Degree of Saturation of Soil Sample Calculator

Degree of Saturation Formula:

\[ S = \frac{V_w}{V_v} \]

Degree of Saturation:

±5%

1. What is Degree of Saturation of Soil?

Definition: Degree of Saturation (S) is the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids in a soil sample, expressed as a percentage.

Purpose: It indicates how much of the void space in soil is filled with water, which is crucial for understanding soil behavior in geotechnical engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ S = \frac{V_w}{V_v} \times 100\% \]

Where:

\( S \) — Degree of Saturation (%)
\( V_w \) — Volume of water (m³)
\( V_v \) — Volume of voids (m³)

Explanation: The volume of water is divided by the void volume to determine what percentage of the void space is occupied by water.

3. Importance of Degree of Saturation

Details: The degree of saturation affects soil strength, compressibility, and permeability. It's critical for foundation design, slope stability analysis, and earthwork construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the volume of water and void space volume in cubic meters. The result will be displayed as a percentage with ±5% accuracy.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does 100% saturation mean?
A: 100% saturation means all void spaces in the soil are filled with water (no air present).

Q2: What's a typical saturation range for soils?
A: Dry soils: 0-30%, Moist soils: 30-70%, Saturated soils: 70-100%.

Q3: How do I measure void volume?
A: Void volume can be calculated from porosity (n) and total volume (V) as V_v = n × V.

Q4: Why is there a ±5% accuracy margin?
A: The margin accounts for measurement uncertainties and natural variations in soil composition.

Q5: How does saturation affect soil strength?
A: Generally, strength decreases with increasing saturation, especially in cohesive soils.