1. What is Porosity of Soil?

Porosity of Soil is the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of the soil. Porosity is a crucial parameter in hydrology as it influences the movement and storage of water within the soil.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Porosity formula:

Where:

• \( \eta \) — Porosity of Soil (dimensionless)
• \( V_t \) — Total Volume of Soil or Rock Sample (m³)
• \( V_s \) — Volume of Solids (m³)

Explanation: The formula calculates the fraction of void space in the total volume of the soil sample, representing how much of the soil volume is available for fluid storage.

3. Importance of Porosity Calculation

Details: Accurate porosity calculation is essential for understanding water retention capacity, permeability, and the overall hydraulic properties of soil and rock formations in environmental and geotechnical engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total volume and volume of solids in cubic meters. Both values must be valid (Vt > 0, Vs ≥ 0 and Vs ≤ Vt).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical range of porosity values?
A: Porosity typically ranges from 0 to 1 (0% to 100%), with common soil porosities between 0.3-0.6 (30%-60%).

Q2: How does porosity differ from void ratio?
A: Porosity is the ratio of void volume to total volume, while void ratio is the ratio of void volume to solid volume.

Q3: What factors affect soil porosity?
A: Particle size distribution, shape, packing arrangement, and compaction level significantly affect porosity.

Q4: Why is porosity important in agriculture?
A: Porosity determines water retention capacity, aeration, and root penetration ability, all crucial for plant growth.

Q5: How is porosity measured in laboratory settings?
A: Common methods include water displacement, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and gas expansion techniques.