GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING I

(SOIL MECHANICS)
Module 2: Physical Properties of Soil

. . • in engineering practice, difficulties with soils are almost

exclusive/y due not to the soils themselves but to the water
contained in their voids. On a planet without any water there
would be no need for soil mechanics.
Karl Terzaghi, 1939

ENGR. GRACE T. DOLLOSO

 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
SOIL PHASE RELATIONSHIPS
Soil mass consists of sold particles which form a porous structure. It is generally a
three phase system. It consists of solid particles, liquid and gas. For all practical
purposes, the liquid may be considered to be water (although in some cases, the
water may contain some dissolved salts) and the gas as air. The phase system
may be expressed in SI units either in terms of mass-volume or weight-volume
relationships. The inter relationships of the different phases are important since
they help to define the condition or the physical make-up of the soil. The three
constituents are blended together to form a complex material.
The voids in the soil mass may be filled with air, with water or partly with air and partly with water.

Phase diagrams
describe the relative
proportions of solids,
water, and air in a soil.
One side presents
weights or masses,
while the other
presents volumes.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Mass-Volume Relationship
In SI units, the mass M, is normally expressed in kg and the density p in kg/m3 . Sometimes, the mass and densities are
also expressed in g and g/cm3 or Mg and Mg/m3 respectively. The density of water po at 4 °C is exactly 1.00 g/cm3 (= 1000
kg/m3 = 1 Mg/m3 ). Since the variation in density is relatively small over the range of temperatures encountered in
ordinary engineering practice, the density of water w at other temperatures may be taken the same as that at 4 °C. The
volume is expressed either in cm3 or m3 .
Weight-Volume Relationship
Unit weight or weight per unit volume is still the common measurement in geotechnical engineering practice. The density
, may be converted to unit weight, by using the relationship
 = g.
The 'standard' value of g is 9.807 m/s2 (= 9.81 m/s2 for all practical purposes).
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
SOIL AS A 3- PHASE SYSTEM
The total volume (V) of a given soil sample can be expressed as

V = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑉 V = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑤 + 𝑉𝑎

Where:

V = total volume of soil 𝑉𝑤 = volume of water in the voids

𝑉𝑠 = volume of soil solids 𝑉𝑎 = volume of air in the voids

𝑉𝑉 = volume of voids

The total weight (W) of a given soil sample can be expressed as

Block diagram—three phases of a soil element W = 𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑤 𝑊𝑎 = 0
For a dry soil For a fully saturated soil
For soil mechanics problem, 𝑊𝑎 or 𝑀𝑎 is assumed to be
𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑎 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑤 negligible.
Where:
The volume of voids W = total weight of soil 𝑊𝑎 = weight of air = 0

𝑉𝑉 = 𝑉𝑎 + 𝑉𝑤 𝑊𝑠 = weight of soil solids 𝑊𝑤 = weight of water

 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Volumetric Ratios
There are three volumetric ratios that are very useful in 3. The degree of saturation S is defined as the ratio, often
geotechnical engineering and these can be determined expressed as a percentage, of the volume of water to the
directly from the phase diagram, volume of voids:

1. The void ratio, e, is defined as the ratio of the volume

of void space to the volume of solids.
where, 𝑉𝑉 = volume of voids, and 𝑉𝑠 = volume of the solids.
The void ratio e is always expressed as a decimal.
2. The porosity, n is defined as the ratio of the volume of
voids to the total volume.
where, 𝑉𝑤 = volume of water
It is always expressed as a percentage. When S = 0%, the
soil is completely dry, and when S = 100%, the soil is fully
saturated.
Water Content, w
The water content, w, of a soil mass is defined as the ratio
of the mass of water, Mw, in the voids to the mass of
solids, Ms , as

The water content, which is usually expressed as a percentage,

can range from zero (dry soil) to several hundred percent. The
where, V = total volume of the soil sample.
natural water content for most soils is well under 100%, but for
The porosity n is always expressed as a percentage.
the soils of volcanic origin (for example bentonite) it can range
up to 500% or more.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Density Specific Gravity
Another very useful concept in geotechnical engineering is The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio
density (or, unit weight) which is expressed as mass per unit of its mass in air to the mass of an equal volume of
volume. There are several commonly used densities. These water at reference temperature, 4 °C.
may be defined as the total (or bulk), or moist density, 𝜌𝑡 ;
the dry density, 𝜌𝑑 ; the saturated density, 𝜌𝑠𝑎𝑡 ; the density of The specific gravity of a mass of soil (including air, water
the particles, solid density, 𝜌𝑠 ; and density of water 𝜌𝑤 . Each and solids) is termed as bulk specific gravity Gm. It is
of these densities is defined as follows with respect to the 3- expressed as 𝛾𝑡
phase diagram. =
𝛾𝑤

The specific gravity of solids, Gs , (excluding air and

water) is expressed by
𝜌𝑤 = 1 g/cc
= 1000 kg/m3
The specific gravity of water, Gw , is expressed by
𝛾𝑤 = 62.4 pcf
= 9.81 kN/m3 𝛾𝑤
𝐺𝑤 = = 1.0
𝛾𝑤
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Unit Weight 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑒𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒) 𝑉
Mass = amount of a substance present in the body. 𝑉𝑠 =
1+𝑒
Weight = gravitational pull
𝑊𝑠 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
𝑊 𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 = = = =
Unit weight, 𝛾 = 𝑊 = 𝑉𝛾 𝑉 𝑉 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒) 1 + 𝑒
𝑉
For soil mechanics problems, from the 3-phase diagram For a fully saturated soil, the unit weight becomes.
𝑊 𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑤 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 + 𝑉𝑤 𝛾𝑤
𝑊𝑠 = 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 𝑊𝑤 = 𝑉𝑤 𝐺𝑤 𝛾𝑤 = 𝑉𝑤 𝛾𝑤 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = = =
𝑉 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒) 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒)
Basic terms relating to soil composition and condition:
𝑊 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
Wet Unit weight, 𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡 = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 =
𝑉 1+𝑒
Wet Unit weight includes the weight of water as well For a partially saturated soil, the wet unit weight
as soil particles in a soil bulk. becomes, 𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡 or 𝛾𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 .
𝑊𝑠 𝑊 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 + 𝑉𝑤 𝛾𝑤 (𝐺𝑠 +𝑆𝑒)𝛾𝑤
Dry Unit weight, 𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 = 𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝛾 = = =
𝑉 𝑉 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒) 1+𝑒
Dry Unit weight is based on only the weight of solids Full saturation or 100% saturation, indicates that all
in the accumulation. voids are filled with water. A soil can remain 100 percent
From 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣 and saturated even though its water content is changed if
the soil experiences compression or expansion.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Problem 1
Find the relationship between void ratio and porosity Sometimes geotechnical engineers divide the porosity into two
can be derived from parts: the water porosity, 𝑛𝑤 ; and the air porosity, 𝑛𝑎 :
Solution
From 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣

𝑉𝑣 𝑉𝑣
𝑛= = Problem 2
𝑉 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑣
1 𝑉𝑣 + 𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑣 1 1+𝑒 Determine the wet density, dry unit weight, void ratio, water
= = + = +1= content and degree of saturation for a sample of moist soil which
𝑛 𝑉𝑣 𝑉𝑣 𝑉𝑣 𝑒 𝑒 has a mass of 18.18 kg and occupies a total volume of 0.009 m3.
𝑛 + 𝑛𝑒 = 𝑒 When dried in an oven, the dry mass is 16.13 kg. The specific
gravity of the soil solids is 2.70 (acceleration of gravity, g = 9.81
𝑛 = 𝑒 − 𝑛𝑒 = 𝑒(1 − 𝑛) m/s2.
𝑒 Solution
𝑛= 𝑥100%
1+𝑒 𝑀 18.18 𝑘𝑔
Wet density, 𝜌𝑤𝑒𝑡 = = 0.009 𝑚3 = 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎 kg/m3
𝑉
or
𝑛 𝑊𝑠 𝑀𝑠 𝑔 (16.13 𝑘𝑔)(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑒= Dry unit weight, 𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 = = =
1−𝑛 𝑉 𝑉 0.009 𝑚3
= 𝟏𝟕. 𝟓𝟖 𝒌𝑵/m3
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Solution (Cont’d) Problem 3
𝑀𝑤
Water content, w= 𝑥100%
𝑀𝑠
(18.18−16.13) 𝑘𝑔
= 𝑥100 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟕%
16.13

𝑉𝑣 0.0031 𝑚3
Void ratio, 𝑒 = = = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟑
𝑉𝑠 0.009 𝑚3
where
𝑀𝑠 = 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝜌𝑤
𝑀𝑠 16.13 𝑘𝑔
𝑉𝑠 = = 3 = 0.0059𝑚3
𝐺𝑠 𝜌𝑤 𝑔 𝑐𝑚 𝑘𝑔
(2.70)(1 𝑐𝑐 𝑥106 3 𝑥0.001 𝑔 )
𝑚
V = 𝑉𝑠 + 𝑉𝑉
𝑉𝑣 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑠 = 0.009 − 0.0059 = 0.0031𝑚3
𝑉𝑤 0.00202𝑚3
Degree of Saturation, S = = 𝑥100% = 𝟔𝟓%
𝑉𝑣 0.0031 𝑚3
where Solution
𝑀𝑤 18.18 − 16.13 𝑘𝑔
𝑉𝑤 = = = 0.00202 From the 3-phase diagram
𝜌𝑤 𝑘𝑔
1000 3
𝑚
Components and Physical Properties of Soil
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Problem 4 Problem 5
A sample of saturated clay from a consolidometer test A soil sample has a total unit weight of 16.97 kN/m3 and a void
has a total weight of 3.36 Ib and a dry weight of 2.32 Ib: ratio of 0.84. The specific gravity of solids is 2.70. Determine
the specific gravity of the solid particles is 2.7. For this the moisture content, dry unit weight and degree of saturation
sample, determine the water content, void ratio, of the sample.
porosity and total unit weight.
Solution
Solution Degree of saturation

Dry unit weight

Water content
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Problem 6
Earth is required to be excavated from borrow pits for building an embankment. The wet unit weight of undisturbed soil is
1 8 kN/m3 and its water content is 8%. In order to build a 4 m high embankment with top width 2 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 kN/m3 with a moisture content of 10%. 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.
Solution
The dry unit weight of soil in the borrow pit is

The dry unit weight of soil in the embankment

is 15 kN/m3
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Solution (cont’d) Specific Gravity
The standard method of measuring the
specific ¡ gravity of solids (ASTM D854) uses
a calibrated · glass flask known as a
pycnometer, as shown in Figure. The
pycnometer is first filled with water and set
on a balance to find its mass. Then, it is
refilled with a known mass of dry soil plus
water so the total volume is the same as
before. Again, its mass is determined. From
this data, we can compute 𝐺𝑠 .
Problem 7
Using this technique on a certain soil sample, we have
obtained the following data:
Mass of soil = 81.8 g
Moisture content of soil = 11 .2%
Mass of pycnometer+water = 327.12 g
Mass of pycnometer+soil+water = 373.18 g
Volume of pycnometer = 250.00 ml
Compute 𝐺𝑠 , for this soil.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Solution

Modified phase diagram

Procedure
To determine the specific gravity of soils is described in ASTM D 854. Two types of container are used to determine the
specific gravity. One is a pycnometer, which is used for coarse grained soils. The other is a 50-mL density bottle, which is
used for fine-grained soils. The container is weighed and a small quantity of dry soil is placed in it. The mass of the
container and the dry soil is determined. De-aired water is added to the soil in the container. The container is then
agitated to remove air bubbles. When all air bubbles have been removed, the container is filled with de-aired water.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
The mass of container, soil, and water is determined. The Problem 8
contents of the container are discarded and the container D 854 test was conducted on a sand. The data are as
is thoroughly cleaned. De-aired water is added to fill the shown below. Calculate the specific gravity.
container, and the mass of the container and water is
determined. Mass of pycnometer = 38.2 grams
Mass of pycnometer and dry soil = 64.3 grams
Let M1 = the mass of the container;
Mass of pycnometer, dry soil, and water = 154.8 grams
M2 = the mass of the container and dry soil;
Mass of pycnometer and water = 138.5 grams
M3 = the mass of the container, soil, and water; and
M4 = the mass of the container and water. Solution
The mass of dry soil is Ms = M2 − M1,
M1 = mass of pycnometer = 38.2 grams
The mass of water displaced by the soil particles is M2 = mass of pycnometer and dry soil = 64.3 grams
M3 = mass of pycnometer, dry soil, and water = 154.8 grams
M5 = M4 − M3 + Ms, and
M4 = mass of pycnometer and water = 138.5 grams
𝑀𝑠 Ms = mass of dry soil = M2 − M1 = 26.1 grams
𝐺𝑠 = M5 = mass of water displaced by soil particles
𝑀4 − 𝑀3 + 𝑀𝑠
= M4 − M3 + Ms = 9.8 grams
or
𝑀𝑠
𝐺𝑠 = Specific gravity, Gs = Ms /M5 = 2.66
𝑀5
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Submerged Soil
In soil mechanics problems, it is necessary to determine ▪ The weight of the soil solids is reduced by the weight of
the net intergranular weight or effective weight of a soil the volume of water they displaces.
when it is below the groundwater table.
▪ Therefore, a submerged soil weight (𝑊𝑠𝑢𝑏 ) equals the
Intergranular – refers to the weight or force that acts at the soil weight above water minus the weight of water
point or on the surfaces where soil particles are in contact. displaced, or:
Effective soil weight – used to determine effective stress in 𝑊𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 − 𝑉𝑠 𝐺𝑤 𝛾𝑤 = 𝑉𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (𝐺𝑠 − 𝐺𝑤 )
a soil deposit a value that influences factors such as soil
shear strength, soil compressibility and settlement and 𝑊𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 𝑉𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (𝐺𝑠 − 1)
slope stability.
▪ Since unit weight is total weight divided by total volume
▪ “Underwater” condition, the soil solids are buoyed up
by the pressure of the surrounding body of water and 𝑊𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑉𝑠 𝛾𝑤 (𝐺𝑠 − 1)
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾′ = =
the submerged soil weight becomes less than for the 𝑉 𝑉𝑠 (1 + 𝑒)
same soil above water.
(𝐺𝑠 − 1)
▪ The effective soil weight then becomes the unit weight 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾 ′ = 𝛾𝑤
(1 + 𝑒)
of the soil when it is weighed underwater.
▪ In terms of density
▪ The water in the voids has zero weight (when
submerged, all voids can be assumed to be filled with (𝐺𝑠 − 1)
𝜌𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝜌𝑏 = 𝜌
water). (1 + 𝑒) 𝑤
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
▪ For approximate computations Problem 9
1 The moisture content of an undisturbed sample of clay belonging
𝜌𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝜌𝑏 = 𝜌𝑤𝑒𝑡
2 to a volcanic region is 265% under 100% saturation. The specific
or gravity of the solids is 2.5. The dry unit weight is 21 Ib/ft3 .
1 Determine (i) the saturated unit weight, (ii) the submerged unit
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾𝑏 = 𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡 weight, and (iii) void ratio.
2 Solution
▪ Ease of computation, the submerged weight is on
the order of half the wet soil weight above water
table.
▪ Exception to the rule: soils containing significant
decomposed vegetation or organic material
▪ For the situation where the sol above the water
table is 100 percent saturated, the submerged unit
weight becomes
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾𝑏 𝑜𝑟 𝛾 ′ = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Solution (Cont’d) Problem 10
Undisturbed soil obtained from a test pit 0.0283 m3 in volume is
found to have a wet weight of 0.459 kN. The dry weight of the
sample is 0.376 kN. What would be the effective unit weight of
such a soil if it were submerged below the groundwater table? The
specific gravity of the soil is determined to be 2.70.
Solution
For approximate computation
1 1 0.459 𝑘𝑁 3
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 𝛾𝑤𝑒𝑡 = = 8.11 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
2 2 0.0283 𝑚3
For accurate determination
𝑊𝑠 0.376 𝑘𝑁
𝑉𝑠 = = 3
= 0.0142 𝑚3
𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 2.70(9.81 𝑘𝑁/𝑚

𝑉𝑣 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑠 = 0.0283 − 0.0142 = 0.0141 𝑚3

𝑉𝑣 0.0141
𝑒= = ≅ 1.0
𝑉𝑠 0.0142
𝐺𝑠 − 1 2.70 − 1 𝑘𝑁
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 𝛾 = 9.81 3 = 8.34 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
1+𝑒 𝑤 1+1 𝑚
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Problem 11
Assume that a sample of soil similar to the soil from
the preceding problem is excavated from a 1 ft3 test
hole at a location below the water table. The soil is
now 100 percent saturated. What saturated weight
would be expected?
Solution
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 + 𝛾𝑤 = 8.34 + 9.81 = 18.15 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3
Solution
Weight of sample + container = 6 N
Weight of dry sample + container = 5 N
Weight of water: Ww = 6 − 5 = 1 N
Weight of dry soil: Ws = 5 − 1 = 4 N
water content:
void ratio

Problem 12
bulk unit weight
A sample of saturated clay was placed in a container and
weighed. The weight was 6 N. The clay in its container
was placed in an oven for 24 hours at 105C. The weight
reduced to a constant value of 5 N. The weight of the In this case the soil is saturated, so the bulk unit weight is
container is 1 N. If Gs = 2.7, determine the (a) water equal to the saturated unit weight.
content, (b) void ratio, (c) bulk unit weight, (d) dry unit
weight, and (e) effective unit weight.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Solution (Cont’d) Relative Density
dry unit weight. Relative density (Dr) is an index that quantifies the degree of
packing between the loosest and densest possible state of
coarse-grained soils as determined by experiments:

or x 100%

in which
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 = void ratio of soil in its loosest state having a dry
density of 𝜌𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛
effective unit weight. 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 = void ratio of the soil in its densest state having a dry
density of 𝜌𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑒0 = void ratio under in-situ condition having a dry
density of 𝜌𝑑
or
A general equation for 𝑒 may be written as

Now substituting the corresponding dry densities for 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 ,

𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 and 𝑒 in the equation and simplifying, we have;
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
The relative density can also be written as
▪ The relative density correlates very well with the strength of
coarse-grained soils—denser soils being stronger than looser
x 100%
soils. A description of sand based on relative density and
porosity is given in Table.
ASTM D 4253 and ASTM D 4254 outline procedures for
▪ High values indicate a dense or compact material; low values
the determination of maximum and minimum void
indicates a loose material.
ratios for coarse-grained soils.
▪ The maximum void ratio is obtained by pouring dry
Description of Coarse-Grained Soils Based on Relative
sand, for example, into a mold of volume (V) 2830
Density and Porosity
cm3 using a funnel. The sand that fills the mold is
weighed. If the weight of the sand is W, then we get
𝑉
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 − 1. The minimum void ratio is
𝑊
determined by vibrating the sand with a weight
imposing a vertical stress of 13.8 kPa on top of the
sand. Vibration occurs for 8 minutes at a frequency of
3600 Hz and amplitude of 0.064 mm. From the
weight of the sand (W1) and the volume (V1)
occupied by it after vibration, we can calculate the
𝑉1
minimum void ratio using 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤 − 1.
𝑊1
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Porosity, void ratio, water content, and unit weights of typical RELATIVE DENSITY OF COHESIONLESS SOILS
soils in natural state

Packing of grains of uniform size

The density of granular soils varies with the shape

and size of grains, the gradation and the manner in
which the mass is compacted.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
▪ If all the grains are assumed to be spheres of uniform size Problem 13
and packed as shown in Fig. (a), the void ratio of such a
mass amounts to about 0.90. However, if the grains are
packed as shown in Fig. (b), the void ratio of the mass is
about 0.35.
▪ The soil corresponding to the higher void ratio is called
loose and that corresponding to the lower void ratio is
called dense.
▪ If the soil grains are not uniform, then smaller grains fill in
the space between the bigger ones and the void ratios of
such soils are reduced to as low as 0.25 in the densest state. Solution
▪ If the grains are angular, they tend to form looser structures
than rounded grains because their sharp edges and points
hold the grains further apart. If the mass with angular grains
is compacted by vibration, it forms a dense structure.
▪ Static load alone will not alter the density of grains
significantly but if it is accompanied by vibration, there will
be considerable change in the density. The water present in
voids may act as a lubricant to a certain extent for an
increase in the density under vibration.
 Components and Physical Properties of Soil
Problem 14
A granular soil located in a borrow pit is found to have an in- 𝐷𝑟 = 76.4%
place dry density of 1895 kg/m3. In the laboratory, values of
b. Void ratio at natural condition.
dry maximum density and minimum density are determined
as 2100 kg/m3 and 1440 kg/m3, respectively. emax − eo
Dr = x100%
a. Compute the relative density of the soil in the borrow pit.
emax − emin

b. Compute the void ratio of the soil in the natural condition 0.92 − 𝑒
if the maximum and minimum densities indicate void 0.764 =
0.92 − 0.28
ratios of 0.28 at the maximum density and 0. 92 at the
minimum density. 𝑒 = 0.431
c. Compute the specific gravity of tis soil. c. Specific gravity, 𝐺𝑠

Solution 1 1 𝐺𝑠 𝛾𝑤
−𝛾 𝛾𝑑𝑟𝑦 =
𝛾𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑑
a. Relative density 𝐷𝑟 = 𝑥100% 1+𝑒
1 1
𝛾𝑑 𝑚𝑖𝑛 − 𝛾𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝐺𝑠 (1000)
1895 =
1 + 0.431
1 1
−
𝐷𝑟 = 1440 1895 𝑥100% 𝐺𝑠 = 2.71
1 1
−
1440 2100