The maximum dry unit weight and the optimum moisture content of a soil are 16.8 kN/m3 and 17%, respectively. If Gs is 2.73, what is the degree of saturation at optimum moisture content

degree of saturation at optimum

moisture content is 78.1 %.

Explanation:

The maximum dry unit weight of the soil

Ya is 16.8kN/m

The optimum moisture content of the soil

wis 17 %.

The specific gravity of soil G is 2.73.

Calculation:

Determine the degree of saturation (S)

using the relation.

Yd = Gs Yw / 1+

Gsw/s

Here, Yw is the unit weight of water.

Substitute 16.8 kN/m' for a, 2.73 for G,

9.81 kN/m' for u, and 17 % for w.

16.8 = 2.73x9.811/2.73x

1.4641 26.78

S-1.594S = -0.4641

-0.594S = - 0.4641

S = 0.4641

S = 0.781x 100

S = 78.1 %

16.8

0.594

Therefore, the degree of saturation at

optimum moisture content is 78.1 %.