Question

In wet soil mass, air occupies one-seventh of its volume and Water occupies one- eighth of its volume. What will be the ratio of volume of voids with respect to the total volume?

(a) 0.329

(b) 0.279

(c) 0.432

(d) 0.286

I have been asked this question in an interview for internship.

The doubt is from Soil as Three Phase System topic in division Preliminary Definitions and Relationships of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) 0.286

Easiest explanation: Given,

Volume of Water Va= (1/7) total volume V

Volume of Water VW= (1/8) total volume V

Volume of voids Vv= Va + VW

Vv=(1/7)V+(1/8)V

Vv=(15/56)V=0.268V.