WEIGHT - VOLUME

RELATIONSHIPS
(Properties of Soil)
INTRODUCTION
A given volume of soil in natural occurrence consists of solid
particles and the void spaces between the particles. The void
space may be filled with air and/or water; hence, soil is a three-
phase system

If there is no water in the void space, it is a dry soil. If the entire

void space is filled with water, it is referred to as a saturated soil.
However, if the void is partially filled with water, it is a moist soil.
Weight-Volume Relationships
Weight-Volume Relationships
𝑽 =𝑽 𝑺+ 𝑽 𝑽 =𝑽 𝑺 +𝑽 𝑾 +𝑽 𝑨

𝑊h𝑒𝑟𝑒
Assuming that the weight of the air is negligible

𝑾 =𝑾 𝒔 +𝑾 𝑾

𝑊h𝑒𝑟𝑒
Volume Relationships

The volume relationships commonly used for the three

phases in a soil element are void ratio, porosity, and
degree of saturation.
VOID RATIO (e) POROSITY (n)
Void ratio is defined as the ratio of Porosity is defined as the ratio of the
the volume of voids to the volume volume of voids to the total volume.
of solids.
𝑽𝒗 𝑽𝒗
𝒆= 𝒏=
𝑽𝑺 𝑽

relationship between void ratio and porosity

𝒆=
𝑽𝒗
=
𝑽𝒗
=
( 𝑽𝑽
𝑽 ) =
𝒏

( )
𝑽𝑺 𝑽 − 𝑽𝑽 𝑽𝑽 𝟏 −𝒏
𝟏−
𝑽

𝒏 𝒆
𝒆= 𝒏=
𝟏 −𝒏 𝟏+𝒆
VOID RATIO (e) POROSITY (n)
Void ratio is defined as the ratio of Porosity is defined as the ratio of the
the volume of voids to the volume volume of voids to the total volume.
of solids.
𝑽𝒗 𝑽𝒗 𝒆
𝒆= 𝒏= 𝒏=
𝑽𝑺 𝑽 𝟏+𝒆

𝒏
𝒆=
𝟏 −𝒏
DEGREE OF SATURATION (S)
Degree of saturation is defined as
the ratio of the volume of water to
the volume of voids
𝑽𝑾
𝑺=
𝑽𝑽
Weight Relationships

The common terms used for weight relationships are

moisture content and unit weight.
MOISTURE CONTENT (w) UNIT WEIGHT (γ)
Moisture content is also referred to Unit weight is the weight of soil per
as water content and is defined as unit volume.
the ratio of the weight of water to
the weight of solids in a given 𝑾
𝜸=
volume of soil 𝑽

𝑾𝒘
𝒘=
𝑾𝒔
MOISTURE CONTENT (w) UNIT WEIGHT (γ)
Moisture content is also referred to Unit weight is the weight of soil per
as water content and is defined as unit volume.
the ratio of the weight of water to
the weight of solids in a given 𝑾 𝑾 𝒔 (𝟏+ 𝒘)
𝜸= 𝜸=
volume of soil 𝑽 𝑽
Soils engineers sometimes refer it as
𝑾𝒘 moist unit weight
𝒘=
𝑾𝒔
MOISTURE CONTENT (w) UNIT WEIGHT (γ)
Moisture content is also referred to Unit weight is the weight of soil per
as water content and is defined as unit volume.
the ratio of the weight of water to
𝑾 𝑾 𝒔 (𝟏+ 𝒘)
the weight of solids in a given 𝜸= 𝜸=
𝑽 𝑽
volume of soil
Soils engineers sometimes refer it as
𝑾𝒘 moist unit weight
𝒘=
𝑾𝒔
DRY UNIT WEIGHT ()
Weight per unit volume of soil,
excluding water.
𝑾𝒔
𝜸𝒅=
𝑽
 UNIT WEIGHT (γ) DRY UNIT WEIGHT ()
𝑾 𝑾𝒔
𝜸= 𝜸𝒅=
𝑽 𝑽

In SI (Système International), the unit used is kilo Newtons per cubic meter (). Because the
Newton is a derived unit, working with mass densities (ρ) of soil may sometimes be
convenient. The SI unit of mass density is kilograms per cubic meter ()

𝑴 𝑴𝒔
ρ= ρ 𝒅=
𝑽 𝑽

𝑊h𝑒𝑟𝑒
Relationships among Unit Weight, Void Ratio, Moisture Content,
and Specific Gravity
To obtain a relationship among unit weight
(or density), void ratio, and moisture
content, let us consider a volume of soil in
which the volume of the soil solids is one,
as shown in the figure.
Relationships among Unit Weight, Void Ratio, Moisture Content,
and Specific Gravity
To obtain a relationship among unit weight
(or density), void ratio, and moisture
content, let us consider a volume of soil in
which the volume of the soil solids is one,
as shown in the figure.
If the volume of the soil solids is 1, then the
volume of voids is numerically equal to the
void ratio. The weights of soil solids and
water can be given as.

𝑾 𝒔 =𝑮𝒔 𝜸 𝒘 𝑾 𝒘 =𝒘 𝑮 𝒔 𝜸 𝒘
Specific gravity of soil solids
𝑾𝒔
𝑮𝒔 =
𝑽 𝒔𝜸𝒘

Using the definitions of unit weight and dry

unit weight:

𝑾 (𝟏+𝒘 ) 𝑮 𝒔 𝜸 𝒘
𝜸= =
𝑽 𝟏+ 𝒆

𝑾 𝒔 𝑮𝒔 𝜸 𝒘
𝜸𝒅= =
𝑽 𝟏+𝒆
Because the weight of water for the soil element under
consideration is , the volume occupied by water is

𝑾 𝒘 𝒘 𝑮𝒔 𝜸 𝒘
V𝒘 = = =𝒘 𝑮 𝒔
𝜸𝒘 𝜸𝒘

𝑽𝑾 𝒘 𝑮𝒔
𝑺= =
𝑽𝑽 𝒆

𝑺𝒆=𝒘 𝑮𝒔
If the soil sample is saturated—that is, the void spaces are
completely filled with water
 If the soil sample is saturated—that is, the void spaces are
completely filled with water

𝑾 (𝑮¿¿ 𝒔 +𝒆)𝜸 𝒘
𝜸 𝒔𝒂𝒕 = = ¿
𝑽 𝟏+𝒆

(𝑮¿¿ 𝒔 +𝒆)𝜸 𝒘
𝜸 𝒔𝒂𝒕 = ¿
𝟏+𝒆
Working with density, similar to unit–weight relationships.

(𝟏+ 𝒘 ) 𝑮 𝒔 𝝆 𝒘
DENSITY 𝝆=
𝟏+𝒆

𝑮𝒔 𝝆𝒘
DRY DENSITY 𝝆 𝒅=
𝟏+ 𝒆

(𝑮¿ ¿ 𝒔+𝒆)𝝆 𝒘
SATURATED DENSITY 𝝆 𝒔𝒂𝒕 = ¿
𝟏+𝒆
Relationships among Unit Weight, Porosity, and Moisture
Content
Consider a soil that has a total volume
equal to one.

If V is equal to 1, then is equal to n, so

𝑾 𝒔 =𝑮𝒔 𝜸 𝒘 ( 𝟏− 𝒏)

𝑾 𝒘 =𝒘 𝑮 𝒔 𝜸 𝒘 ( 𝟏− 𝒏)
Using the definitions of unit weight and dry
unit weight:

𝑾
𝜸= =𝑮 𝒔 𝜸 𝒘 (𝟏 −𝒏)( 𝟏+𝒘 )
𝑽

𝑾𝒔
𝜸𝒅= =𝑮 𝒔 𝜸 𝒘 (𝟏 −𝒏)
𝑽
For a saturated soil sample
For a saturated soil sample

𝜸 𝒔𝒂𝒕 =[ ( 𝟏 −𝒏 ) 𝑮 𝒔 +𝒏 ]𝜸 𝒘
VARIOUS UNIT WEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
 4 TYPES OF SOIL UNIT WEIGHTS
Bulk / Moist / In-Situ Unit Weight
- Actual or Untouched Unit Weight of soil taken from the site.

Dried / Dry Unit Weight

- Oven-dried Unit Weight of soil taken from the site.
Hint: S = 0

Saturated Unit Weight

- Unit Weight of soil taken from the site where soaked it is soaked in water.
Hint: S = 1

Submerged / Bouyant Unit Weight

- Unit Weight of soil when submerged in water.
Example Problem #1
A sample of saturated soil weighs 588N and has a volume
of 0.03 cu.m. If the void ratio of the soil is 0.75, Determine
the specific gravity of the solids.

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
𝑹𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 :
Example Problem #2 (CE November 1998)
A specimen of moist clay has a mass of 183.4 grams. After
oven drying, the mass is reduced to 157.7 grams. What is
the moisture content of the sample?

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
𝑹𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 :
Example Problem #3 (CE May 2015)
In its natural state, a soil mass has a unit weight of . When
fully saturated with water, the soil weighs . If its moisture
content is 8%, what is the porosity of the soil?

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
𝑹𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 :
Example Problem #4 (CE May 2018)
The bulk unit weight of the soil is , the specific gravity of
solids is 2.5 and the moisture content is 35%. Evaluate the
following:

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
a) Void Ratio
b) Dry Unit Weight
c) Saturated Unit Weight
RELATIVE DENSITY
The term relative density is commonly used to indicate the in- situ denseness or
looseness of granular soil.

𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒
𝐷𝑟 =
𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑊h𝑒𝑟𝑒
The values of Dr may vary from a minimum of 0% for very loose soil to a maximum of
100% for very dense soils. In-place soils seldom have relative densities less than 20 to
30%. Compacting a granular soil to a relative density greater than about 85% is difficult.
RELATIVE DENSITY
𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒
𝐷𝑟 =
𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛

In terms of porosity:
𝑛𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑛
𝑒 𝑚 𝑖𝑛 = 𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑒=
1 − 𝑛𝑚𝑖𝑛 1− 𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 1 −𝑛

(1 −𝑛𝑚𝑖𝑛 ) (𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 −𝑛)

𝐷𝑟 =
(𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑛𝑚 𝑖𝑛 )(1 −𝑛)
RELATIVE DENSITY
In relation to dry unit weight

𝐷𝑟 =
[ 1
𝜸 𝒅 (𝒎𝒊𝒏)][ ]
−
1
𝜸𝒅

[ 1
𝜸 𝒅(𝒎𝒊𝒏) ][ ]
−
1
𝜸 𝒅(𝒎𝒂𝒙 )
RELATIVE DENSITY
Example Problem #5 (CE May 2000)
A sample of a moist sand taken from the field was found to
have a moisture content of 14% and a porosity of 38%. In a
laboratory test that simulates field conditions, it was found
that at its densest state, its void ratio is 40% and at loosest
state, its void ratio is 85%. Determine the relative density
of the sand

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
Example Problem #6
In a construction project, the field moist unit weight was at
a moisture content of 8%. If maximum and minimum dry
unit weight determined in the laboratory were and ,
respectively, what was the field relative density?

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏:
𝑹𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 :