RobHarrison:whole soil structure texture

Use of the 3phase diagram

RobHarrison:whole soil structure texture

sand

silt sand

silt silt silt

sand

Va Vp Vt Vw

air Ww Wt

water

Vs

solids

Ws

THE 3-phase diagram

Soil Relationshhips
Vt=Va+Vw+Vs Wt=Ww+Ws Ww =VwDw (=Vw*1 g/cc) Ws=VsDp
Va Vp Vt Vw water Ww Wt air

Definitions
Void ratio Porosity Water content
(moisture content)

=e = =n = = m = = Ww/Wt = Ws/Wt =S = = Dp = = Db =

Vp/Vs Vp/Vt Ww/Ws

% moisture % solids Degree of saturation Particle density

(specific gravity)

Vw/Vp Ws/Vs Ws /Vt

Bulk density
Vs solids Ws

Note: all of these are normally expressed as a %, i.e., times 100%

Example 1
A soil has the following characteristics: wet weight = 2500 g dry weight = 2000 g void ratio = 100% particle density = 2.5

wet weight dry weight void ratio particle density

= 2500 g = 2000 g = 100% = 2.5 g/cc

e = Vp/Vs = 100% Vp = 800 cc

Va = 300 cc Vp
= 800 cc

air Ww = 500g Wt
= 2500g

Vt = 1600 cc Vw = 500cc

water

Vs

= 2000g/2.5 g/cc = 800 cc solids

Ws = 2000g

Find
Water content
(moisture content)

Find
Ww/Ws*100% % moisture = Ww/Wt = 500 g/2500 g * 100% = 20%

= m =

= 500 g/2000 g * 100% = 25%

Va Vp 300 cc

air Ww

Va Vp 300 cc

air Ww

800 cc
Vt

1600 cc

500cc 800 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

800 cc
Vt

500g Wt 2500g
Ws

1600 cc

500cc 800 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

500g Wt 2500g
Ws

2000g

2000g

Find
% solids = Ww/Wt = 2000 g/2500 g * 100% = 80%

MOISTURE RELATIONSHIPS
Water (moisture) content = 25% % moisture = 20% % solids = 80% Therefore: % moisture = 100% - % solids
Ww

Va Vp 300 cc

air

800 cc
Vt

1600 cc

500cc 800 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

500g Wt 2500g
Ws

2000g

Example 2
A soil has the following characteristics: Dry weight = 2000 g Moisture content= 50% Volume = 2000 cc Particle density = 2.65 g/cc

Dry weight = 2000 g Moist. content = 50% Volume = 2000 cc Particle density = 2.65 g/cc

m = Ww/Ws 50% = Ww /2000g Ww = 1000 cc

Va = 245 cc Vp
= 1245 cc

air Ww = 1000g Wt
= 3000g

water Vt = 2000 cc Vw = 1000cc

= 2000g/2.65 g/cc = 755 cc solids

Vs

Ws = 2000g

Find
Porosity =n = Vp/Vt = 1245cc/2000cc * 100% = 62% Void ratio

Find
=e = Vp/Vs = 1245cc/755cc * 100% = 165%

Va Vp 245 cc

air Ww

Va Vp 245 cc

air Ww

1245 cc
Vt

2000 cc

1000cc 755 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

1245 cc
Vt

1000gWt 3000g
Ws

2000 cc

1000cc 755 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

1000gWt 3000g
Ws

2000g

2000g

Find
Degree of saturation = S = Vw/Vp = 1000cc/1245cc * 100% = 80%

Measuring water in soil

field wet soil (without weight of weighing dish)

35.17 g

oven dry soil

Va Vp 245 cc 1245 cc Vt

air Ww

(103oC,

Oven 24 hours)

2000 cc

1000cc 755 cc
Vs solids

Vw

water

1000gWt 3000g
Ws

27.68 g

2000g

% moisture % solids

= Ww/Wt = Ws/Wt

Measuring bulk density

Measuring pore space

Known volume

Known volume

Known volume

Oven dry sample determine dry weight

fill up with water - fill all voids (till saturation)

Determine oven dry weight Db = Ws/Vt

Vp = volume of water used to entirely fill up voids Dp = Ws/(Vt-Vp)

Alternate for measuring pore space

Known volume

= Vt
Vs

Oven dry sample determine dry weight

Vp = Vt - Vs Dp = Ws/(Vs)