SOIL PROPERTIES

CE BOARD APRIL 2023

1. If the volume of void is equal to the volume of solids, what is the porosity and void ratio equal to
respectively?

SOLUTION
Vv
e= , when V v =V s
Vs

Vv
e= =1 ( void ratio )
Vs
e
porosity=
1+ e

1
porosity= =0.5
1+1
answer :0.5∧1
CE BOARD APRIL 2023

2. A sample of soil having a water content of 30 percent has a mass specific gravity of 1.91. the
specific gravity of the soil grains is obtained to be 2.69.
a. Evaluate the void ratio of the soil mass.
b. Evaluate the porosity of the soil mass in percent.
c. Evaluate the degree of saturation of the soil mass in percent.

SOLUTION

a. Void ratio of the soil mass

y wet
y dry =
1+ w

y wet =mass sp . gr . ×9.81

3
y wet =1.91 ( 9.81 )=18.74 KN /m

18.74
y dry =
1+ 0.30

3
y dry =14.41 KN /m

y w × Gs
y dry =
1+e
 9.81(2.69)
14.41=
1+e

answer :e=0.831
b. Porosity of the soil mass in percent
e
n=
1+ e

0.831
n= ( 100 )
1+0.831

answer :n=45.4 %

c. Degree of saturation of the soil mass in percent

wG s
S=
e

30 ( 2 , 69 )
S=
0.831

answer : S=97.10 %

CE BOARD APRIL 2024

3. The total weight of soil when fully saturated is 1600g and the weight of the soil after drying is
1000g. If the specific gravity of the soil grains is 2.67.
a. Evaluate the moisture content in percent.
b. Evaluate the void ratio.
c. Evaluate the porosity

SOLUTION

a. Moisture content
y
y dry =
1+ w

1600
1000=
1+w

answer :w=0.6∨60 %
b. Void ratio
 Gsw
S=
e

2.76 (60)
100=
e

answer :e=1.60
c. Porosity
e
n=
1+ e

1.6
n=
1+1.6

answer :n=0.615∨61.5 %

CE BOARD APRIL 2024

4. A sample of saturated soil has 30% water content and the specific gravity of the soil grains is 2.6.
Determine the dry density of the soil mass in g/cm^3.

SOLUTION
Gsw
S=
e

30(2.6)
100=
e

e=0.78

yw G
y dry = s

1+e

2.6(1)
y dry =
1+ 0.78

3
answer : y dry =1.46 gr /cm
CE BOARD APRIL 2024

5. A soil has a bulk density of 2.3 g/cm^3 and water content 15%, determine the dry density of the
sample.
SOLUTION
bulk density
y dry =
1+ w

23
y dry =
1+ 0.15

3
answer : y dry =2 gr /cm