1. What is a Soil Porosity Percentage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the porosity percentage of soil, which is the ratio of void space to total volume in a soil sample.

Purpose: It helps geologists, civil engineers, and agricultural professionals assess soil characteristics for construction, farming, or environmental studies.

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 void volume is divided by the total volume and multiplied by 100 to get the porosity percentage.

3. Importance of Soil Porosity Calculation

Details: Porosity affects water retention, drainage, aeration, and root penetration in soils. It's crucial for construction foundations, agricultural planning, and environmental assessments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the void volume and total volume in cubic meters. Both values must be positive numbers, and total volume should be greater than or equal to void volume.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a normal porosity range for soils?
A: Typical soil porosity ranges from 30% to 60%, with sandy soils at the lower end and clay soils at the higher end.

Q2: How do I measure void volume in soil?
A: Void volume can be determined by saturating a known volume of soil and measuring the water volume needed to fill all pores.

Q3: What's the difference between porosity and void ratio?
A: Porosity is a percentage of voids to total volume, while void ratio is the ratio of void volume to solid volume.

Q4: Why does porosity matter in construction?
A: High porosity can indicate weak, compressible soils that may require special foundation treatments.

Q5: How does compaction affect porosity?
A: Compaction reduces porosity by decreasing void spaces between soil particles, increasing density.