Soil - Earth Weight and Composition
Typical weight and composition of soil.
Approximate Weight
| Type of Soil | Approximate Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| (lb/ft3) | (kg/m3) | |
| Loose earth | 75 | 1200 |
| Rammed earth | 100 | 1600 |
Typical Composition
| Element | Approximate Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 6 - 10 |
| Calcium | 1 - 7 |
| Iron | 2 - 10 |
| Magnesium | 0.1 - 3 |
| Oxygen | 44 - 49 |
| Potassium | 1.5 - 3 |
| Silicon | 22 - 36 |
| Sodium | 2.4 - 2.5 |
Soil Classification
| Soil | Seeve Size (mm) |
|---|---|
| Silt | 0.002 - 0.06 |
| Sand | 0.06 - 2.0 |
| Gravel | 2.0 - 60 |
| Cobbles | 60 - 200 |
| Boulders | 200 - |
Soil Volume Relationships
Void Ratio
e = Vv / Vs
= n / (1 - n) (1)
where
e = void ratio
Vv = Va + Vw = volume of water and air in soil (m3)
Va = volume of air in soil (m3)
Vw = volume of water in soil (m3)
Vs = volume of solids in soil (m3)
n = porosity
Porosity
n = Vv / V
= e / (1 + e) (2)
where
n = porosity
V = total volume of soil - inclusive water and air (m3)
Degree of Saturation
S = Vw / V (3)
where
S = degree of saturation
V = total volume of soil - inclusive water and air (m3)
