LAGUNA COLLEGE

GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
Soil Mechanics 1
Foundation and Retaining Wall Design

Lesson 1: Properties of Soil

Prepared By:
Engr. Glen Patrick Enriquez, RCE,MR
PROPERTIES OF SOIL
In Actual, soil is a combination of solid, water and air

Voids(Spaces among solids)

-water and air
Idealization in
Geotechnical

Air

Water

Solid

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL
Where: Vs (Volume of Solid) Where: Ws (Weight of Solid) OTHER GENERAL
Vw (Volume of Water) Ww (Weight of Water) PROPERTIES
Va (Volume of Air) Wa (Weight of Air)

Unit Weight of Water

Density of Water

Air
Va Air
Wa Density of Water
Water
Water
Vw
Solid Ww
Solid Density of Water
VOLUME Vs
WEIGHT Ws
Total Volume(V)=Vs+Vw+Va Total Weight (W)= Ws+Ww
Volume of Voids (Vv)=Vw+Va Weight of Air is Negligible

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

1. Void Ratio (e) 3. Moisture Content / Water Content (MC)

𝑣 𝑣 𝑉 ( 𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 ) − 𝑉 (𝑑𝑟𝑦 ) 𝑊𝑤
𝑀 𝐶= 𝑥 100 %
ⅇ= = 𝑊𝑠
𝑣𝑠 𝑉 ( 𝑑𝑟𝑦 )

2. Porosity (n) 4. Degree of Saturation (S)

𝑣𝑣 𝑒 𝑉𝑤
n= = 𝑆= 𝑥 100 %
𝑉 1+ 𝑒 𝑉𝑣

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

GENERAL RELATIONSHIP: FORMULA FOR UNIT WEIGHT:

Dry Unit Weight (S=0) Since the soil is dry, S=0.

G (MC) = S (e)

Where: G (Specific Gravity of Solid)

MC (Moisture Content)
S (Degree of Saturation
e( void Ratio)

Saturated Unit Weight (S=1)

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

GENERAL RELATIONSHIP: FORMULA FOR UNIT WEIGHT:

Moist Unit Weight:
G (MC) = S (e) 𝑊
𝛾𝑚 =
General Eqn.
𝑉
Where: G (Specific Gravity of Solid)
MC (Moisture Content)
S (Degree of Saturation
e( void Ratio)

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

FORMULA FOR UNIT WEIGHT: Critical Hydraulic Gradient

Submerged or Buoyant Unit Weight or icr
Effective Unit Weight

’=

’=

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Relative Density of Granular soils:

Where: e = Void Ratio in Situ Condition

emax = Void Ratio of the soil in LOOSEST condition
emin = Void Ratio of the soil in DENSEST condition

x100%

Where: d = Dry Unit Weight in Situ Condition

d min = Dry unit of the soil in LOOSEST condition
d max = Void Ratio of the soil in DENSEST condition

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 1 a. Dry Unit Weight
The moist unit weight of a soil is Given that G=2.69
and water is 9.8%. Determine the following:
3
a. Dry Unit Weight 𝛾 𝑑=17.49 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚

𝑒= 0.509
b. Void Ratio
c. Porosity 𝑒= 0.509
d. Degree of Saturation
2.69 𝐾𝑁
𝛾 𝑑= ( 9.81 )
1+ 0.509 𝑚
3

3
𝛾 𝑑=17. 486 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚 Answer
Other Solution:

Answer
3
𝛾 𝑑=17. 486 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 1 c. Porosity d. Degree of Saturation
The moist unit weight of a soil is Given that G=2.69 G (MC) = S (e)
𝑣𝑣 𝑒
and water is 9.8%. Determine the following: n= =
𝑉 1+ 𝑒
2.69 (0.098) = S (0.509)
a. Dry Unit Weight 𝛾 𝑑=17.49 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚
3 𝑒
n=
1+𝑒
𝑒= 0.509
b. Void Ratio
S=0.5178
c. Porosity 0.509
n=0 .337 n=
1+0.509
d. Degree of Saturation S=51.78%
S=51.79%
Answer
n=0 .337
Answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2 a. Dry Unit Weight
For a given soil, the following are known: G=2.74,
moist unit weight = 20.6 and moisture content of
16.6%.
Determine the following:
a. Dry Unit Weight 𝛾 𝑑=17.67 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚3
3
b. Void Ratio 𝑒= 0.52 𝛾 𝑑=17.6 6 7 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚
c. Porosity Answer
d. Degree of Saturation
e. Weight of Water in KN to be added per cubic b. Void Ratio
meter of soil to attain 100% degree of saturation.

1 Answer

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2 c. Porosity e. Weight of water to be added (KN/m^3)
For a given soil, the following are known: G=2.74, 𝑒
n=
moist unit weight = 20.6 and moisture content of 1+𝑒
16.6%.
0.521
n=
Determine the following: 1+0.52 1
a. Dry Unit Weight 𝛾 𝑑=17.67 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚3
b. Void Ratio 𝑒= 0.52 n=0.34 3
n=0.34
c. Porosity Answer
d. Degree of Saturation S=87.47% Unit weight of Water to added
e. Weight of Water in KN to be added per cubic d. Degree of Saturation
meter of soil to attain 100% degree of saturation. G (MC) = S (e)
3
0 .44 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚 2.74 (0.166) = S (0.52) 𝐾𝑁 20.6 𝐾𝑁
2 1.0 29 3
−
𝑚 𝑚3
S=0.8723

S=87.23% 0 . 429 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚3
Answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 3 a. Void Ratio
The unit weight of soil is 15.10 . The Moisture content
of the soil is 17% when the degree of saturation is
60%. Determine the following:
Eqn. 1
1. Void Ratio 𝑒= 0.59
G (MC) = S (e)
2. Specific Gravity of Soil
G (0.17) = 0.60 (e)
3. Saturated Unit Weight
Eqn 2; Substitute eqn. 2 to eqn. 1

4
answer

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 3 b. Specific Gravity
The unit weight of soil is 15.10 . The Moisture content
Eqn. 2
of the soil is 17% when the degree of saturation is
60%. Determine the following:
𝑒=0.594
1. Void Ratio
𝑒= 0.59
2. Specific Gravity of Soil
𝐺 =2.08 𝐺=2.097 answer
3. Saturated Unit Weight 3
𝛾 𝑠𝑎𝑡 =16.47 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚
c. Saturated Unit Weight

3
𝛾 𝑠𝑎𝑡 =16.563 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚
answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 4

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4 a. Void Ratio in Situ b. Moist Unit Weight
For a given sandy soil, emax=0.75, emin=0.46 and =
G=2.68. If the relative density of the soil Dr=78% and
its water content is 9%, determine the following: 𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑥=0.75
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛=0.46
1. In situ Void Ratio 𝑒=0.524 𝛾 𝑚 =1 8.80 6 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚
3

= answer
2. Moist Unit Weight of Compaction in
c. Dry Unit Weight
𝛾𝑚 =1 8.80 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚 3 𝑒=0.524
3. Dry Unit Weight in
𝛾 𝑑=17.25 𝐾𝑁 / 𝑚3
answer 𝛾 𝑑=
2.68
1+ 0.524(9.81
𝐾𝑁
𝑚
3 )
𝛾 𝑑=17.25 3 𝐾𝑁 /𝑚3
answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 5

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
A specimen of moist clay has a mass of 183.4g After oven drying , the mass is reduced to 157.7g. What is the moisture
content of the sample?

𝑊𝑤
𝑀 𝐶= 𝑥 100 % 25.7 𝑔
𝑊𝑠 𝑀 𝐶= 100 %
157.7 𝑔
𝑊 𝑤=𝑊 −𝑊𝑠
𝑀 𝐶=16.297 %
𝑊 𝑤=183.4 𝑔 − 157.7 𝑔 answer

𝑊 𝑤=25.7 𝑔

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 6

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 6
A soil sample has a bulk unit weight of 19.6 at a water content of 10%. Assuming G=2.7. Determine the percentage of air
voids.

G (MC) = S (e)
2.7 (0.10) = S (0.487)
S=0.555
S=55.497%
Air Void= 100%-S
𝑒= 0.487 Air Void= 100%- 55.497 %
Air Voids= 44.503%
answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 7

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 7
Field Density Test on a compacted fill of sandy clay
gives the following results:
Weight of Moist soil from Hole=1038 grams
Oven Dried Weight of the Soil=914 grams
Volume of Test Hole=0.0169 cu. Ft

Laboratory moisture density test on this soil indicated a

maximum dry density of 120 pcf at an optimum
moisture content of 11%. What is the percent
compaction of the fill?

𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡

𝜁= x 100 %
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 7 𝑀 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦=120 𝑝𝑐𝑓

( )( )
3 3
Field Density Test on a compacted fill of sandy clay 12 𝑖𝑛𝑐h 3 2.54 𝑐𝑚
gives the following results: 𝑉 =0.0169 𝑓 𝑡
1 𝑓𝑡 1 𝑖𝑛𝑐h
Weight of Moist soil from Hole=1038 grams
Oven Dried Weight of the Soil=914 grams 𝑉 =478.55 5 𝑐𝑐
Volume of Test Hole=0.0169 cu. Ft
914 𝑔
𝐷 𝑟𝑦 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
478.555 𝑐𝑐
Laboratory moisture density test on this soil indicated a
maximum dry density of 120 pcf at an optimum 𝐷 𝑟𝑦 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦=1.91 𝑔 /𝑐𝑐
moisture content of 11%. What is the percent 𝑔
𝑁 𝑜𝑡𝑒 : 1 =62.4 𝑝𝑐𝑓
compaction of the fill? 𝑐𝑐

𝐷 𝑟𝑦 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦=119.179 𝑝𝑐𝑓

𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 119.179 pcf

𝜁= x 100 % 𝜁= x 100 %
𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 120 𝑝𝑐𝑓

𝜁 =99.3 16 %
answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

SAMPLE PROBLEM 8

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 8 𝜌𝑚
a. Dry Density of Soil
𝜌 𝑑=
A moist soil sample having a volume of 1.4 cu.m has a 1 + 𝑀𝐶
total mass of 2400kg. Specific gravity of soil is 2.70. If
3
the water content is 9%, 1714. 286 kg / m
𝜌 𝑑=
𝜌𝑚 1+ 0.09
𝜌 𝑑=
1. Compute the dry density of the soil. 1 + 𝑀𝐶 3
3 𝜌 𝑑=1572.739 𝑘𝑔 /𝑚
2. Calculate the Degree of Saturation 𝑉 =1.4 𝑚 answer
𝑚=2400 𝑘𝑔
3. Compute the Volume of Water in the Soil Sample.
2400 𝑘𝑔
𝜌𝑚 = 3
1.4 𝑚
3
𝜌 𝑚 =1714. 286 kg / m

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 8
b. Degree of Saturation
A moist soil sample having a volume of 1.4 cu.m has a
total mass of 2400kg. Specific gravity of soil is 2.70. If
the water content is 9%,

1. Compute the dry density of the soil.

2. Calculate the Degree of Saturation 𝑒= 0.717

3. Compute the Volume of Water in the Soil Sample. 𝐺 𝑀𝐶=𝑆𝑒
2.70 (0.09 )= 𝑆 ( 0.717 )
𝑆=33.903 %
answer

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 SAMPLE PROBLEM 8
c. Volume of water in the Soil Sample
A moist soil sample having a volume of 1.4 cu.m has a
total mass of 2400kg. Specific gravity of soil is 2.70. If 𝑊 𝑤 ( 𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝑚 3 ) =𝑊𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 − 𝑊𝑑𝑟𝑦
the water content is 9%, 𝜌 𝑤=𝜌 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡 − 𝜌 𝑑𝑟𝑦
𝜌 𝑤=1714.286 𝑘𝑔/ 𝑚3 −1572.739 𝑘𝑔 /𝑚 3
1. Compute the dry density of the soil. 3
𝜌 𝑤 =141. 547 𝑘𝑔 / 𝑚
2. Calculate the Degree of Saturation𝑚 = 𝜌 𝑉
3 3
𝑚=1 41. 547 𝑘𝑔 / 𝑚 ( 1.4 m )
3. Compute the Volume of Water in the Soil Sample.
𝑚 =1 98.165 𝑘𝑔
1 98.165 𝑘𝑔
𝑉 = 3
1000 𝑘𝑔 / 𝑚
3
𝑉 =0.198 𝑚
answer

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

QUESTIONS?

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PROPERTIES OF SOIL

THANK YOU!
Lesson 1: Properties of Soil

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