Question

If a soil has a void ratio of 0.64, specific gravity of solids as 2.65, then its saturated unit weight will be ______

(a) 24.5 kN/m^3

(b) 25 kN/m^3

(c) 25.5 kN/m^3

(d) 19.5 kN/m^3

This question was posed to me in an interview for job.

My doubt stems from Functional Relationships topic in chapter Preliminary Definitions and Relationships of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) 19.5 kN/m^3

The explanation is: Given,

Voids ratio e = 0.6

Specific gravity G = 2.65

Saturated unit weight γsat = (G+e) γw/ (1+e)

γsat = (2.65+0.6)*9.81/(1+0.6)

γsat= 19.927 N/m^3.