Mc Tyler Jude R.

Yunting-BSCE 4

(Assignment)DEFINE THE TERMS IN THE PROPERTIES OF SOIL:

Void Ratio (e) - is the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids.

Porosity (n) - is the ratio of the volume of voids to the total volume of soil.

Relative Density (Dr)- the ratio of the difference between the void ratios of a cohesionless soil
in its loosest state and existing natural state to the difference between its void ratio in the
loosest and densest states.

Specific Gravity of Solids (G) - the ratio of mass of a given volume of solids to the mass of an
equal volume of water at 4 degree C.

Group Index (GI) - it represents the performance of soil used in the construction of highways
and roadways.

Liquidity Index (LI) - is used for scaling the natural water content of a soil sample to the limits.

Liquid Limit (LL) - is the change of consistency from plastic to liquid state.

Moisture content (MC) - quantity of water contained in the mineral, such as soil, rock,
ceramics, crops or woods.

Plasticity Index (PI) -is a measure of the plasticity of the soil. It is also the size of the range of
water contents where the soil exhibits plastic properties.

Plasticity Limit (PL) - it is the moisture content at which a clayey soil attains plasticity.

Degree of Saturation (S) – is the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids.

Volume of Soil Mass (V) - the total volume of soil is the combined volume of solids and pores
which may contain air or water or both.

Volume of Air (V) - is that part of the void space not occupied by water.

Volume of Solid (Vs) - is the ratio of volume of voids to the void ratio.

Volume of Water (Vw) - in a soil can vary between zero (i.e. a dry soil) and the volume of voids.
This can be express as the degree of saturation in percentage.

Weight of Water (Ww) - in a soil sample that is oven dried is the difference between the weight before
drying and the weight of the solids measured after drying.

Weight of Solid (Ws)- when we take unit weight of solids, we consider only the solids weight and only
that volume which is taken by solids. No air voids included here.
Mc Tyler Jude R. Yunting-BSCE 4

Dry unit Weight- is a measure of the amount of solid particles per unit volume.

Unit Weight of Solids- the ratio of weight of solids to the volume of solids.

Saturated Unit Weight- is equal to the bulk density when the total void is filled up with water.

Density-is the degree of compactness of a substance. It is also the degree of consistency

measured by the quantity of mass per unit volume.

Density of Water- the weight of water per its unit volume which depends on the temperature
of the water.

Source:

Geotechdata.info
Theconstruction.org/geotechnical
Nptel.ac.in