1. What is a Porosity Percentage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the porosity percentage of a material based on its void volume and total volume.

Purpose: It helps geologists, engineers, and material scientists quantify the void spaces in rocks, soils, or other porous materials.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Porosity percentage (%)
• \( V_v \) — Void volume (m³)
• \( V_t \) — Total volume (m³)

Explanation: The ratio of void space to total volume is multiplied by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

3. Importance of Porosity Calculation

Details: Porosity measurement is crucial for determining storage capacity of reservoirs, permeability of soils, and quality of construction materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the void volume and total volume in cubic meters. Void volume must be ≤ total volume. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered high porosity?
A: Typically, >20% is high porosity, 5-20% is medium, and <5% is low porosity, though this varies by material type.

Q2: How is void volume measured?
A: Common methods include mercury intrusion porosimetry, gas expansion, or fluid saturation techniques.

Q3: What's a typical porosity for sandstone?
A: Sandstone typically has 10-30% porosity, depending on grain size and compaction.

Q4: Does porosity include connected and unconnected pores?
A: Total porosity includes all void spaces, while effective porosity only includes interconnected pores.

Q5: How does porosity affect material strength?
A: Generally, higher porosity reduces material strength as there's less solid material to bear loads.