1. What is Specific Gravity of Soil?

Specific Gravity (SG) of soil is the ratio of the density of soil particles to the density of water. It's a dimensionless value that helps in determining soil properties and classification.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Specific Gravity formula:

Where:

• \( \rho_{soil} \) — Density of soil (kg/m³)
• \( \rho_{water} \) — Density of water (typically 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C)
• \( SG \) — Specific Gravity (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula compares the density of soil particles to the density of water, providing a relative measure of soil particle density.

3. Importance of Specific Gravity

Details: Specific gravity is crucial in soil mechanics for determining void ratio, porosity, and degree of saturation. It's used in geotechnical engineering for soil classification and compaction analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter soil density in kg/m³ and water density (typically 1000 kg/m³). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical range for soil specific gravity?
A: Most soils have specific gravity between 2.60 and 2.80. Organic soils may be lower (1.0-2.0), while heavy minerals may be higher.

Q2: Why is water density typically 1000 kg/m³?
A: Pure water has maximum density of 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C, which serves as the standard reference value.

Q3: How does temperature affect specific gravity measurements?
A: Temperature affects water density. For precise measurements, use water density at the actual test temperature.

Q4: What's the difference between bulk and particle specific gravity?
A: Particle SG considers only solids, while bulk SG includes voids. This calculator computes particle specific gravity.

Q5: How is specific gravity used in soil classification?
A: SG helps distinguish between mineral and organic soils and is used in calculations for porosity and void ratio.