Mw = 132 – 113.79 = 18.

21 kg
Now, Vw = Mw = 18.21 = 0.01821 m3
ρw 1000
Vs = Ms = 113.79 = 0.04294 m3
Gsρw 2.65 x 1000
Vv = V – Vs = 0.0629 – 0.04294 = 0.01996 m3

(1) Dry density, ρd = Ms/V = 113.79 / 0.0629 = 1,809 kg/m3

(2) Porosity, n = Vv/V x 100 = 0.01996 x100 / 0.0629 = 31.73%
(3) Void ratio, e = Vv / Vs = 0.01996 / 0.04294 = 0.4648
(4) Degree of saturation, S = Vw / Vv x 100 = 0.01821x 100 / 0.01996 = 91.23%
Quiz #2
Earth is required to be excavated from borrow pits for building an embankment. The wet unit
weight of undisturbed soil is 18.0 kN/m3 and its water content is 5%. In order to build a 4 m high
embankment with top width 2.5 m and side slopes 1:1, estimate the quantity of earth required
to be excavated per meter length of embankment. The dry unit weight required in the
embankment is 15.0 kN/m3 with a moisture content of 8%. Assume the specific gravity of solids
as 2.67. Also determine the void ratios and the degree of saturation of the soil in both the
undisturbed and remolded states.

The dry unit weight of soil in the borrow pit is

𝛾𝑑 = 𝛾𝑑 ÷ (1 + 𝜔) = 18÷ (1 + .05) = 17.14 kN/m3
Volume of embankment per meter length Ve
Ve = (2.5 + 10.5) (4) = 26 m3
2
The dry unit weight of soil in the embankment is 15.0 kN/m3
Volume of earth required to be excavated Vex per meter
Vex = 26 x 15 = 22.75 m3
17.14

Undisturbed state
Vs = 𝛾𝑑 / Gs 𝛾𝑤 = 17.14 / (2.67 X 9.81) = 0.65 m3 ; Vv = 1 – 0.65 = 0.35 m3
;

e = 0.35/0.65 = 0.538 ≈ 0.54; Ww = 18.00 – 17.14 = 0.86 kN

Degree of Saturation, S = Vw x 100, Vw = Ww = 0.86 = 0.088 m3

Vv 𝛾𝑤 9.81
S = 0.088 x 100 = 25.1%
0.35

Remolded state
Vs = 𝛾𝑑 / Gs 𝛾𝑤 = 15 / (2.67 X 9.81) = 0.57 m3 ; Vv = 1 – 0.57 = 0.43 m3
e = 0.43 / 0.57 = 0.75; 𝛾𝑑 = 𝛾𝑑 (1 + 𝑤) = 15(1 + .08) = 16.2 kN/m3

Therefore, Ww = 16.2 – 15 = 1.2 kN

Vw = 1.2 / 9.81 = 0.122 m3
S = 0.122 x 100 = 28.45% ≈ 28.5%
0.43