How to Calculate the Volume of Voids

••• Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

A void is the volume of space in a material such as sand or gravel not occupied by particles. The volume of voids is made up of tiny gaps between particles of the material. Calculating the volume of voids can be complex, requiring high-tech tools such as measuring lasers.

In other situations, like the one described here, the void calculation is fairly simple. You have to first determine the specific gravity of the material in question. Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water (the latter equal to 1 g/ml).

    Fill a 1,000 ml graduated container about half full of water. Weigh the container using a scale calibrated in grams. Record the weight and the exact volume of water in the container.

    Add enough sand to bring the overall level in the container to about 3/4 full. Weigh the container again and record the weight and the volume of material now in the container.

    Subtract the original weight (water only) from the weight of sand plus water to find the increase in weight. Subtract the original water volume from the volume of sand plus water to find the increase in volume.

    Divide the increase in weight by the increase in volume to find the specific gravity of the sand. For example, if the weight of sand plus water was 450 g more than of the water alone and the volume increase was 180 ml, you have a specific gravity of 450/180 = 2.5.

    Empty and dry the container thoroughly. Weigh the empty container. Fill the container to the 1,000 ml mark with dry sand. Use a straightedge to smooth the surface of the sand so it is level but do not pack the sand down.

    Weigh the container of sand and subtract the weight of the empty container to find the weight of the sand. Use the dry density formula (density equals mass divided by volume)

    Divide the weight by the volume (1,000 ml) to find the density of the sand. For example, if the sand weighs 1,500 grams, the density is 1.5.

    Subtract the density of the sand from the specific gravity of the sand, then divide the result by the specific gravity to find the voidage (proportion of empty space in the dry sand). For example, with a density for dry sand of 1.5 and a specific gravity of 2.5, you have a voidage of

    \frac{2.5 – 1.5}{2.5}= 0.4

    Multiply the voidage by the volume of the dry sand to find the volume of the void. With 1,000 ml of dry sand and a voidage of 0.4, you have a void volume of 400 ml.

Void Ratio and Porosity Difference

Whether working with soils or rocks, the void ratio and porosity difference is important to understand. The void ratio (e) is the ratio of the volume of voids (Vv) to the volume of solids (Vs). Porosity (n), on the other hand, is the ratio of the volume of voids (Vv) to the total volume (V) or volume of the voids plus the volume of the solids (Vv+Vs). The void content formula or void ratio formula would be written as

e=\frac{V_v}{V_s}

while the porosity formula would be written as

n=\frac{V_v}{V}

The relationship of void ratio and porosity, expressed mathematically, becomes

e=\frac{n}{a-n}\text{ and }n=\frac{e}{1+e}

Things You'll Need

  • 1,000 ml graduated container
  • Precision scale
  • Water
  • Sand or other material
  • Calculator
  • Straightedge

Related Articles

How to Calculate Voidage
How to Make a Five Percent Solution With Salt
Void Ratio for Common Gravel & Sand
How to Calculate the Density of a Mixture
How to Separate a Mixture of Sand & Salt
How to Determine Solubility Percentage
How to Convert API Gravity to Density
How to Calculate Volume of a Rectangular Prism
How to Convert From Moles Per Liter to Percentage
How to Make a Galilean Thermometer
How to Calculate Density
How to Convert Cubic Yards Into Pounds
How to Calculate Density, Volume and Mass
Science Fair Projects on Difference Between Sand &...
How to Convert Metric Tons to Cubic Meters
How to Convert PPM to Grains in Water Hardness
How to Find Density
How to Calculate the Weight of Sand
How to Calculate the Volume of a Powder Mixture

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!