Uniformity Coefficient Formula |
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Cu=D60D10 (Uniformity Coefficient) D60=Cu⋅D10 D10=D60Cu |
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| Symbol | English | Metric |
| Cu = uniformity coefficient | dimensionless | dimensionless |
| D10 = is the sieve diameter (grain size) which there are 10% of particles go through. | in | mm |
| D60 = is the sieve diameter (grain size) which there are 60% of particles go through. | in | mm |
Uniformity coefficient, abbreviated as Cu, also called coefficient of uniformity, a dimensionless number, classifies a soil as well graded or poorly graded. It is a measure used in geotechnical and civil engineering to describe the particle size distribution of a granular material such as soil, sand, or gravel. It is an important parameter in soil mechanics and plays a significant role in various engineering applications, including the design of foundations, embankments, and drainage systems.
Key Points about Uniformity Coefficient
- A higher uniformity coefficient indicates a wider range of particle sizes in the material, suggesting that the material is less uniform in terms of particle size distribution.
- A lower uniformity coefficient indicates a more uniform distribution of particle sizes.
Engineers use the uniformity coefficient to assess the suitability of a granular material for various construction purposes. Materials with a high CU may have a wide range of particle sizes, which can affect their compaction properties, permeability, and stability in construction projects. In contrast, materials with a lower CU are often preferred for certain applications because they are more uniform and predictable in their behavior.
