Porosity of Soil Sample Calculator

Porosity Formula:

\[ η = \frac{V_{void}}{V_t} \]

Porosity of Soil Sample:

1. What is Porosity in Soil Mechanics?

Definition: Porosity is the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the soil sample, expressed as a percentage.

Purpose: It helps geotechnical engineers understand the void spaces in soil which affect water retention, drainage, and compaction characteristics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ η = \frac{V_{void}}{V_t} \times 100\% \]

Where:

\( η \) — Porosity (%)
\( V_{void} \) — Volume of voids in the soil (m³)
\( V_t \) — Total volume of soil sample (m³)

Explanation: The volume of voids is divided by the total volume and multiplied by 100 to get the porosity percentage.

3. Importance of Porosity Calculation

Details: Porosity affects water flow through soil, water retention capacity, and the soil's ability to support structures. It's crucial for agriculture, construction, and environmental engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the volume of voids and total soil volume in cubic meters. Both values must be > 0 and void volume cannot exceed total volume.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical porosity range for soils?
A: Porosity typically ranges from 30% to 60% for most soils, with clay soils having higher porosity than sandy soils.

Q2: How is void volume measured?
A: Void volume can be measured using water displacement methods or calculated from known densities of soil components.

Q3: What's the difference between porosity and void ratio?
A: Porosity is the ratio of void volume to total volume, while void ratio is the ratio of void volume to solid volume.

Q4: How does compaction affect porosity?
A: Compaction reduces porosity by decreasing the void spaces between soil particles.

Q5: Can porosity be greater than 100%?
A: No, porosity is always between 0% and 100% as void volume cannot exceed total volume.