1. What is Weight-Volume Relationship in Soil Mechanics?

Definition: These relationships describe how the weight and volume of soil are interconnected through density parameters.

Purpose: Essential for calculating soil quantities, designing foundations, and analyzing soil behavior under loads.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formulas:

Where:

• \( V \) — Volume of soil (cubic meters)
• \( L \) — Length of soil mass (meters)
• \( W \) — Width of soil mass (meters)
• \( D \) — Depth of soil mass (meters)
• \( m \) — Mass of soil (kilograms)
• \( \rho \) — Density of soil (kg/m³)

Explanation: First calculates the volume from dimensions, then determines mass using the soil density.

3. Importance of Weight-Volume Relationships

Details: Understanding these relationships is crucial for geotechnical engineering, earthwork calculations, and construction planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the soil dimensions in meters and bulk density in kg/m³ (default 1500 kg/m³ for typical soil). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between density and unit weight?
A: Density (ρ) is mass per unit volume (kg/m³), while unit weight (γ) is weight per unit volume (kN/m³), related by γ = ρ × g.

Q2: What are typical soil densities?
A: Range from 1200 kg/m³ (loose sand) to 2000 kg/m³ (compacted clay), with 1500-1800 kg/m³ being common for most soils.

Q3: How does moisture affect soil density?
A: Water increases total mass but may decrease dry density if it causes swelling. Always specify if using wet or dry density.

Q4: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, but ensure all length units are consistent and density matches the volume units (e.g., kg/ft³ for feet dimensions).

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: They provide theoretical values. Field conditions like compaction and moisture will affect actual values.