Practical Value of Water Content with respect to Total Mass Calculator

Water Content Formula:

\[ w = \frac{M_w}{W_t} \]

Water Content of Soil:

1. What is Water Content of Soil?

Definition: Water content of soil is the ratio of the mass of water to the total mass of the soil sample, expressed as a percentage.

Purpose: It's a fundamental property in geotechnical engineering that affects soil behavior, strength, and compaction characteristics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ w = \frac{M_w}{W_t} \]

Where:

\( w \) — Water content of soil (%)
\( M_w \) — Mass of water (kg)
\( W_t \) — Total weight of soil (kg)

Explanation: The mass of water is divided by the total soil mass, then multiplied by 100 to convert to percentage.

3. Importance of Water Content Measurement

Details: Proper water content measurement is crucial for determining soil compaction, bearing capacity, and settlement characteristics in construction projects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass of water in kg and total weight of soil in kg. The result will be displayed as a percentage. All values must be ≥ 0, and total weight must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical water content range for soils?
A: It varies widely: 5-15% for sands, 10-25% for silts, and 20-50% for clays.

Q2: How is mass of water determined in practice?
A: Typically by drying a soil sample and measuring the weight loss (ASTM D2216).

Q3: What's the difference between water content and degree of saturation?
A: Water content is mass ratio, while degree of saturation is volume ratio (how much voids are filled with water).

Q4: Why is water content expressed as percentage?
A: It's a convenient way to express the proportion without units, making comparisons easier.

Q5: How does water content affect soil strength?
A: Generally, strength decreases with increasing water content, especially in fine-grained soils.