Unit Weight of Soil Solids Given Specific Gravity of Soil Calculator

Unit Weight of Solids Formula:

\[ γ_s = G_s \times γ_{water} \]

Unit Weight of Solids (γ_s):

1. What is Unit Weight of Soil Solids?

Definition: Unit Weight of Solids is the ratio of weight of solids to volume of solids in soil.

Purpose: It's a fundamental property in geotechnical engineering used for soil classification and stability calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ γ_s = G_s \times γ_{water} \]

Where:

\( γ_s \) — Unit Weight of Solids (kN/m³)
\( G_s \) — Specific Gravity of Soil (dimensionless)
\( γ_{water} \) — Unit Weight of Water (typically 9.81 kN/m³)

Explanation: The specific gravity of soil is multiplied by the unit weight of water to determine the unit weight of solids.

3. Importance of Unit Weight of Solids

Details: This parameter is crucial for calculating void ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation in soil mechanics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the specific gravity of soil (typically 2.65 for quartz) and unit weight of water (default 9.81 kN/m³). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical specific gravity for common soils?
A: Quartz sands: 2.65; Clay minerals: 2.70-2.90; Organic soils: 1.0-1.8.

Q2: Why is unit weight of water 9.81 kN/m³?
A: This is the standard value representing the weight of water under Earth's gravity (1 g/cm³ × 9.81 m/s²).

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Accuracy depends on precise measurement of specific gravity (±5% typical).

Q4: Can I use this for organic soils?
A: Yes, but organic soils have lower specific gravity values (1.0-1.8).

Q5: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses kN/m³, but results can be converted to other units if needed.