1. What is Degree of Saturation?

The degree of saturation (S) represents the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of voids in a soil mass, expressed as a percentage. It indicates how much of the void space is filled with water.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the degree of saturation formula:

Where:

• \( S \) — Degree of saturation (%)
• \( V_{water} \) — Volume of water in the voids (m³)
• \( V_{voids} \) — Total volume of voids in the soil (m³)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the void space in soil is occupied by water. A value of 100% means all voids are filled with water (saturated condition).

3. Importance of Degree of Saturation

Details: Degree of saturation is crucial in geotechnical engineering for understanding soil behavior, predicting settlement, assessing permeability, and evaluating compaction characteristics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the volume of water and volume of voids in consistent units (typically m³). Both values must be positive, and voids volume must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does 0% saturation mean?
A: 0% saturation means the soil is completely dry with no water in the voids.

Q2: What's the difference between saturation and porosity?
A: Porosity measures the total void space, while saturation measures how much of that void space is filled with water.

Q3: What is typical saturation for compacted soil?
A: Well-compacted soil typically has saturation between 70-90% for optimal engineering properties.

Q4: How is this related to water content?
A: Water content measures mass ratio, while saturation measures volume ratio. They're related through specific gravity and void ratio.

Q5: Can saturation exceed 100%?
A: Normally no, unless there's measurement error or unusual conditions like entrapped air.