝑊𝑠 [1+( 𝑤 )] 𝑊𝑠 (1+𝑤)
𝑊 𝑠
𝛾= = = = (11)
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉 𝑉

The relationship among unit weight, dry unit weight and moisture content is
expressed as
𝛾
𝛾𝑑 = (12)
1+𝑤

For an unsaturated (partially saturated) state and saturated state, consider

setting the volume of solids to unity (𝑉𝑠 = 1) the void ratio is solved as shown in the
figure below.

Unsaturated state Saturated state

Fig. 3.2 Block diagram showing void ratio

For unsaturated and saturated state, consider setting the total volume to unity
(𝑉 = 1) the porosity can be obtained as shown below.
 Unsaturated state Saturated state

Fig. 3.3 Block diagram showing porosity

Relationship between Unit Weight, Void Ratio, Moisture Content, and Specific
Gravity

From the phase relationship and the definition of unit weight:

𝑊 𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑤 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 + 𝑤𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾= = =
𝑉 𝑉 1+𝑒

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (1+𝑤)
𝛾= (1+𝑒)
(13)

The dry unit weight can be expressed as:

𝑊𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑑 = = (14)
𝑉 1+𝑒

Relationship among Unit Weight, Void Ratio, Moisture Content, and Specific
Gravity

From the phase diagrams, the weight of water in the soil element under consideration
is 𝑤𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 , therefore the volume occupied by water is:

𝑊𝑤 𝑤𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝑉𝑤 = = = 𝑤𝐺𝑠
𝛾𝑤 𝛾𝑤

From the definition of degree of saturation

𝑉𝑤 𝑤𝐺𝑠
𝑆= =
𝑉𝑣 𝑒
Hence,
𝑆𝑒 = 𝑤𝐺𝑠 (15)
When the soil sample is fully saturated, the void spaces are completely filled with
water. The saturated unit weight of the soil can be calculated as:

𝑊 𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑤 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 + 𝑒𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = = =
𝑉 𝑉 1+𝑒

(𝐺𝑠 +𝑒)𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = (16)
1+𝑒

Soils engineers must be proficient in determining these parameters based on

laboratory evaluations of weight/mass and volume of the components of a soil. Use of
a block diagram as shown in Figure 3.1 is recommended to help obtain answers more
quickly and accurately.

Sample Problem 01:

The moist mass of a soil specimen is 20.9 kg. It has a volume of 0.011 m3 and the
mass after drying is 16.5 kg. If the specific gravity of solids is 2.68, determine: a)
void ratio; b) degree of saturation; c) density; d) dry density; e) unit weight; and f) dry
unit weight.

Given: 𝑀 = 20.9 𝑘𝑔; 𝑉 = 0.011 𝑚3 ; 𝑀𝑠 = 16.5 𝑘𝑔; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.68

Req’d: (a) e; (b) S; (c) 𝜌; (d) 𝜌𝑑 ; (e) 𝛾; (f) 𝛾𝑑

Solution:

(a) Void ratio, e:

𝑉𝑣
𝑒=
𝑉𝑠

𝑀𝑠 16.5
𝑉𝑠 = = = 0.0062 𝑚3
𝐺𝑠 𝜌𝑤 2.68(1000)

𝑉𝑣 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑠 = 0.011 − 0.0062 = 0.0048 𝑚3

𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟖
Therefore 𝒆= = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟕
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟔𝟐

(b) Degree of saturation, S:

𝑉𝑤
𝑆= 𝑥 100
𝑉𝑣

𝑀𝑤 (20.9 − 16.5)
𝑉𝑤 = = = 0.0044 𝑚3
𝜌𝑤 1000
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟒
Therefore 𝑺= 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝟗𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 %
𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟖
(c) Density of soil, 𝜌:
𝑀 20.9
𝜌= =
𝑉 0.011

𝝆 = 𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑

(d) Dry density

𝑀𝑠 16.5
𝜌𝑑 = =
𝑉 0.011

𝝆𝒅 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑

(e) Unit weight:

𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔 = 1900 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 (9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )

𝜸 = 𝟏𝟖, 𝟔𝟑𝟗 𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟔𝟑𝟗 𝒌𝑵/𝒎𝟑

(f) Dry unit weight:

𝛾𝑑 = 𝜌𝑑 𝑔 = 1500 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 (9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 )

𝜸𝒅 = 𝟏𝟒, 𝟕𝟏𝟓 𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕𝟏𝟓 𝒌𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑

Sample 02:

An undisturbed soil sample has the following data: void ratio = 0.79; water content =
13 %; specific gravity of solids = 2.68. Determine: (a) moist unit weight and dry unit
weight; (b) degree of saturation; and (c) porosity.

Given: 𝑒 = 0.79; 𝑤 = 13%; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.68

Req’d: (a) 𝛾 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛾𝑑 ; (b) S; (c) 𝑛

Solution:

(a) Unit weight, 𝛾:

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (1 + 𝑤)
𝛾=
(1 + 𝑒 )

2.68(9.81)(1 + 0.13)
𝛾=
(1 + 0.79)

𝜸 = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟔 𝒌𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑

Dry unit weight, 𝛾𝑑 :

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 2.68(9.81)
𝛾𝑑 = =
1+𝑒 1 + 0.79

𝜸𝒅 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟔𝟗 𝒌𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑
 (b) Degree of saturation, S:

𝑤𝐺𝑠 0.13(2.68)
𝑆= = 𝑥 100
𝑒 0.79

𝑺 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟏𝟎%
(c) Porosity, n:
𝑒 0.79
𝑛= =
1+𝑒 1+0.79

𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 = 𝟒𝟒 %

Sample Problem 03:

A soil sample has the following data: void ratio = 0.95; degree of saturation = 36%;
and specific gravity of solids = 2.72. Determine: (a) water content; and (b) unit
weight.

Given; 𝑒 = 0.95; 𝑆 = 36%; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.72

Req’d: (a) water content, w; (b) unit weight, 𝛾

Solution:

(a) Water content, w:

𝑆𝑒 = 𝑤𝐺𝑠

𝑆𝑒 36(0.95)
𝑤= =
𝐺𝑠 2.72

𝒘 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟓𝟕%

(b) Unit weight, 𝛾:

𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (1 + 𝑤)
𝛾=
(1 + 𝑒 )

2.72(9.81)(1 + 0.1257)
𝛾=
(1 + 0.95)

𝜸 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟒 𝒌𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑

Sample Problem 04:

A 100% saturated soil has a unit weight of 18.85 kN/m3. The water content of this
saturated soil was determined to be 36%. Determine (a) void ratio, and (b) specific
gravity of solids.
Given: 𝑆 = 100%; 𝛾 = 18.85 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚3 ; 𝑤 = 36%

Req’d.: (a) void ratio; (b) specific gravity of solids

Sol’n.:
𝑉𝑣
(a) Void ratio, e: 𝑒 =
𝑉𝑠

𝑊 = 𝑊𝑤 + 𝑊𝑠 = 18.85 𝑘𝑁 (1)

From water content:

𝑊𝑤
𝑤=
𝑊𝑠

𝑊𝑤 = 0.36 𝑊𝑠 (2)

Substitute (2) to (1)

0.36𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑠 = 18.85 𝑘𝑁

𝑊𝑠 = 13.86 𝑘𝑁

𝑊𝑤 = 0.36 (13.86) = 4.99 𝑘𝑁

𝑊𝑤 4.99
From 𝑉𝑤 = = = 0.509 𝑚3
𝛾𝑤 9.81

𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑤 = 1 − 0.509 = 0.491𝑚3
𝑉𝑣 𝑉𝑤 0.509
Solve for e: 𝑒= = =
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 0.491

𝒆 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟒

(b) Specific gravity, 𝐺𝑠 :

𝑊𝑠 13.86
From 𝐺𝑠 = =
𝑉𝑠 𝛾𝑤 0.491(9.81)

𝑮𝒔 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟖

Sample Problem 05:

The weight of a chunk of moist soil sample is 203 N having a volume of 0.1113 m3.
After the sample is dried in an oven, its weight is 168 N. The specific gravity of the
soil solids is 2.65. Determine: (a) water content; (b) unit weight of moist soil; (c) void
ratio; (d) porosity; and (e) degree of saturation.

Given: 𝑊 = 203 𝑁; 𝑉 = 0.122 𝑚3 ; 𝑊𝑠 = 168 𝑁; 𝐺𝑠 = 2.65

Req’d.: (a) w; (b) 𝛾; (c) e; (d) n; (e) S

Sol’n.:

(a) Water content, w;

𝑊𝑤 203 − 168
𝑤= 𝑥 100% = 𝑥 100%
𝑊𝑠 168

𝒘 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟖𝟑 %

(b) Moist unit weight, 𝛾:

𝑊 203 𝑁
𝛾= = = 17964.46 𝑁⁄𝑚3
𝑉 0.0113 𝑚3

𝜸 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟗𝟔 𝒌𝑵⁄𝒎𝟑
𝑉𝑣
(c) Void ratio: 𝑒 =
𝑉𝑠

Solve for volume of solids:

𝑊𝑠 0.168
𝑉𝑠 = =
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 2.65(9.81)

𝑉𝑠 = 0.006 𝑚3

Solve for volume of voids:

𝑉𝑣 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑠 = 0.0113 − 0.0065

𝑉𝑣 = 0.0048

Solve for void ratio:

𝑉𝑣 0.0048
𝑒= =
𝑉𝑠 0.0065

𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟒
𝑉𝑣
(d) Solve for porosity, n: 𝑛 = 𝑥 100%
𝑉

0.0048
𝑛= 𝑥 100%
0.0113

𝒏 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟒𝟖%
𝑉𝑤
(e) Degree of saturation, S: 𝑆 = 𝑥 100%
𝑉𝑠
Solve for volume of water:

𝑊𝑤 0.035𝑘𝑁
𝑉𝑤 = = = 0.00357 𝑚3
𝛾𝑤 9.81 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚3

Solve for degree of saturation:

0.00357
𝑆= 𝑥 100%
0.0048

𝑺 = 𝟕𝟒. 𝟑𝟑%