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A graphical presentation of soil properties

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The following are important relationships between
these quantities:
•Total volume of soil V= Vv + Vs = Va + Vw + Vs
•Volume of air, Va,
•Volume of water, Vw
•Volume of solid, Vs and
•Volume of void, Vv= Va + Vw
Weight
Total weight of soil, W = Ww + Ws
Weight of solid, Ws
Weight of water, Ww

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 Specific Gravity, Gs
For Sand, Gs= 2.6 – 2.7

Clay, Gs = 2.65 – 2.80

Organic soils, Gs= 2.5

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The degree of saturation can range between
the limits of zero for a completely dry soil
and 1 (or 100%) for a fully saturated soil.

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 Relative Density, Dr
emax: max. void ratio for the loosest possible
state

emin: min. void ratio for the densest possible

state

efield: void ratio of the soil for which relative

density is defined.

Relative Density, Dr is a parameter for granular

soils.
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Relative Density Packing
(%)
0-15 Very loose
15-35 Loose
35-65 Medium
65-85 Dense
85-100 Very dense

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Name Equation Description
Ratio of the void volume to
Void Ratio
the solid volume.

Percent of the total volume

Porosity
that is taken up by the void.

Percent of the void that is

Degree of Saturation
taken up by the water.

Percent of the weight of

Water Content
water to the weight of solids.

Total density of the soil.

Unit Weight
Includes solids and the void.

Density of the soil when it is

Dry Unit Weight
completely dried out.

Density of the soil and the

Unit Mass, Dry Unit Mass
Specific Gravity of Solids
ρw
dry density of the soil.
Ratio of the density of solids
to the density of water.
Note:

Other Important
Relationships: 28
W=Ws+Ww
V=Vs+Vv=Vs+Vw+Va