2.5. Saturated Unit Weight

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define void ratio.

   Hint

   Think about how voids are measured in relation to solids.

2. 2.

   What is porosity?

   Hint

   It's a percentage measurement of void space.

3. 3.

   What does the void ratio (e) represent?

   • Volume of voids to volume of solids
   • Volume of solids to total volume
   • Porous space only

   Hint

   Think about how voids relate to solids.

4. 4.

   True or False: The degree of saturation (S) can exceed 100%.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what saturation means.

5. 5.

   A soil sample has a dry unit weight of 18 kN/m³ and a specific gravity of 2.65. Calculate the void ratio and porosity of the soil.

   Hint

   Remember the formulas relating these parameters.

6. 6.

   If the bulk unit weight of a saturated soil is 22 kN/m³ and the dry unit weight is 20 kN/m³, what is the water content?

   Hint

   Think about the relationship between bulk and dry unit weights.