4.2.1. Example 1

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does water content refer to in soil?

   Hint

   Think of the weight of water in relation to the soil's dry weight.

2. 2.

   How do you define dry unit weight?

   Hint

   Focus on what happens when water is not considered.

3. 3.

   What is dry unit weight?

   • Weight of soil including water
   • Weight of soil excluding water
   • Weight of voids

   Hint

   Focus on understanding what 'dry' means in this context.

4. 4.

   True or False: Moist unit weight includes the weight of water in the calculation.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Remember how moisture is accounted for in unit weight.

5. 5.

   A soil sample has a bulk density of 1.8 g/cm³ and a moisture content of 20%. Calculate its dry unit weight and moist unit weight.

   Hint

   Make sure to use consistent units when calculating.

6. 6.

   If a saturated soil has a moisture content of 25% and its dry unit weight is 14 kN/m³, calculate its saturated unit weight.

   Hint

   Focus on how saturation is expressed in terms of moisture content.