Question

The moist density of a soil is 1680 kg/m³. Given w. = 18% and Gs = 2.73, determine: Dry density

Answer 1

To calculate the dry density of a soil given a moist density of 1680 kg/m³, a moisture content of 18%, and a specific gravity of solids of 2.73, use the formula ρd = ρ / (1 + w). The dry density is found to be approximately 1423.73 kg/m³.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question focuses on the calculation of dry density of a soil given its moist density, moisture content (w), and the specific gravity of solids (Gs). The dry density (ρd) is a measure of a soil's mass of solids per unit volume of soil without the influence of moisture content.

Steps to calculate dry density:

1. Use the formula ρd = ρ / (1 + w), where ρ is the moist density, and w is the moisture content as a decimal.
2. Convert the moisture content from a percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100, which gives 0.18 for 18%.
3. Substitute the moist density value (1680 kg/m³) and the moisture content (0.18) into the formula to find the dry density.

Using these steps:

ρd = 1680 kg/m³ / (1 + 0.18) = 1680 / 1.18 = 1423.73 kg/m³

Thus, the dry density of the soil is approximately 1423.73 kg/m³.