Description
Return retained volume factor and shrinkage fraction.
Soil measurements distinguish bulk volume, pore volume, water mass, fine earth and excluded rock or sand. Gravimetric water content and volumetric water content have different denominators; accessible-pore shares and bulk-volume shares are not interchangeable. Supplied normalization bounds do not establish a validated retention curve.
Return retained volume factor and shrinkage fraction.
When to use this tool
Use Soil Volume Shrinkage Factor when checking the stated soil water, mass, pore or aggregate basis.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter initialVolume, finalVolume. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read retainedFactor, shrinkageFraction. Use the output convention below.
Return retained volume factor and shrinkage fraction. Require initialVolume > 0 and finalVolume >= 0; retained = final/initial, shrinkage = 1-retained.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| initialVolume | Initial Volume | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| finalVolume | Final Volume | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| retainedFactor | Retained Factor | Required. Finite number. |
| shrinkageFraction | Shrinkage Fraction | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"initialVolume": 10,
"finalVolume": 8
},
"output": {
"retainedFactor": 0.8,
"shrinkageFraction": 0.2
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Swelling gives negative shrinkage; material identity, actual field process and structural implications are not determined.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified sampling, density and moisture measurements with the intended complete soil model for field water status, structure or management conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Soil Core Volume Residual
Return cylindrical core volume and measurement residual.
- Soil Core Shrink Swell Path Sign
Return signed core-volume change under a swelling convention.