A fully saturated soil sample has a water content of 25% and unit weig...
Calculation of Dry Density, Specific Gravity, and Porosity of a Fully Saturated Soil Sample
Determination of Dry Density
Dry density is the ratio of the mass of solids to the volume of soil in a dry state. The formula for dry density calculation is:
Dry Density = (1 - Water Content) x Unit Weight
Substituting the given values:
Dry Density = (1 - 0.25) x 20KN/M3
Dry Density = 15KN/M3
Determination of Specific Gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of solids to the mass of water displaced by the soil sample. The formula for specific gravity calculation is:
Specific Gravity = (Dry Mass / Volume of Soil) / (Mass of Water Displaced / Volume of Water Displaced)
Assuming the volume of soil and water displaced to be equal:
Specific Gravity = (Dry Mass / Volume of Soil) / (Wet Mass - Dry Mass) / Volume of Soil)
Specific Gravity = Dry Mass / (Wet Mass - Dry Mass)
As the soil sample is fully saturated, the wet mass is equal to the mass of water displaced. Therefore:
Specific Gravity = Dry Mass / (Mass of Water Displaced)
Assuming the density of water to be 1KN/M3:
Mass of Water Displaced = Volume of Soil x Water Content x Density of Water
Mass of Water Displaced = Volume of Soil x 0.25 x 1KN/M3
Substituting the given values:
Specific Gravity = Dry Mass / (Volume of Soil x 0.25 x 1KN/M3)
Specific Gravity = Dry Mass / (Volume of Soil / 4)
Specific Gravity = 4 x Dry Mass / Volume of Soil
As the given values do not include the dry mass or volume of soil, specific gravity cannot be calculated.
Determination of Porosity
Porosity is the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of soil. The formula for porosity calculation is:
Porosity = Volume of Voids / Total Volume of Soil
Assuming the given soil sample to be a unit cube of 1m3:
Volume of Voids = Total Volume of Soil x Water Content
Volume of Voids = 1m3 x 0.25
Volume of Voids = 0.25m3
Substituting the given values:
Porosity = 0.25m3 / 1m3
Porosity = 0.25
Conclusion
From the given values, the dry density and porosity of the fully saturated soil sample are 15KN/M3 and 0.25