What is the term for the ratio of volume of voids to the volume of solids in soil?

The term that describes the ratio of the volume of voids to the volume of solids in soil is known as the void ratio. This parameter is crucial in geotechnical engineering as it provides insight into the soil's structure and behavior under different load conditions. The void ratio helps in understanding the degree of saturation of the soil, affecting its strength and compressibility.

In practical terms, a higher void ratio indicates more void spaces in the soil, which can mean lower density and potentially higher compressibility. Conversely, a lower void ratio signifies a denser soil which may have different engineering properties.

This concept is fundamental for various applications, such as predicting soil behavior during construction and analyzing the stability ofearth structures. Other terms like soil density, soil cohesion, and soil permeability relate to different aspects of soil mechanics but do not specifically define the ratio of voids to solids.