1. What is Submerged Unit Weight given Shear Strength?

Definition: This calculator determines the submerged unit weight of soil based on shear strength parameters and soil characteristics.

Purpose: It helps geotechnical engineers analyze soil stability under submerged conditions, particularly for slope stability and foundation design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( yS \) — Submerged unit weight (KN/m³)
• \( \tau_f \) — Shear strength (KN/m³)
• \( \zeta_{soil} \) — Shear stress (KN/m²)
• \( \Phi_i \) — Angle of internal friction (°)
• \( \gamma_{saturated} \) — Saturated unit weight (KN/m³)
• \( i \) — Angle of inclination to horizontal (°)

3. Importance of Submerged Unit Weight Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation is crucial for designing underwater structures, analyzing slope stability, and evaluating bearing capacity of submerged soils.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter all required parameters in consistent units
• Angles should be in degrees (0-90°)
• Tolerance defaults to ±5% but can be adjusted
• All values must be positive

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical submerged unit weight for soils?
A: Typically ranges from 8-11 KN/m³ for most soils, but can vary significantly based on soil type and saturation.

Q2: Why include a tolerance factor?
A: Soil properties are naturally variable; tolerance accounts for this uncertainty in calculations.

Q3: How do I determine the angle of internal friction?
A: This is typically measured through direct shear tests or triaxial tests in a geotechnical laboratory.

Q4: What if my angle of inclination is 0°?
A: For horizontal surfaces (0°), use a very small value (e.g., 0.1°) as tan(0) would make the denominator zero.

Q5: Can I use this for partially saturated soils?
A: This calculator is specifically for fully saturated conditions. For partially saturated soils, different calculations apply.

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