ABSTRACT
Specific Gravity The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio of its mass in air to the mass of an equal volume of water at reference temperature, 4 °e. The specific gravity of a mass of soil (including air, water and solids) is termed as bulk specific gravity Gm. It is expressed as
w VP
The specific gravity of solids, G s ' (excluding air and water) is expressed by
(3.11)
(3.12)
Interrelationships of Different Parameters We can establish relationships between the different parameters defined by equations from (3.2) through (3.12). In order to develop the relationships, the block diagram Fig. 3.2 is made use of. Since the sectional area perpendicular to the plane of the paper is assumed as unity, the heights of the blocks will represent the volumes. The volume of solids may be represented as Vs = 1. When the soil is fully saturated, the voids are completely filled with water.
