University of Southeastern Philippines

Tagum-Mabini Campus
College of Engineering
Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering

Soil Volume and Mass

Relationship of Soil
Components
LWE 311 - HYDROMETEOROLOGY

Submitted By:

NADONZA, PIO JR M.
BSABE – 3B Student

Submitted To:

ENGR. TEOFILO JR U. SEVILLA

Instructor
 Date of Submission: ______________
Student’s Name: Criteria Score
Lab Exercise No.: Technicalities (25)
Lab Exercise Title: Content (25)
TOTAL

1.0 Overview/Background

This laboratory activity focuses on determining essential soil physical properties,

including soil mass wetness, volume wetness, bulk density, particle density, porosity, and void
ratio. These properties play a crucial role in irrigation and drainage engineering as they
influence water retention, drainage efficiency, and the availability of water for plants (Hillel,
2004).

Soil mass wetness and volume wetness provide measures of water content relative to
dry soil mass and total volume, respectively. Bulk density, which is the mass of soil per unit
volume, affects root growth, aeration, and water movement (Brady & Weil, 2017). Particle
density, representing the density of individual soil particles, helps in understanding soil mineral
composition. Porosity and void ratio indicate the proportion of pore spaces in the soil, which
impacts water infiltration, storage, and aeration, all of which are critical for plant health and
microbial activity (Lal & Shukla, 2004).

Accurate assessment of these properties is essential in irrigation planning, drainage

system design, and soil moisture management. Proper water management ensures optimal
crop growth while preventing waterlogging, nutrient leaching, and soil degradation.
Understanding soil properties allows for efficient irrigation scheduling, reducing water waste and
improving agricultural productivity (FAO, 2015). The findings from this laboratory analysis
contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and the conservation of water resources.

1.1 Objectives

1. Determine mass wetness and volume wetness of soil using the gravimetric (oven drying)
method.
2. Calculate bulk density, particle density, porosity, and void ratio from the obtained soil data.
3. Understand how soil physical properties affect soil-water occurrence and movement.
2.0 Methodology

2.1 Location of the Laboratory Exercise

The collection of soil samples was conducted inside the University of Southeastern
Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus, Tagum Unit.

Figure 1. University of Southeastern Philippines Satellite View (7°25'7"N 125°49'50"E)

2.2 Materials Used

● Soil samples
● Moisture can
● Weighing balance
● Drying oven
● Desiccator
● Spatula
● Ruller
● Graduated cylinder

2.3 Procedures

Sample Collection and Initial Weighing

Before collecting soil samples, moisture cans were labeled, with S1 representing soil
sample 1 and S2 representing soil sample 2. Each empty can or sampler was then weighed
using an electronic balance (W₁), with both S1 and S2 having a mass of 26.41 grams.

Subsequently, the volume of the empty moisture can was determined by measuring its
dimensions using a ruler, as calipers were not available. The moisture can had a height of 9.4
cm and a diameter of 7.4 cm. Using the formulaV =π r 2 h , the volume was calculated to be
404.28 cubic centimeters.
 Following this, representative soil samples were collected from the field using moisture
cans to preserve their natural structure for bulk density determination. The soil surface was
trimmed and leveled to match the edges of the cylindrical sampler, ensuring a uniform sample
volume. Finally, the moist soil, along with the can or sampler, was weighed (W₂). S1 weighs
660 g while S2 weighs 642g.

Figure 2. Soil sample collection using soil moisture

Drying Process

The cans and samplers were placed in a drying oven set at 105°C on March 19 at 4:00
PM and left for 24 hours to remove all moisture. After the drying process, the cans were covered
and allowed to cool in a desiccator. Once cooled, the dry soil along with the can or sampler was
weighed (W₃), S1 weighs 554g while S2 weighs 510 grams.
 Figure 3. Soil sampler oven drying at 105°C for 24 hours

Bulk Density and Particle Density Determination

The volume of the soil core was determined using the previously measured dimensions
of the moisture cans—9.4 cm in height and 7.4 cm in diameter. A ruler was used to measure the
sampler’s dimensions, as calipers were not available. Using the formula V=πr2h, the volume
was calculated to be 404.28 cubic centimeters. The bulk density was then computed using the
dry soil weight and soil core volume.

To determine particle density, a known dry soil mass was placed in a graduated cylinder
or volumetric flask which was filled with water up to 600 ml, and the displaced water volume was
measured by subtracting the volume of water after putting the soil to 600 ml, since 1 ml is equal
to 1 cubic centimeter there were no calculations needed for conversion. The volume of the dried
soil samples was recorded as 250 cm^3 and 200 cm^3 for S1 and S2 respectively.
Figure 4. Calculation of soil volume using water displacement method

Table 1. Raw data table

Moisture cans parameters

 Weight of cans =26.41 grams.
 Diameter = 7.4 cm.
 Height 9.4 cm
 Volume = 404.28 cm3

Moisture cans with moist soil

 Weight
S1= 660g
S2 = 642g

Moisture cans with dry soil

 Weight
S1 = 554g
S2 = 510g
 Dry soil volume

 Initial volume of water in the

beaker without soil = 600lm or
600cm^3
 Displaced by S1 = 850 cm^3
 Displaced by S2 = 800 cm^3
 Volume S1 = 850-600 = 250 cm^3
 Volume S2 = 800-600 = 200 cm^3

3. Results

● Mass Wetness (Gravimetric Water Content)

m/m (%) = [{W₂ - W₃}/{W₃ - W₁}] x 100 [Eqn. 2]

Where: W₁= Mass of empty can = 26.41 g

For Sample 1 (S1)

W₂= Mass of moist soil + can/ sampler =

W₃= Mass of dry soil + can/ sampler =

651 g−532 g
M= ∗100
532 g−26.41 g

M=

For sample 2 (S2)

● Bulk Density (Bd)

Bd = {Mass of dry soil}/{Volume of soil core} [Eqn. 3]

Where: Mass of dry soil (g) = W₃-W₁ =505.59 g

Volume of soil core = 404.28 cm³

505.59 g
Bd=
404.28 cm ³

Bd= 1.25g/ cm³

● Particle Density (Pd)

Pd = {Mass of dry soil}/{Volume of displaced water} [Eqn. 4]

Where: Mass of dry soil (g) = W₃-W₁ = 505.59 g

Volume of soil = 225 cm³

505.59 g
Pd=
225 cm3

Pd= 2.25g/cm³

● Volume Wetness (Volumetric Water Content)

v/v (%) = (Bd/Density of Water) x m/m (%) [Eqn. 5]

1.25 g /cm ³
Vv= ∗¿0.2354 =0.2943 or 29.43%
1 g /cm ³

Where: m/m (%) = Mass wetness (decimal form)

Bd = Bulk density (g/cm³)

Density of Water = 1.0 g/cm³

● Porosity (n)

n = [1-{Bd/Pd}] x 100 [Eqn. 6]

Where: Bd = Bulk density (g/cm³) = 1.25g/ cm³

Pd = Particle density (g/cm³) =2.25g/cm³

1.25 g/cm ³
n=(1− )∗100
2.25 g/cm ³
n= 44.44%

● Void Ratio (e)

 e = {n/(1-n)} x 100 [Eqn. 7]

Where: n = Porosity (in decimal form)

0.444
e= ∗100
1−0.444
e = 80%

Answer the following questions:

Guide Questions Answer

1. If the volume of soil pores If the volume of soil pores increases, the
increases, what happens to particle density remains unchanged. Particle
particle density? Justify your density is defined as the mass of soil solids
answer based on the method of divided by the volume of soil solids. Since the
determining particle density. volume of pores refers to the spaces between
soil particles and does not affect the volume
of the solids themselves, it does not influence
particle density. In the water displacement
method, only the volume of solid particles is
considered, as water fills the air spaces
without altering the measured solid volume.
2. Two soil samples have the same
particle density, but one has a
higher bulk density. Which sample
has a higher porosity, and how
does this affect its ability to retain
and drain water?
3. If bulk density increases due to soil
compaction, what happens to mass
wetness and volume wetness for a
given moisture condition? How
would this impact irrigation
efficiency?
4. If a soil has a higher void ratio, does
it necessarily mean that it will have
better drainage? Explain how
factors
like soil texture and structure influence
this relationship.
5. In two different soils with the same
bulk density, but one has a higher
particle density, which soil would
likely hold more water? Explain
how particle density influences soil
porosity and water retention.
4.0 Documentation

5.0 References

1. Brady, N. C., & Weil, R. R. (2017). The nature and properties of soils (15th ed.).
Pearson.

2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2015). Soil and water management:
A manual for sustainable agriculture. FAO.

3. Hillel, D. (2004). Introduction to environmental soil physics. Academic Press.

4. Lal, R., & Shukla, M. K. (2004). Principles of soil physics. Marcel Dekker.