It is an empirical parameter which provides an indication of the in-situ degree of compaction of the granular soils. This parameter is determined as:

Table 1 displays a correlation between relative density and consistency of granular soils.

Table 1: Consistency of Granular Soils

EX [5]:

The maximum and minimum dry unit weight of a sand are 17.1 kN/m3 and 14.2 kN/m3, respectively. The sand in the field has a dry unit weight of 16.5 kN/m3. Determine the relative density and describe the degree of compaction of the granular soil?