1. What is Degree of Saturation?

Degree of saturation is the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids. It represents how much of the void space in a material is filled with water compared to its maximum capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Degree of Saturation formula:

Where:

• \( S \) — Degree of Saturation
• \( \omega \) — Specific Humidity (ratio of mass of water vapor to total mass of air parcel)
• \( \omega_s \) — Specific Humidity of Saturated Air (ratio of mass of water vapor to total mass of dry saturated air)

Explanation: The equation calculates the ratio between the actual specific humidity and the maximum specific humidity that the air can hold at a given temperature.

3. Importance of Degree of Saturation Calculation

Details: Calculating degree of saturation is crucial for understanding moisture content in materials, predicting weather patterns, and analyzing soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter specific humidity and specific humidity of saturated air values in kg/kg. Both values must be positive and valid for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the range of degree of saturation values?
A: Degree of saturation ranges from 0 (completely dry) to 1 (fully saturated). Values above 1 indicate supersaturation.

Q2: How is degree of saturation different from relative humidity?
A: While both measure moisture content, degree of saturation relates to volume ratios in materials, while relative humidity relates to partial pressures in air.

Q3: What factors affect degree of saturation?
A: Temperature, pressure, and the material's porosity and permeability affect the degree of saturation.

Q4: Why is degree of saturation important in soil mechanics?
A: It helps determine soil strength, compressibility, and permeability, which are critical for construction and foundation design.

Q5: Can degree of saturation exceed 1?
A: In theory, degree of saturation should not exceed 1, but measurement errors or unusual conditions might produce values slightly above 1.