Module 2

Soil Phase Relationships

Phase System of a Soil Element

Soil mass is generally a three-phase system.
1. Solids—the mineral soil particles.
2. Liquids—usually water that is contained in the void spaces between the solid mineral particles.
3. Gas—such as air that is also contained in the void spaces between the solid mineral particles.

Fig. 2.1 (a) Soil element in natural state; (b) three phases of the soil element

Mass-Volume Relationship

wet mass Mwet

Wet density = wet =
total volume V

dry mass Ms
Dry density =  dry =
total volume V

saturated mass M sat

Saturated density =  sat =
total volume V

subnerged mass M sub

Submerged density =  sub =
total volume V

Weight-Volume Relationship

wet weight Wwet

Wet unit weight =  wet =
total volume V

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 dry weight Ws
Dry unit weight =  dry =
total volume V

saturated weight Wsat

Saturated unit weight =  sat =
total volume V

Submerged weight Wsub

Submerged unit weight =  sub =
total volume V

Volumetric Ratios
There are three volumetric ratios that are very useful in geotechnical engineering and these can be determined directly
from the phase diagram, Fig. 3.1b.

1. The void ratio, e, is defined as

Vv
e=
Vs

where, Vv = volume of voids, and Vs = volume of the solids.

The void ratio e is always expressed as a decimal.

2. The porosity n is defined as

Vv
n= x 100
V

where, V = total volume of the soil sample.

The porosity n is always expressed as a percentage.

3. The degree of saturation, S, is defined as

Vw
S= x 100
Vv

where, Vw = volume of water

It is always expressed as a percentage. When S = 0%, the soil is completely dry, and when S = 100%, the soil is fully
saturated.

Water Content, w
The water content, w, of a soil mass is defined as the ratio of the mass of water, Mw, in the voids to the mass of solids, Ms,
as
M
w= w x 100
Ms

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The water content, which is usually expressed as a percentage, can range from zero (dry soil) to several hundred percent.
The natural water content for most soils is well under 100%, but for the soils of volcanic origin (for example bentonite) it
can range up to 500% or more.

Specific Gravity

The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio of its mass in air to the mass of an equal volume of water at
reference temperature, 4 °C. The specific gravity of a mass of soil (including air, water and solids) is termed as bulk
specific gravity Gm. It is expressed as

γ ρ W M
Gm = = = =
γw ρw Vγ w Vρ w

The specific gravity of solids, Gs, (excluding air and water) is expressed by

γs ρs Ws Ms
Gs = = = =
γw ρw Vγ w Vs ρ w

Interrelationships of Different Parameters

In order to develop the relationships among different parameters, the block diagram Fig. 3.2 is made use of. Since the
sectional area perpendicular to the plane of the paper is assumed as unity, the heights of the blocks will represent the
volumes. The volume of solids may be represented as Vs = 1. When the soil is fully saturated, the voids are completely
filled with water.

Figure 2.2 Three separate phases of a soil element with volume of soil solids equal to one

Relationship between e and n

Vv
from e = , Vv = eVs
Vs

Vv eVs
Substituting Vv = eVs and V = Vv + Vs into n = , then, n =
V eVs + Vs

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 e n
Hence , n = , or e =
1 + e 1 − n

Relationships Between Dimensionless Parameters

Case 1: When the soil is partially saturated (0 < S < 100%)

Vw Vw Ww
From S = and Vv = e , we have S = , but Vw = and Ww =  Ws
Vv e w
Ww  Ws  Vs  s s
Thus , S = = = but Vs = 1 and = Gs
e w e w e w w
 Gs
Therefore , we have S =
e
or Se =  G s

Case 2: When saturated (S = 100%)

e =  Gs

Relationships between Unit Weight  and other Parameters

Case 1: For 0 < S < 100%

Wwet ( Gs + Se )  w
 wet = =
V 1 + e

Case 2: For S = 100%

Wsat ( Gs + e) w
 sat = =
V 1 + e

Case 3: For S = 0%

Ws Gs w
 dry = =
V 1 + e

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Case 4: When the soil is submerged

 sub =  sat −  w
 Gs − 1 
 sub =   w
 1 + e 

Example 2.1
For a moist soil sample, the following are given.
• Total volume: V = 1.2 m3
• Total mass: M = 2350 kg
• Moisture content: w = 8.6%
• Specific gravity of soil solids: Gs = 2.71
Determine the following.
a. Moist density
b. Dry density
c. Void ratio
d. Porosity
e. Degree of saturation
f. Volume of water in the soil sample

Example 2.2
The following data are given for a soil:
• Porosity: n = 0.4
• Specific gravity of the soil solids: Gs = 2.68
• Moisture content: w = 12%
Determine the mass of water to be added to 10 m3 of soil for full saturation.

Example 2.3
A saturated soil has a dry unit weight of 103 lb/ft3. Its moisture content is 23%.
Determine:
a. Saturated unit weight, sat
b. Specific gravity, Gs
c. Void ratio, e
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Example 2.4
A sample of wet silty clay soil has a mass of 126 kg. The following data were obtained from laboratory tests on the
sample:
Wet density, wet = 2.1 g/cm3,
Gs = 2.7,
Moisture content, w = 15%
Determine:
(a) dry density, d
(b) porosity, n
(c) void ratio, e and
(d) degree of saturation, S

Example 2.5
Earth is required to be excavated from borrow pits for building an embankment. The wet unit weight of undisturbed soil
is 18-kN/m3 and its water content is 8%. In order to build a 4 m high embankment with top width 2 m and side slopes 1:1,
estimate the quantity of earth required to be excavated per meter length of embankment. The dry unit weight required
in the embankment is 15-kN/m3 with a moisture content of 10%. Assume the specific gravity of solids as 2.67. Also
determine the void ratios and the degree of saturation of the soil in both the undisturbed and remolded states.

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