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Total Volume of Soil or Rock Sample is the combined volume of solids and pores which may contain volume of air or volume of water, or both. It represents the complete spatial measurement of a soil or rock specimen.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the total volume by dividing the volume of water retained by the specific retention percentage and multiplying by 100 to convert to proper units.
Details: Accurate volume calculation is crucial for geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics, hydrogeology studies, and understanding the water-holding capacity of soil and rock formations.
Tips: Enter volume of water retained in cubic meters and specific retention as a percentage. Both values must be positive numbers (volume > 0, specific retention between 0-100%).
Q1: What is specific retention?
A: Specific retention tells how much water remains in the rock after it is drained by gravity, expressed as a percentage of the total volume.
Q2: How is volume of water retained measured?
A: Volume of water retained is typically measured through laboratory tests where a saturated sample is allowed to drain, and the remaining water volume is measured.
Q3: What are typical values for specific retention?
A: Specific retention varies widely depending on soil/rock type, ranging from less than 1% for dense rocks to over 30% for some clay soils.
Q4: Why is this calculation important in engineering?
A: This calculation helps determine water storage capacity, predict groundwater behavior, and design effective drainage systems.
Q5: Can this formula be used for all soil types?
A: The formula is generally applicable but may need adjustments for extremely porous or impermeable materials where specific retention characteristics differ significantly.