CIE 047

Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics

Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

LESSON TITLE: CONCEPT OF WEIGHT-VOLUME Materials:

RELATIONSHIPS Textbook, Notebook, Pen, Calculator

Lesson Objectives: References:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Define the different weight-volume relationships
such as void ratio, porosity, unit weight, etc.
2. Memorize all the derived formulas.
Principles of Geotechnical Engineering by Braja M. Das
(Please copy the following link if you wish to have the book
in a PDF format) https://drive.google.com/file/d/
1syTlrappQ4n-JacOC0JUJp2Tn3DD6gQg/view?
usp=sharing

Productivity Tip:

SOIL MECHANICS IS TOUGH AND SO ARE

YOU. - Dan Urmaza
The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens
the egg. It’s not the circumstances around you. It’s what
you’re made of and you are born be tough! No matter
how hard this subject gets, no matter how tough this is,
you are 1000% tougher! Right? Yes, you are! 😀

A. LESSON PREVIEW
Introduction
Hello! How are you doing? I know you’re at home reading this. This is our very first home module! Before you
begin, I want you to remove any type of distraction. As much as possible, find the quietest room and make
yourself comfortable. You may also have your snacks and drinks beside you so you can easily refresh and
loosen up once you feel tired.
Last time, I have introduced to you the fundamental properties of soil. We have discussed Specific Gravity,
Sieve and Hydrometer Analysis and you have also learned how to analyze data from a Sieve Test. We also
have plotted Grain Size Distribution Curves in a semilogarithmic paper and many more! In this module, I am
going to speak about Weight-Volume Relationships. Now don’t be afraid of the formulas you’re about to see.
They will shock you at first but always remember that you are tough and you can do this no matter what.
Okay? Now, I assume you are ready. Turn to the next page! 😄

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

ACTIVITY 1 What I Know Chart (PART 1)

Instruction: Before proceeding to the main lesson, write three things you know or have learned from the
previous lesson in the first column “What I Know”. The third column “What I Learned” will be filled out at the
end of the module.

WHAT I KNOW QUESTIONS WHAT I LEARNED (Activity 4)

What are other terms for

1 1
submerged unit weight?

Give a formula that contains

2 2
void ratio and porosity.

What is the other term for moist

3 3
unit weight?

B. MAIN LESSON
ACTIVITY 2 Content Notes
In this next activity, you will be presented with presentation slides and a detailed explanation of the content of
each slide. You are to write down the key points of the lecture that are critical to your evaluation. Make sure
that your pen and paper are beside you so you can go with the flow of the lesson. Enjoy reading and have fun
learning 😍

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Soils are three-phase systems. It consist of solid, water, and air. A soil mass in its natural state has all
three. Some may only have solid and water, some only solid and air, or just solid (dry soil).

Now, let me define void for everyone.

As what’s stated above, a void is any mass that is non-solid so obviously, a void refers to both water and
air. If a soil mass contains all three elements - solid, water, and air, then the soil has voids in the form of
water and air. If it only contains solid and water, then water is the only void present. You now get the idea.

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Now, it’s time for us talk about weight and volume.

Let’s talk about weights first. Designating weight of solid as Ws, weight of water as Ww, weight of air as Wa,
weight of voids as Wv, and total weight W.
Neglecting the weight of air since it’s too light as compared to that of water and the solid, then we get the
first equation. Wa = 0.
So, then, the weight of voids only equal the weight of water, Wv = Ww. That’s the second equation.
The total weight of the soil sample, W is equal to the weight of the water and solid leading us to the fourth
equation.
Then talking about volumes. Designating volume of solid as Vs, volume of water as Vw, volume of air as Va,
volume of voids as Vv, and total volume V.
We are not neglecting the volume of air since air occupies a considerable space.
So the volume of voids equal the volume of air and water. That’s the third equation.
And, so the total volume of the soil is the sum of the volume of solid and voids. Fifth Equation. Or I can say
that V = Vs + Vw + Vv.
Those are the first five equations. Please learn this by heart ❤

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Now, moving on. The sixth equation is all about Specific Gravity, Gs. I know you have probably heard of this
from Module # 1.
The specific gravity of a substance is the ratio of the unit weight of any substance to the unit weight of
water. This substance is either solid or water. Denoting the specific gravity of a substance by Gs subs and the
unit weight g with subscript of subs for any substance (solid or water).
The seventh equation is simply the unit weight of water or gwater or gw. This is a constant value taken at 4
degrees Celsius. Note that the unit weight of water changes with temperature but for this subject, we are
going to use what’s given in the equation and probably the only value that we need to remember for the
unit weight of water except in subjects like Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics where water is studied in detail.
It comes in a lot of units though. It can be expressed in density form (1000 kg/m3 and 1 g/cc) Again, kg/m3
is kilograms per cubic meter and g/cc is grams per cubic centimeter. We can express it in terms of weight
per volume (9.81 kN/m3). When unit weight is being asked, the default is 9.81 kN/m3 in SI Units. In
English Units, it’s 62.4 pcf or 62.4 lb/ft3 or 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. Sometimes, although not widely
used, it can also be expressed in kg/L equal to 1.

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

The eighth equation is the general equation of unit weight of a substance. The unit weight of a substance is
the ratio of the weight of that substance to its volume.
The ninth equation is the weight of a substance in terms of the specific gravity, unit weight of water and the
volume of the substance. We know from equation 6 that Gs subs = gsubs/ gwater. So that means gsubs = Gs
subs(gwater). So substituting this equation to the eighth equation (cross multiplying Vsubs), we end up with the
ninth equation.

Now, this is the beginning of the volume relationships. The three most commonly used volume relationships
are the void ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation.
Let’s start with void ratio, We are going to denote void ratio by the small letter e.
By definition, the void ratio is the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids. A GOOD MNEMONIC
IS “EVS”. We are talking about volume here. So this equation is in terms of volume. And so “EVS” means E
= VOID RATIO, V = VOID/S, S = SOLID/S. Remember that!

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Next is we have porosity, denoted by the small letter n. Porosity, n, is defined as the ratio of the volume of
voids to the total volume.
Again, we are talking about volumes here. So as a mnenomic, we remember NaVaTa - N stands for
Porosity, V stands for Voids and T stands for TOTAL Volume.

Next is the Degree of Saturation, denoted by the capital letter S. Degree of Saturation, S, is defined as the
ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids.
Again, we are talking about volumes so a good mnemonic would be SWaVe. S stands for Degree of
Saturation. W stands for Volume of Water, and V stands for Volume Voids.

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

We also have derived equations for porosity and void ratio.

We can express porosity in terms of void ratio and void ratio in terms of porosity.
In terms of void ratio, porosity can expressed as: n = e / (1+e)
In terms of porosity, void ratio can be expressed as: e = n / (1-n)

So we are done with the three volume relationships, namely Void Ratio (e), Porosity (n), and Degree of
Saturation (S). Please take note of their mnemonics, EVS, NaVaTa, and SWaVe.
Now let’s take a look at our weight relationships. First, we have the moisture content, sometimes called the
water content, denoted by the small italicized letter w. So since we’re now talking about weights, our
equation will be in terms of weights. And the moisture content/ water content is simply the ratio of the
weight of water to the weight of solids.
In mathematical equations, w = Ww / Ws.
Mnenomics will be WaWaSa. W = Moisture/ Water Content. W = Weight of Water, S = Weight of Solids.

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

The next weight relationship we are going to take is called unit weight, denoted by the Greek Letter g.
Unit weights may come in a lot of forms such as dry unit weight, moist unit weight, bulk unit weight, etc.
Let’s discuss what dry unit weight is first.
Dry Unit Weight denoted by gd is the weight per unit volume of soil without water.
In mathematical equation, gd is equal to the weight of solids per total volume of soil. See the equation
above.

Next is called the bulk unit weight or moist unit weight. In other subjects, these two are different from each
other.
Bulk or Moist Unit Weight, denoted by g, is the unit weight of the entire soil mass including all voids.
In equation, it is simply equal to total weight over total volume.
We can also express the dry unit weight in terms of the bulk/ moist unit weight which is the 18th equation
above.

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

The 19th equation is just a variation of the 18th equation. But this time, it’s the equation of the bulk/ moist
unit weight. You can cross multiply (1+w) and combine it with gd and susbtitute gd with Ws/ V.

There are still a lot of equations to go but I know you can do it. It’s difficult at first but you’ll get used to it
eventually so hang on! Don’t give up. Once you memorize all of it, it will be easier for you to get through to
the next topics.
The following equations are equations of unit weight in terms of the specific gravity, Gs, degree of
saturation, S, void ratio, e, and the unit weight of weight of water, gw.
The 20th equation tells us that the bulk/ moist unit weight is equal to (Gs+Se) multiplied by gw divided by
1+e.
The 21st equation is a special case of the 20th equation and that is when the degree of saturation, S=0.
When S = 0, the soil is dry and so when you substitute S = 0 to the 20th equation then the remaining term in
the parenthesis would be the specific gravity. This unit weight is the dry unit weight since the soil is dry at S
= 0.
And then the 22nd equation is when the soil is fully saturated. A fully saturated soil means that all voids are
water. So S = Vw/ Vv. So Vw = Vv so S = 1. We can also express that in percent but in the equations above
S is not expressed in percent. This is called the saturated unit weight or gsat.

Another useful equation is this in terms of degree of saturation, S, void ratio, e, water content, w, and
specific gravity, Gs.
It’s the easiest to remember - SeWGs, SeWGs, SeWGs. Parang toogs, toogs, toogs!

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

Another one is called the buoyant/ submerged/ effective unit weight and is denoted by g’ (gamma prime).
And it is simply the difference of the saturated unit weight and the unit weight of water.
It can also be expressed in terms of specific gravity and void ratio, as seen in the 25th equation.

ACTIVITY 3 Skill-Building Activities

Now, you will be presented with a brief activity that contains both objective and problem solving type questions.
You can check your answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this module. But as much as
possible, don’t peek if you still haven’t tried answering the questions 😅 Write your score on the space
provided. Good Luck! Have fun answering!

WHAT’S
Activity 3 Questions YOUR
SCORE?

I want you to list all of the formulas in one paper without looking! Double check against the formulas from the Main
1
Lesson. Give yourself one point for each formula you memorize! Highest possible score is 25 points!

ACTIVITY 4 What I Know Chart (PART 2)

Now, go back to Activity 1 and answer the questions filling out the “What I Know Column” after going through
the main lesson and answering the questions from Activity 3.

ACTIVITY 5 Check For Understanding

Now, I’m sure that you have learned enough and are ready to take a short quiz. Of course, the questions that
will be given are more challenging than Activity 3. The schedule will be announced in class. Instructions:
You will write your solutions and answers in a short coupon bond. You may use more than one paper. But only
a limited number will be submitted. (Note: For problem solving type: for values less than one, round off to up to
four significant figures {e.g. 0.1234, 0.5780, 0.0069 are values with four significant figures}, and for values
greater than one, round off to three decimal places {e.g. 3.178, 222.900, 93.232 are values with three decimal
places}).

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 CIE 047
Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics
Student’s Activity Sheet Module # 2
Home Module
!
Name: __________________________________
Section:_________________________________ Class Number: _______________
Schedule: _______________________________ Date: _______________

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
ACTIVITY 6 Thinking About Learning

You are done with the session! Let’s track your progress!
Period 1 Period 2 Period 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

ACTIVITY 6.1 Unanswered Questions

In this activity, I’m asking you to write your questions that are still unanswered at this time of reading. If there’s
any thing that still confuses you, don’t hesitate to write them down below. Make sure though that these
questions are not included in the FAQs section written below/ on the next page. So I suggest you to read the
FAQs first before proceeding to this activity 😊
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

QUESTION Do we have to memorize all the formulas in the quiz?

ANSWER Yes! You can do it! There are more formulas to come in the next module so this is a good
starter 😎

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
See Answer Key from ACTIVITY 3 Skill-Building Activities
1. Double-check against the Main Lesson.

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