Question

A cohesive soil yields a maximum dry density of 1.8 g/cc at an OMC of 16 % during a standard proctor test. What will be its degree of saturation?Take G=2.65

(a) 100 %

(b) 60.45 %

(c) 43.27 %

(d) 89.79 %

The question was asked during an internship interview.

This interesting question is from Effect of Compaction on Soil Properties topic in chapter Compaction of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Correct answer is (d) 89.79 %

Explanation: Given ρd = 1.8 g/cm^3; w=0.1; G=2.65

e=G ρw/ρd -1 = (2.65×1/1.8) -1 =0.4722

S = w G/e = 0.16×2.65/0.4722=0.8979=89.79 %

Degree of saturation, S=89.79 %.