ABSTRACT

Mass-Volume Relationships The other aspects of the phase diagram connected with mass or weight can be explained with reference to Fig. 3.1.

Water Content, w The water content, W, of a soil mass is defined as the ratio of the mass of water, M

w ' in the voids to

the mass of solids, Ms' as

(3.5)

The water content, which is usually expressed as a percentage, can range from zero (dry soil) to several hundred percent. The natural water content for most soils is well under 100%, but for the soils of volcanic origin (for example bentonite) it can range up to 500% or more.