Weight-Volume Relationship

Question 1

What does a moisture content > 100% indicate?

Answer 1

There is more water than soil in the sample

Question 2

What is the formula for Saturation (S)?

Answer 2

S = Vw/Vv

Question 3

What is the formula for Moisture Content (w)?

Answer 3

w = Mw/Ms

Question 4

What is the formula for Porosity (n)?

Answer 4

n = Vv/Vt

Question 5

What is the formula for Unit Weight (γ)?

Answer 5

γ = W/V = (M*g)/V

Question 6

What is the formula for Density (ρ)?

Answer 6

ρ = M/V

Question 7

What is the difference between Saturation and Moisture Content (aka Water Content)?

Answer 7

Saturation can have a maximum value of 100% and is how much water is in the voids.

Moisture (water) Content can be > 100% and is the ratio of water to solids.

Question 8

What is the formula for Specific Gravity (Gs)?

Answer 8

Gs = γs/γw = ρs/ρw

Question 9

What value of soil is typically around 2.65 - 2.72?

Answer 9

Specific Gravity - the ratio of the soil’s density to the density of water

Question 10

What is the formula for Void Ratio (e)?

Answer 10

e = Vv/Vs

Question 11

What is the formula for Bulk Density (ρb)

Answer 11

ρb = Mt/Vt = (Ms+Mw)/(Vs+Vv)

Question 12

What is the formula for Saturated Density (ρsat)?

Answer 12

ρsat = (Ms+Mw)/(Vs+Vw) …Assumes 100% saturation.

Question 13

What is the formula for Dry Density (ρdry)?

Answer 13

ρdry = Ms/(Vs+Va) …Assumes 0% saturation.

Question 14

What parameter commonly correlates with strength?

Answer 14

Density