0941231

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

CHAPTER 3
WEIGHT-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS
AS DISCUSSED IN PRINCIPLES OF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING BY DAS AND SOBHAN

BASHAR TARAWNEH, PH.D., P.E

 Introduction
• Mass (M) is a measure of a body's inertia.
• Weight (W) is the force of gravity acting on a body.

𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 ⋅ 𝑔𝑔

𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷, 𝜌𝜌 = 𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈, 𝛾𝛾 = =
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉

𝛾𝛾 = 𝜌𝜌 ⋅ 𝑔𝑔

• The SI unit of mass density (ρ) is (kg/m3).

• The SI unit of force is Newton, consequently, the unit weights of soils are
typically expressed in kN/m3.

• The density of water ρw varies slightly, depending on the temperature. Water

density is equal to 1000 kg/m3 or 1 g/cm3.
unit weight of water , 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 = 9.81 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� 3
𝑚𝑚
2
 Soil Phases
• Soil deposits comprise the accumulated solid particles and
the void space between those particles.

• The void spaces are partially or completely filled with water

or other liquid.

• Voids space not occupied by fluid are filled with air or other
gas.

• Therefore, soil deposits are referred to as three-phase

system, i.e. Solid + Liquid (water) + Gas (air).

3
4
Three Phase Diagram

5
Two Phase Diagram (Fully Saturated Soils)

6
Two Phase Diagram (Oven Dried)

7
Phase Diagram

The phase diagram below representing the solid particles, water or liquid,
and air or other gas.

8
Volumetric Ratios

• (1) Void ratio e

𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣
𝑒𝑒 = =
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠

• (2) Porosity n%
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣
𝑛𝑛 = = × 100
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡

• (3) Degree of Saturation S% (0 – 100%)

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤
𝑆𝑆 = = × 100%
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣

9
Weight Ratios

Water Content w%

𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊𝑤𝑤
𝑤𝑤 = = ⋅ 100%
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠

10
Soil unit weights
(1) Dry unit weight
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 = =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡

(2) Total, Wet, Bulk, or Moist unit weight

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 weight 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 + 𝑊𝑊𝑤𝑤

𝛾𝛾 = =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡

Saturated unit weight (considering S=100%, Va =0)

𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊ℎ𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 + 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 + 𝑊𝑊𝑤𝑤

𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡

Note: The density/or unit weight are ratios which connects the volumetric
side of the PHASE DIAGRAM with the mass/or weight side.
11
Specific gravity, Gs

The ratio of the mass of a solid particles to the mass of an equal volume
of distilled water
𝑤𝑤𝑠𝑠
𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 =
𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤

i.e., the specific gravity of a certain material is ratio of the unit weight of
that material to the unit weight of water

The specific gravity of soil solids is often needed for various

calculations in soil mechanics.
𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠
𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 =
𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 Gw = 1
Gmercury = 13.6

12
Typical Values of Specific Gravity

(Lambe and Whitman, 1979)

13
14
Example 1:
•In its natural state, a moist soil has a total volume of 9344.56 cm3 and a
mass 18.11 kg. The oven-dry mass of soil is 15.67 kg. If Gs = 2.67, calculate
the moisture content, moist unit weight, void ratio and degree of saturation.

3475.66 cm3

2.44 kg 2440cm3
18.11 kg 9344.56 cm3

15.67 kg 5868.9 cm3

15
Relationships Between Various Physical Properties
All the weight- volume relationships needed in soil mechanics can be
derived from appropriate combinations of six fundamental
definitions. They are:

1. Void ratio
2. Porosity
3. Degree of saturation
4. Water content
5. Unit weight
6. Specific gravity

17
Use of Phase diagrams in finding relationships physical
properties

• Remember the following simple rules:

1.Remember the basic definitions of w, e, Gs, S, etc.
2.Draw a phase diagram.
3.Assume either Vs=1 or Vt=1 or ws = 1 depending on
given values.
4.Solve the phase diagram for required values.

18
 If given e, assume Vs =1 Air
e
Water 1+e

Solids 1

If given w, assume Ws =1
Air

w
Water
1+w
1 Solids
19
 1. Relationship between e and n

Using phase diagram

Given : e e
required: n
1+e
𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣 𝑒𝑒
𝑛𝑛 = = 1
𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 1 + 𝑒𝑒

20
2. Relationship among e, S, w, and Gs
𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤
𝑤𝑤 = = = =
𝑤𝑤𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠

Dividing the denominator and numerator of the R.H.S. by Vv yields:

𝑽𝑽𝒗𝒗
𝒆𝒆 =
𝑽𝑽𝒔𝒔

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑤𝑤𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠

This is a very useful relation for solving THREE-PHASE RELATIONSHIPS.

21
2. Relationship among e, S, w, and Gs
Textbook derivation

22
2. Relationship Among e, S, w, and Gs Assume vs=1
Using phase diagram
Given : e, S, Gs
required: w
Ws= vs Gs γw Air
Ww= w vs Gs γw v v= e
Ww= w Ws vw =e S
e S γw Water
V=1+e
Gs γw + e S γw

Gs γw Solids vs=1

𝑊𝑊𝑤𝑤 𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑆 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑆
𝑤𝑤 = = = ∴ 𝑤𝑤 s = 𝑒𝑒 𝑆𝑆
𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾
s w s

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3. Relationship among γ, e, S and Gs

𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊𝑤𝑤 + 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 + 𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 + 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠
𝛾𝛾 = = = =
𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 + 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 + 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 + 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣

(𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 + 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 )
𝛾𝛾 = 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤
1 + 𝑒𝑒

Notes:
Unit weights for dry, fully saturated and submerged cases can be
derived from the upper equation
Water content can be used instead of degree of saturation.

24
 3. Relationship among γ, e, S and Gs
Using phase diagram
Given : e, S, Gs
required: γ
Air
e

e S γw Water eS
1+e
Gs γw + e S γw

Gs γw Solids 1

𝑊𝑊𝑡𝑡 (𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 + 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒)𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤

𝛾𝛾 = = 𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 = =
𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 1 + 𝑒𝑒 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 1 + 𝑒𝑒

𝑊𝑊𝑡𝑡 (voids filled with water) (𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 + 𝑒𝑒)𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤

𝛾𝛾𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = =
𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 1 + 𝑒𝑒 25
Various Unit Weight Relationships

26
 Solution of Phase Problems

• Method 1: Memorize relationships

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑤𝑤𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠
(𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 + 𝐺𝐺𝑠𝑠 )
𝑒𝑒 𝛾𝛾 = 𝛾𝛾𝑤𝑤
𝑛𝑛 = 1 + 𝑒𝑒
1 + 𝑒𝑒
𝛾𝛾
𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 =
1 + 𝑤𝑤
• Method 2: Return to Basics
• Remember the following simple rules:
1.Remember the basic definitions of w, e, Gs, S, etc.
2.Draw a phase diagram.
3.Assume either Vs=1 or Vt=1 or ws = 1 depending on given
values.
4.Solve the phase diagram.

27
Method 2: Problem assumptions

If given e, assume Vs =1 Air

e
Water 1+e

Solids 1

If given w, assume Ws =1
Air

w
Water
1+w
1 Solids
28
Example 2

Method 1a

29
Method 1b

30
Method 2:
Given : w = 9.8% , γ = 19.2 kN/m3, Gs = 2.69
required: γd , e, n, S

assume Ws =1 kN Air
0.01931

0.098/9.81 1.098/19.2
9.8/100 =
0.098
Water = 0.00998
= 0.0572
1.098

1 Solids 1/(2.69 x 9.81) =

0.03789

𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 1 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣 0.01931

𝛾𝛾𝑑𝑑 = = = 17.48 kN/m3 𝑛𝑛 = = × 100 = 33.76%
𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 0.0572 𝑉𝑉𝑡𝑡 0.0572

𝑉𝑉𝑤𝑤 0.00998
𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 0.01931 𝑆𝑆 = = × 100 = 51.68%
𝑒𝑒 = = = 0.51 𝑉𝑉𝑣𝑣 0.01931
𝑉𝑉𝑆𝑆 0.03789 31
 Example 3
Field density testing (e.g., sand replacement method) has shown bulk density
of a compacted road base to be 2.06 t/m3 with a water content of 11.6%.
Specific gravity of the soil grains is 2.69. Calculate the dry density, porosity,
void ratio and degree of saturation.

32
Relative Density
The relative density is the parameter that compare the volume
reduction achieved from compaction to the maximum possible
volume reduction
The relative density Dr, also called density index is commonly used
to indicate the IN SITU denseness or looseness of granular soil.

Volume reduction from compaction of granular soil 33

Dr can be expressed either in terms of void ratios or dry
densities.

34
Remarks

• The relative density of a natural soil very strongly affect its engineering
behavior.

• The range of values of Dr may vary from a minimum of zero for very
LOOSE soil to a maximum of 100% for a very DENSE soil.

• Because of the irregular size and shape of granular particles, it is not possible
to obtain a ZERO volume of voids. (Do you remember well-graded vs.
poorly-graded!!)

• ASTM test designations D-4253 and D-4254 (2007) provide procedure for
determining maximum and minimum dry unit weights of granular soils.

35
Granular soils are qualitatively described according to their
relative densities as shown below

The use of relative density has been restricted to granular soils

because of the difficulty of determining emax in clayey soils.
Liquidity Index in fine-grained soils is of similar use as Dr in
granular soils.

36