Question

What is the density of soil that contains 30% silt, 30% clay, 30%sand and 10% water by mass?

Answer 1

Assume we have 1000 g of this soil sample.

Mass of water = 10% = 100 g

Volume occupied by this much water = Mass/density = 100/1 = 100 cm³

Mass of silt = 30% = 300 g

Volume occupied by silt = Mass/density = 300/2.798 = 107.22 cm³

Mass of clay = 30% = 300 g

Volume occupied by clay = Mass/density = 300/2.837 = 105.75 cm³

Mass of sand (assuming it is coarse) = 30% = 300 g

Volume occupied by clay = Mass/density = 300/2.655 = 112.99 cm³

So,

Total volume = 100 + 107.22 + 105.75 + 112.99 = 425.96 cm³

So, bulk density of soil = Mass/Volume = 1000/425.96 = 2.347 g/cm³

Hope this helps !