Question

A CL soil is being used for compacted fill on a project. A sample of the compacted soil with a total volume of 1/30 ft3 weighs 4.80 pounds. The water content was determined to be 20 percent and the specific gravity is 2.66. Compute the void ratio, moist unit weight and dry unit weight, gd.

Answer 1

A. 0.4

B. 1.003

C. 0.83

Step-by-step explanation:

The void ratio of a mixture is defined as the ratio of the volume of voids to volume of solids.

Total volume of soil = 1/30 ft3

= 1 ft3/30 * 0.0283 m3/1 ft3

= 9.43 x 10^-4 m3

Mass of water is in the soil = 20% * 4.8

= 0.96 pounds of water

= 0.96 * 0.454

= 0.44 kg

SG = density of substance/density of water

= 2.66 * 1 kg/l

Density of the soil = 2.660 kg/l

Mass of solid = 80 %

= 80% * 4.8 * 0.454

= 1.74 kg

Volume of solids = mass/density

= 1.74/2.66

= 6.63 l

= 6.63 x 10^-4 m3.

The volume of voids is found by adding the volume of water and the volume of air.

Total volume of soil = volume of (solids + voids)

9.43 x 10^-4 = 6.63 x 10^-4 + voids

Volume of voids = 2.8 x 10^-4 m3

A.

Void ratio = volume of void : volume of solids

= 2.8 : 6.63

= 0.4

B.

Y = (1 + w) * Gs * Yw * (1 + e)

Y = moist unit weight

Yw = unit weight of water

w = moisture content of the material

Gs = pecific gravity of the solid

e = void ratio

= (1 + 0.2) * 2.66 * 0.44 * (1 + 0.4)

= 1.003.

C.

gd = Y/(1 + w)

Or

= Gs * Yw * 1/(1 + e)

= 0.83.