1. What is Porosity?

Porosity is a measure of the void spaces in a material, expressed as a percentage of the total volume. It is an important property in fields like geology, soil science, and materials engineering, indicating how much fluid a material can hold.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the porosity formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Porosity (percent)
• \( BD \) — Bulk density (g/cm³)
• \( PD \) — Particle density (g/cm³)

Explanation: The formula calculates the proportion of void space by comparing the bulk density (including pores) to the particle density (excluding pores).

3. Importance of Porosity Calculation

Details: Porosity is crucial for understanding fluid storage and transport in porous media. It affects water retention in soils, hydrocarbon recovery in reservoirs, and filtration efficiency in engineered materials.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bulk density and particle density in g/cm³. Both values must be positive, and bulk density must be less than particle density for valid results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between bulk density and particle density?
A: Bulk density includes the volume of both solid particles and pore spaces, while particle density refers only to the solid material without pores.

Q2: What are typical porosity values for common materials?
A: Soils typically range from 30-60%, sandstones 5-30%, clays 40-70%, and gravels 20-40% porosity.

Q3: How is porosity measured in laboratory settings?
A: Common methods include mercury intrusion porosimetry, gas expansion techniques, and water saturation methods.

Q4: Does porosity affect material strength?
A: Yes, generally higher porosity reduces material strength as there is less solid material to bear loads.

Q5: Can porosity be greater than 100%?
A: No, porosity is always between 0-100% as it represents a percentage of void space in the total volume.