D _r

Relative density

e

Void ratio of soil

e _max

Void ratio corresponding to loosest state of soil

e _min

Void ratio corresponding to densest state of soil

G _b

Bulk specific gravity

G _s

Specific gravity of solids

k

Correction factor (specific gravity test)

M

Mass of water plus mass of soil solids

M _A

Mass of pycnometer filled with distilled water (specific gravity test)

M _B

Mass of pycnometer + distilled water + soil (specific gravity test)

M _c

Mass of the empty container (water content test)

M _dc

Mass of the container plus dry soil (water content test)

M _s

Dry mass of soil solids

M _w

Mass of water in soil

M _wc

Mass of container plus wet soil (water content test)

n

Porosity

S

Degree of saturation of soil

V

Total volume of soil

V _g

Volume of gas (air) in soil

V _s

Volume of soil solids

V _v

Volume of voids in soil, which equals V _g + V _w

V _w

Volume of water in soil

w

Water content (also known as moisture content)

? _b

Buoyant unit weight of saturated soil below groundwater table

? _d

Dry unit weight of soil

? _t

Total unit weight of soil

? _w

Unit weight of water

? _s

Density of soil solids

? _t

Total density of soil

? _w

Density of water