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Test-01 2

This document outlines procedures for grain size analysis of soil particles through dry and wet sieve analysis. Key steps include: 1) drying and weighing soil samples, 2) sieving samples through a series of sieves to separate particles by size, 3) weighing particles retained on each sieve, and 4) calculating particle size distribution and coefficients. The process provides quantitative data on soil composition for classifying soils and understanding their engineering properties.

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131 views6 pages

Test-01 2

This document outlines procedures for grain size analysis of soil particles through dry and wet sieve analysis. Key steps include: 1) drying and weighing soil samples, 2) sieving samples through a series of sieves to separate particles by size, 3) weighing particles retained on each sieve, and 4) calculating particle size distribution and coefficients. The process provides quantitative data on soil composition for classifying soils and understanding their engineering properties.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS BY WET AND DRY SIEVE ANALYSIS

1. Objective: Dry and Wet Sieve Analysis is carried out to quantitatively determine the
Particle/Grain Size Distribution for soil particles of size 75 micron and bigger. For soil
particles of size 4.75 mm and bigger, dry sieve analysis is done and for soil particles of
size above 75 micron and below 4.75 mm, wet sieve analysis is done.

2. Apparatus Required:

The balance to be used must be sensitive to the


extent of 0.1% of total weight of sample taken.

Fig. 1: Balance

I.S sieves (100 mm, 63 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm,


4.75 mm, 2.00 mm, 1.18 mm, 0.600 mm, 0.425
mm, 0.300 mm, 0.150 mm and 0.075 mm). I.S
460-1962 to be referred. The sieves set should
have lid at top and Pan at base.

Fig. 2: Sieve

Mechanical Sieve Shaker

Fig. 3: Sieve Shaker


Thermostatically Controlled Hot Air Oven

Fig. 4: Oven

Fig. 5: Trays Fig. 6: Wire Brush

3. Reference: IS-2720 (Part 4):1985 (Reaffirmed- May 2015) “Methods of test for soils:
Grain size analysis”.

4. Procedure:
1. Dry the soil sample in a Thermostatically Controlled Hot Air Oven at 105 to 110 0C.
2. The quantity of the soil sample to be taken for the test should be as per Table 1 given
below:

Maximum size of material present in substantial Weight to be taken for


quantities test

75 mm 60 kg

40 mm 25 kg
25 mm 13 kg

19 mm 6.5 kg

12.5 mm 3.5 kg

10 mm 1.5 kg

6.5 mm 0.75 kg

4.75 mm 0.40 kg

Table 1: Quantity of sample taken for Test

3. Take representative sample of soil by using a Riffler or by any suitable method.


4. Take about 1 kg oven dried soil sample and sieve it through 4.75 mm IS sieve. The soil
fractions retained on and passing 4.75mm Sieve shall be taken separately for the
analysis.
5. Weigh the portion of the soil sample retained on 4.75mm Sieve and record the mass.
6. Sieve the sample retained on 4.75 mm IS sieve through the sieve of size 4.75mm and
higher (100 mm, 63 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm and 4.75 mm). Other sieves may be
introduced in between the sieves, depending upon the additional information desired
to be obtained. The sieves shall be agitated for minimum period of 10 minutes and any
particles may be tested to see if they will fall through, but they shall not be pushed
through. The soil fraction retained on each sieve shall be weighed to an accuracy of
0.1% of its total weight and record the weight.
7. The portion of soil passing 4.75mm Sieve shall be sieved through set of sieves of 2.00
mm, 1.18 mm, 0.600 mm, 0.425 mm, 0.300 mm, 0.150 mm and 0.075 mm. The sieves
shall be agitated for minimum period of 10 minutes. The sample retained on each sieve
shall be weighed and recorded.
8. The soil retained on 75 micron IS sieve is soaked in a solution of 1 g Sodium Hydroxide
and 1 g of Sodium Carbonate in 1 litre of water to dislodge the silt and clay particles.
9. Dispersion agent may not be required for all the types of soil. Wet analysis may be
carried out without dispersing agent.
10. Wash the soaked soil specimen on 75 micron sieve until the water passing is
substantially clean. The fraction retained on the sieve should be tipped in a tray, dried
in the oven, weighed and recorded. Repeat the same procedure two more times with
different samples from the same size for better accuracy.

5. Observation and Recording:

Cumulative
I.S Sieve Wt. retained in Percentage
percentage
Number/Size each Sieve retained on % Finer
retained on each
(mm) (gm) each sieve
Sieve

100

63

20

10

4.75

2.00

1.18

0.600

0.425

0.300

0.150

0.075

PAN

Table 2
6. Calculation:
1. The percentage of soil retained on each sieve shall be calculated on the basis of total
weight of soil sample taken. Then, cumulative percentage of soil retained (which will
give % finer when deducted from 100) on successive sieve is found.
2. Plot a graph on log scale with "Particle size (Diameter)" on X- axis & "Percent finer" on
Y- axis. The graph is known as grading curve (Fig. 6). Corresponding to 10%, 30% and
60% finer, obtain diameters from graph, which are designated as D1O, D30 and D60.
3. Calculate the Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu) and the Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) using
the following equations:
 Cu = D60/ D10
 Cc= D302/(D60 x D10)

7. General Remarks: In the case of clayey soils, dry sieving shall not be used and wet
sieving shall be used.

Fig. 8: Plot of Percent Finer vs. Particle Diameter


Fig. 9: General nature of grain-size distribution of well graded, poorly graded and gap
graded soil

Fig. 10: Soil Classification based on percent finer vs. grain size

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