The Delft Sand, Clay & Rock Cutting Model, 2019a

Basic Soil Mechanics.
Table 2-3: Empirical values for ρs, of cohesive soils based on the standard penetration number, (From
Bowels, Foundation Analysis).
SPT Penetration, N-Value (blows/ foot)
ρs, sat (kg/m 3 )
0 - 4 1600 - 1840
4 - 8 1840 - 2000
8 - 32 2000 - 2240
Table 2-4: Typical Soil Characteristics (From Lindeburg, Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE
Exam, 8 th edition).
Soil Type ρs (kg/m 3 ) ρs, sat (kg/m 3 )
Sand, loose and uniform 1440 1888
Sand, dense and uniform 1744 2080
Sand, loose and well graded 1584 1984
Sand, dense and well graded 1856 2160
Glacial clay, soft 1216 1760
Glacial clay, stiff 1696 2000
Table 2-5: Typical Values of Soil Index Properties
(From NAVFAC 7.01).
Soil Type ρs (kg/m 3 )
Sand; clean, uniform, fine or medium 1344 - 2176
Silt; uniform, inorganic 1296 - 2176
Silty Sand 1408 - 2272
Sand; Well-graded 1376 - 2368
Silty Sand and Gravel 1440 - 2480
Sandy or Silty Clay 1600 - 2352
Silty Clay with Gravel; uniform 1840 - 2416
Well-graded Gravel, Sand, Silt and Clay 2000 - 2496
Clay 1504 - 2128
Colloidal Clay 1136 - 2048
Organic Silt 1392 - 2096
Organic Clay 1296 - 2000
2.4.3.3. Relative Density.
Relative density is an index that quantifies the state of compactness between the loosest and densest possible state
of coarse-grained soils. The relative density is written in the following formulas:
D
r
emax
e nmax
n
e e n n
max min max min
(2-6)
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