A Silty Clay (CL) sample was extruded from a 6-inch long tube with a diameter of 2.83 inches and weighed 1.71 lbs. (a) Calculate the wet density of the CL sample. (b) A small piece of the CL sample had a wet weight of 140.9 grams and a weight of 85.2 grams after drying. Compute the water content. (c) Compute the dry density of the CL sample

a) the wet density of the CL sample is 0.0453 lb/in³

b) the water content in the sample is 65.37%

c) the dry density of the CL sample is 0.0274 lb/in³

Explanation:

Given that;

diameter d = 2.83 in

length L = 6 in

weight m = 1.71 lbs

A piece of clay sample had wet-weight of 140.9 grams  and dry-weight of 85.2 grams

a) wet density of the CL sample

wet density can be expressed as  p = M /v

V is volume of sample which is; π/4×d²×L

so p = M / π/4×d²×L

we substitute

p = 1.71 / (π/4 × (2.83)²× 6

p = 1.71 / 37.741

p = 0.0453 lbs/in³

so the wet density of the CL sample is 0.0453 lb/in³

b)

water content of sample is taken as;

w =  (wet_weight - dry_weight) / dry_weight

we substitute

w = (140.9 - 85.2) / 85.2

w = 55.7 / 85.2

w = 0.6537 = 65.37%

therefore the water content in the sample is 65.37%

c)

dry density of the CL sample

to determine the dry density, we say;

Sd = p / ( 1 + w )

we substitute

Sd = 0.0453 / ( 1 + 0.6537)

Sd = 0.0453 /  1.6537

Sd = 0.0274 lb/in³

therefore the dry density of the CL sample is 0.0274 lb/in³