torrhetsgränsen

Torrhetsgränsen, or the moisture limit, is a concept primarily used in soil mechanics and hydrology. It refers to the point in soil or rock where the pore spaces are no longer fully saturated with water. Above the torrhetsgränsen, the material is considered unsaturated, meaning it contains both air and water within its pores. Below this limit, the material is saturated, with all pore spaces filled with water.

The precise value of the torrhetsgränsen can vary significantly depending on the type of soil or rock. For example, coarse-grained soils like sands and gravels tend to have a lower torrhetsgränsen than fine-grained soils like clays. This is due to the differences in pore size and the forces that retain water within them. In geological contexts, the torrhetsgränsen can also be influenced by factors such as capillary action and matric potential.

Understanding the torrhetsgränsen is crucial for various applications. In civil engineering, it impacts the design of foundations, earth dams, and tunnels, as the strength and compressibility of soil are affected by its degree of saturation. In hydrology, it plays a role in groundwater recharge, water table fluctuations, and the movement of contaminants through the subsurface. Estimating the torrhetsgränsen helps in predicting how water will behave in the ground and its potential effects on surface and subsurface structures.