Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide the
avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate creativity
and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means and answers
are provided to the students. However it is still necessary especially to first and second
year students. Particle sized analysis of a soil is carried out by determining the weight
percentages falling within bands of size represented by these divisions and sub-divisions. A
representative sample of the soil is split systematically down to a convenient sub-sample size
and then oven-dried. The sample is then passed through a nest of standard test sieves
arranged in descending order of mesh size. Following agitation of first the whole nest and
then individual sieves, the weight of soil retained on each sieve is determine and the
cumulative percentage of the sub-sample passing each sieve is calculated.

Objectives

To quantitatively determine the particle size distribution in an essentially cohesion less soil,
down to the fine sand size, hence determine the silt and clay fraction percentage by
difference.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. Acquire the understanding of basic physic properties in determination for percentage

of silt and clay.

2. Acquire the necessary skill in performing standard laboratory to determine the

distribution of fine-grained particle sizes of soil.

3. Calculate and analyze data to report and present result in a proper engineering format.
Problem statement

For soil samples containing fine-grained particles, a wet sieving procedure is first carried out
to remove these and to determine the combined clay/silt fraction percentage. The combined
clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight difference and expressed as a percentage of
the total sub-sample weight. The test is in accordance to BS 1377-2: 1990 Test 9.2.

Basic concepts

General

Two methods of sieving are specified. Wet sieving is the definitive method applicable to
essentially cohesion less soils. Dry sieving is suitable only for soils containing insignificant
quantities of silt and clay.

Two methods of determining the size distribution of fine particles down to the clay size by
sedimentation are specified, namely the pipette method and the hydrometer method, in both
of which the density of the soil suspension at various intervals is measured.

Combined sieving and sedimentation procedures enable a continuous particle size distribution
curve of a soil to be plotted from the size of the coarsest particles down to the clay size.

 Wet sieving method.

This method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size distribution in an
essentially cohesion less soil, down to the fine sand size. The combined silt and clay fraction
can be obtained by difference. The procedure given involves preparation of the sample by
wet sieving to remove silt and clay-sized particles, which are rejected, followed by dry
sieving of the remaining coarser material. If the soil does not contain particles retained on
a2mm test sieve in significant quantity.

 Dry sieving method.

This method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size distribution in a
cohesion less soil down to the fine-sand size. This method shall not be used unless it has been
shown that for the type of material under test it gives the same results as the method of
analysis by wet sieving. In cases of doubt the method shall not be used.

 Sedimentation by the pipette method.

This method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size distribution in a soil
from the coarse sand size to the clay size (about2 µm).The procedure enables the percentages
of coarse, medium and fine silt, and clay, to be determined. These percentages can be linked
to the curve obtained by sieving to provide a single curve for the whole material.

 Sedimentation by the hydrometer method.

This method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size distribution in a soil
from the coarse sand size to the clay size.

If the sample has been wet sieved down to the 63 µm test sieve size then only the material
passing the 63 µ test sieve need be used to carry out this test, thus eliminating the necessity of
repeating the determinations of the same fractions. The analysis of data requires that the
particle density of the soil specimen is known or can be assumed. The test as described is not
usually necessary if less than 10% of the material passes the 63 µm test sieve when measured.

Procedure

1. Weigh the oven-dried sample to 0.1 % of its total mass, m1. Place the sample on the
20 mm test sieve and brush any particles too coarse to pass through the test sieve with
a wire brush or similar stiff brush until the individual particles are clean of any finer
materials. Take care when dealing with soft materials to ensure that the brushing does
not remove parts of the large particles.
2. Sieve the fraction retained on the 20 mm test sieve on the appropriate larger test
sieves and weigh the amount retained on each test sieve. If any test sieve becomes
overloaded sieve the material on the test sieve in parts, the parts not to exceed the
masses given in Table 1.
3. Weigh the portion of the oven-dried material passing the 20 mm test sieve to 0.1 % of
its total mass, m2. Riffle that portion so that a fraction of convenient mass (about 2
kg) is obtained. Weigh the fraction to 0.1 % of its total mass, m3.
4. Spread the riffled fraction in the large tray, or place it in the bucket and cover with
water. If the soil is cohesive, add sodium hexametaphosphate to the water first at a
concentration of 2 g/L.
5. Stir the mixture well to wet the soil. Allow the soil to stand for at least 1 hr in this
solution stirring frequently.
6. Wash the material, a little at a time, through a 2 mm test sieve nested in a 63µm test
sieve, allowing the material passing the 63 µm test sieve is virtually clear. Ensure that
neither the test sieve is overloaded in the process, either with solids or with water (See
Table 1). The maximum amount of material initially on the 63 µm test sieve shall not
exceed 150 g for a 200 mm diameter test sieve, 350 g for a 300 mm diameter test
sieve or 750 g for a 450 mm diameter test sieve.
7. Transfer all the material retained on the sieves into a tray or evaporating dish and dry
in an oven at 105o C to 110o C.
8. Weigh the dried fraction when cool to 0.1 % of its total mass, m4. Sieve the dried
fractions through the appropriate sieves down to the 6.3 mm test sieve, using dry
sieving procedure. Weigh the amount retained on each sieve to 0.1 % of the total dry
fraction.
9. If the fraction passing the 6.3 mm test sieve is small, i.e. not more than 150 g, the
sample may be sieved by dry sieving on the appropriate sieves to and including the
63µm test sieve. Weigh the amount retained on each sieve and any fines passing the
63 mm test sieve, mF, to 0.1 % of the total fraction passing the 6.3 mm sieve.
10. If the fraction passing the 6.3 mm test sieve is large, i.e. substantially greater than 150
g, weigh it (m5) and then riffle it so that a fraction of 100 g to 150 g is obtained.
Weigh this fraction, m6 and then sieve on the appropriate sieves down to and
including 63 mm test sieve, mE. If riffling is not necessary, m6 is the same as m5.
Weigh to 0.1 % of the total fraction passing the 6.3 mm sieve
Result

Date Time Elapsed Temp Reading, Rh = Effectiv Particle Rd = %

(min) time,t ,T Rh’ Rh’ e depth , diameter, Rh’+Ro’ finer
o
(min) ( c) +Cm Hr D than
(mm) (mm) D
(%)
15.40 0.5 27oc 1.018 1.018 95.0 0.029 1.118 5.93
15.41 1.0 28oc 1.018 1.018 95.0 0.029 1.118 5.93
11/3 15.43 2.0 29oc 1.019 1.019 95.0 0.029 1.119 5.94
15.47 4.0 29oc 1.019 1.019 95.0 0.029 1.119 5.94
15.55 8.0 30oc 1.020 1.020 100.0 0.029 1.120 5.94
16.25 30.0
18.25 120.0
26.25 480.0
12/3 15.40 1440.0 30oc 1.000 1.000 80.0 0.014 1.100 5.84

Discussion

This experiment was conducted to quantitatively determine the particle size distribution in an
essentially cohesionless soil, down to the fine sand size, hence determine the silt and clay
fraction percentage by difference. The method use are oven dried soil. The weight of soil
retained an each sieve is determine and the cumulative percentage of sub sample passing
through each sieve is calculated. The mass of the soil that passes the lowest sieved were
proceed to wet sieving to remove these and to determine the combined clay fraction.

From the table given, some of the data need to be fine as some are used later. Reading
dispersant is hydrometer reading at the upper. Hydrometer analysis is based on stokes law.
According to this law, the velocity at which grams settles out of suspension, all other factors
being equal is dependent upon the shape, weight and size of the grain. There were up to 4 part
of this test as tested, calibration of hydrometer, meniscus correction, retreatment and
dispersion.

The effective depth are derived from

After the meniscus correction has been obtained, the observed hydrometer reading Rh’ is
corrected to obtain the corrected hydrometer reading Rh as

Particle diameter in the measuring cylinder were calculated that can be derived as
Modified reading of hydrometer are obtained from the formula:

Next, in the solution the particle density are calculated but is there any particle which is finer
than it? This can be calculated using formula;

m = the mass of the dry soil used in gram

And finally obtained the value of circumstance percentage passing from

Conclusion

Based on the experiment, sieving process is one of the method to determine the size of
particles and can be used to seperate solids such as powders of different sizes. Besides that,
this analysis can be used to predict the soil classification. It can be describe quantitively
according to the different soil mass rate of particle size mass rate. Percentage of collected
soil is define as the mass of contain on each sieve devided by total mass of the soil sample.
The particle size distribution in essentially cohesionless soil, down to the fine sand size are
able to be determined.

Hydrometer analysis is used to determine the grain size distribution for the fraction of soil
which is smaller than 0.063mm of diameter from sieve analysis. A hydrometer analysis gives
results from which the percent of soil finer than 0.002 mm in diameter can be estimated. It
is accepted that the percent finer than 0.002 mm in size is clay. Most of the clay particles
are smaller than 0.001 mm. The presence of clay in soil is the one that contributes to its
plasticity.