Soil mechanics is a branch of engineering mechanics that

describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics

and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a
heterogeneous mixture of fluids (usually air and water) and
particles (usually Clay, Silt, Sand, and Gravel) but soil may
also contain organic solids, liquids, and gasses and other
matter. Along with Rock mechanics, soil mechanics provides
the theoretical basis for analysis in Geotechnical engineering,
a sub discipline of Civil engineering. Soil mechanics is used to
analyze the deformations of and flow of fluids within natural
and man-made structures that are supported on or made of
soil. Examples applications are building and bridge
foundations, retaining walls, and dams. Principles of soil
mechanics are also used in related disciplines such as
Geophysical engineering, Engineering geology, Coastal
engineering, Agricultural engineering, Hydrology and Soil
physics.
Weight-Volume
Relationship
 Objectives
To compute the masses (or weights) and
volumes of the three different phases.

Notation Va air Ma=0

M = mass or weight Vv
V = volume Vw
s = soil grains water Mw
w = water Vt Mt
a = air
v = voids
t = total Vs soil
Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Water content (w) is a measure of the water
present in the soil.

Va Ma=0
MW air
w X 100% Vv
MS Vw water Mw
Vt Mt
Expressed as percentage.
Range = 0 – 100+%. Vs soil
Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Void ratio (e) is a measure of the void volume.

Va Ma=0
VV air
e Vv
VS Vw water Mw
Vt Mt

Vs soil
Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Porosity (n) is also a measure of the void
volume, expressed as a percentage.

Va Ma=0
VV air
n X 100% Vv
VT Vw water Mw
Vt Mt

Theoretical range: 0 – 100% Vs soil

Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Degree of saturation (S) is the percentage of the void
volume filled by water.

Va Ma=0
VW air
S X 100% Vv
VV Vw water Mw
Vt Mt
Range: 0 – 100%
Vs soil
Ms
Dry
Saturated

Phase Diagram
 A Simple Example
In this illustration,

e=1 air

n = 50% water

S = 50%
soil
 Definitions
Bulk density (m) is the density of the soil in the
current state.

MT
m  Va air Ma=0
VT Vv
Vw water Mw
Units: t/m3, g/ml, kg/m3 Vt Mt

Vs soil
Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Saturated density (sat) is the density of the soil when
the voids are filled with water.

Submerged density (’) is the effective density

of the soil ’when
=  it -issubmerged.
sat w
 Definitions
Dry density (d) is the density of the soil in dry state.

MS
d  Va air Ma=0
VT Vv
Vw water Mw
Units: t/m3, g/ml, kg/m3 Vt Mt

Vs soil
Ms

Phase Diagram
 Definitions
Bulk, saturated, dry and submerged unit weights () are
defined in a similar manner.
Here, use weight (kN) instead of mass (kg).
 = g

N/m3 kg/m3 m/s2

Specific gravity of the soil grains (Gs) typically

varies between 2.6 and 2.8.
 Weight- Volume Relationship
Consider a fraction of the soil where Vs = 1.

The other volumes can

be obtained from the
previous definitions. air
e
Se water Sew
The masses can be
obtained from:
Mass = Density x Volume soil
1 G s w

volumes masses
Phase Diagram
 Weight- Volume Relationship
From the previous definitions,
M W Se
w 
M S GS
air
VV e e
n  Se water Sew
VT 1  e

1 soil
Gs w

Phase Diagram
 Weight- Volume Relationship
M T GS  Se
m   W
VT 1 e
air
M T GS  e e
 sat   W Se water Sew
VT 1 e

MS GS soil
d   W 1 Gs w
VT 1 e
Phase Diagram
Summary of Formula:
Summary of Formula:
Try not to memorise the equations. Understand the
definitions, and develop the relations from the phase
diagram with VS = 1;
Assume GS (2.6-2.8) when not given;
Do not mix densities and unit weights;
Soil grains are incompressible. Their mass and
volume remain the same at any void ratio.
 A Suggestion..

If you can remember one thing in

phase relations, that should be ..
air
e
Se water Sew

soil G s w
1