Bulk density, also called soil density, is the ratio of the total mass of a soil to the total volume.
$latex \rho = \frac{m_t}{V_t}\newline\newline
=\frac{m_w + m_s}{V_g + V_w + V_s}&s=2$
Where:
ρ = bulk density (kg/m3 or lb/ft3)
mt = Total mass (kg or lbs)
mw = Mass of water (kg or lbs)
ms = Mass of solids (kg or lbs)
Vt = Total Volume (m3 or ft3)
Vg = Volume of air (m3 or ft3)
Vw = Volume of water (m3 or ft3)
Vs = Volume of solids (m3 or ft3)
Typical Bulk Densities
| Soil Type | Bulk Density | |
|---|---|---|
| kg/m3 | lb/ft3 | |
| Sand | 1,600 – 2,000 | 100 – 125 |
| Silt | 1,200 – 1,350 | 75 – 84 |
| Clay | 1,100 – 1,400 | 69 – 87 |
| Sandstone | 2,150 – 2,650 | 134 – 165 |
| Igneous Rocks | 2,550 – 2,950 | 159 – 184 |
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