Moisture Content Calculator
Mass of water:
Mass of solids:
Moisture Content:
These values are determined by weighing a sample of the soil and then drying the sample in an oven and reweighing. A drying period of 24 hrs at 105-110oC is normally adequate for most soils.
Degree of Saturation Calculator
Volume of water:
Volume of voids:
Degree of Saturation:
The degree of saturation can range between the limits of zero for a completely dry soil, and 1 for a fully saturated soil.
Void Ratio Calculator
Volume of voids:
Volume of solids:
Void Ratio:
Porosity Calculator
Volume of voids:
Total volume of media:
Porosity:
Example Calculation (Adapted from Craig, 1997)
In it's natural condition a soil sample has a mass of 2290g, a volume of 1.15 x 10-3 m3, and particle density of 2540 kg/m3 (density of just the solids). After being completely dried in an oven the mass of the sample is 2035g.
Moisture Content:
Mass of water
= 2290-2035 = 225g
Mass of solids
= 2035g
Thus, moisture content = 0.125 or 12.5%
Degree of Saturation:
Volume of Water
= mass of water/density of water
= 225g /106 g/m3 = 2.25x10-4 m3
Volume of Voids:
= total volume - particle volume
= 1.15 x 10-3 m3-(2035g/2.54x106 g/m3)
= 1.15 x 10-3 m3 - 8.01 x 10-4 m3
= 3.49 x 10-4 m3
Thus, degree of saturation = 0.645 or 64.5%
Void Ratio:
Volume of Voids = 3.49 x 10-4 m3
Volume of Solids = 8.01 x 10-4 m3
Thus, void ratio = 0.44 or 44%
Porosity:
Volume of Voids = 3.49 x 10-4 m3
Total Volume of Media = 1.15 x 10-3 m3
Thus, porosity = 0.303 or 30.3%
References
Craig, R.F. (1997). Soil Mechanics; Sixth Edition. Published by Chapman & Hall, USA.
