GATE 2016 CE (CE1) – Question 50
The porosity (n) and the degree of saturation (S) of a soil sample are 0.7 and 40%, respectively. In a 100 m3 volume of the soil, the volume (expressed in m3) of air is ______.
Practise this question in The GATE Grind →
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: 41 to 43
Explanation
Porosity is the void fraction, so the100m³ soil mass contains0.70·100=70m³ of voids. At degree of saturation40%, water fills28m³ and air occupies the remaining60% of the voids. Thus Va=70·0.60=**42m³**. Saturation applies to void volume, not total volume.