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The Submerged Unit Weight of Water represents the effective weight of soil solids per unit total volume when submerged under water. It is a crucial parameter in soil mechanics for analyzing soil behavior under submerged conditions.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the submerged unit weight by dividing the submerged weight of solids by the total volume of the soil sample.
Details: Accurate calculation of submerged unit weight is essential for geotechnical engineering applications, including foundation design, slope stability analysis, and earth pressure calculations for structures in or near water.
Tips: Enter the submerged weight of solids in kilograms and the total volume in cubic meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between submerged unit weight and bulk unit weight?
A: Submerged unit weight accounts for the buoyant effect of water on soil solids, while bulk unit weight represents the total weight of soil (solids + water) per unit volume.
Q2: When should submerged unit weight be used instead of dry unit weight?
A: Submerged unit weight should be used when analyzing soil behavior below the water table or in fully saturated conditions where buoyancy effects are significant.
Q3: What are typical values for submerged unit weight?
A: Typical values range from 8-12 kN/m³ (approximately 800-1200 kg/m³) for most soils, though this can vary significantly depending on soil type and density.
Q4: How does water content affect submerged unit weight?
A: Water content affects the degree of saturation, which influences the buoyant force and therefore the submerged unit weight. Higher saturation typically results in lower submerged unit weight.
Q5: Can this formula be used for partially saturated soils?
A: This formula is primarily for fully saturated soils. For partially saturated soils, more complex relationships involving degree of saturation and air content must be considered.