Job#3: Particle Size Analysis

Significance:
A knowledge of the sizes of the soldi particles comprising a certain soil and their relative proportion in the soil mass
is often very useful. Grain size distribution is used in soil classification, soil filter design, and to predict in a general
way how a soil may be expected to behave with respect to shear strength, settlement and permeability.

Typical Methods For Grain Size Analysis:

1- Mechanical (or Sieve) Analysis (sizes>0.075)
2- Hydrometer (or fine) Analysis (sizes<0.075)

Mechanical or Sieve Analysis:

Mechanical analysis determines the particle sizes and their relative distribution for those particles greater than 0.074
mm(0.0029in) and is accomplished by stacking (grouping) the sieves, one on tope of the other, pouring a known
weight of soil into the top sieve on the stack, and shaking the sieve in a certain manner to allow the soil to fall down
through the stack.

Sieve:
A sieve consists of a metal ring, usually made of brass, whose dimensions are typically 2 in deep and 8 in in diameter
(also available in 12 in and 18 indiameters) with a wire mesh or screen on the bottom.
The sieve is given a number that corresponds to the number of openings per linear inch on the screen or wire mesh;
for example, the U.S. Bureau of Standards #4 sieve has four 0.187inch openings per linear inch. (The reason the
openings in a #4 see are not 1 by 4 inch in size is that the one inch linear measurement also includes the diameter of
the strands or wires that comprise the mesh).

U.S Sieve No. Opening (mm) U.S. Sieve No. Opening (mm)
3 inch 76.200 20 0.850
2 inch 50.800 25 0.710
1.5 inch 38.100 30 0.600
1 inch 25.400 35 0.500
3/4 inch 19.000 40 0.425
3/8 inch 9.520 50 0.355
4 4.750 60 0.250
5 4.000 70 0.212
6 3.350 80 0.180
7 2.800 100 0.150
8 2.360 120 0.125
10 2.000 140 0.106
12 1.700 170 0.090
14 1.400 200 0.075
16 1.180 270 0.053

Nest of Sieves:
The stack of sieves are called a nest of sieves. the nest is arranged with the largest screen openings (smallest sieve
number) on top, progressing to the sieve with the smallest screen openings (largest sieve number) on the bottom of
the nest. A lid is placed on the top of the nest and a pan is placed below the bottom sieve to catch any soil that passes
through the smallest openings.
Care should be exercised when removing a sieves from the nest. Often the sieves fit tightly and a sudden, unexpected
disengagement could result in the contents being spilled from the sieve and the whole test being ruined. Additionally,
principally horizontal shaking motion should be used instead of mostly a vertical motion. This motion has been
found to be more efficient, and it also results in less soil loss during the test procedure.
Shaking Period:
A 10-minute shaking is suggested in the procedure. A large sample requires longer shaking than a smaller sample.
Similarly, a sample comprising primarily of fine-grained material would require a longer shaking than a coarse-
grained sample of equal weight.
Breaking of Soil Lumps:
Nodules or lumps of soil must be broken down into their individual particles in order for the grain size analysis to be
valid. This is accomplished in two ways. The first is to break up the lumps using a rubber-tipped pestle in a ceramic
mortar. It has been found that rubber-tipped pestles will not grind or crush them in individual particles while the
lamp ceramic or metal tip pestle will.
The second is to “ wet sieve” the soil. Washing the particles that are retained on the #200 sieve with water
accomplishes two things.
1. It separates those smaller lumps that might not have been broken up with the rubber tipped pistol into the
individual particles.
2. It washes the dust sized particles of the larger particles and through the #200 sieve.
Particles Stuck In Sieve Screen:
Particles that appear to be stuck in the sieve screen should never be forced on through the mesh. there are two
reasons for not doing this.
1. The particles would have passed through the screen on their own had they been smaller than the mesh
opening. Forcing these particles through the screen to be retained on this next sieve would distort the grain
size results.
2. Forcing the particles through the mesh can damage the screen and necessitate its replacement.
Particles caught in a screen should be removed by brushing them with the proper sieve brush (wire- bristled brush for
coarse screens and a hair brush for fine screens). Brushing should be done from the underside of the screen in order
that the particles can be brushed out of the screen in the direction from which it entered the screen opening. Stubborn
particles that cannot be removed by brushing should be left in place rather than being forced out.
Number of Sieves:
The number or sizes of sieves used in the nest depends on the type of soil and the distribution of the particle sizes.
(generally sieve #4, 10, 40, 100, 200 are used for classifying the soil)
Particle Size Distribution Curve:
Information obtained from the green-size analysis is presented in the form of a curve, on a semi-logarithmic plot.
The aggregate weight, as a percentage of the total weight, of all grams smaller than any given diameter (percentage
finer) is plotted on the ordinate using an arithmetic scale, while the size of the soil particles, in millimeters, is plotted
on the abscissa which uses a logarithmic scale.
the semi-log-arithmetic paper is used because of the following reasons:
1. A typical fine- grained soil mass may have particles ranging from 2.00mm or larger to at least 0.074mm ( 200
sieve) which would require a very large scale to give the same weight and readings precision to all the sizes ,
if plotted on an arithmetic scale.
2. the grain sizes are plotted on a logarithmic scale in order to compare soils and to visualize more easily the
distribution of the grain sizes.
3. Particle size is represented on a logarithmic scale so that the two soils having the same degree of uniformity
are represented by curves of the same shape regardless of their position on the soil particle size distribution
plot.
Well Graded Soil:
A soil is said to be well-graded when it has good representation of particles of all sizes.
Poorly Graded Soil:
A soil is said to be poorly graded if it has an excess of certain particles and deficiency of others, or if it has most of
the particles of about the same size; in the latter case it is known as a uniformly graded soil.
Gap Graded Soil:
A soil is said to be gap-graded if particles of both large and small sizes are present but with a relatively low

proportion of particles of intermediate size.

D10, D30, D60:

From the grain-size distribution curve, grain sizes such as D 10, D30, D60 can be obtained. The D refers to the grain
size, and the subscript (10, 30, 60) denotes the percent which is smaller i.e.
D10: Diameter at 10% passing( also called effective size).
D30: Grain diameter at 30% passing.
D60: grain diameter at 60% passing.

Coefficient of Uniformity Cu:

It expresses the ratio of the diameter of the particle size at 60% two the diameter of the particle size at 10% finer by
weight on the grain size distribution curve
Cu=D60/D10

Coefficient of Curvature Cc:

It represents the shape of the particle size distribution curve.
Cc=(D30)2/(D60)(D10)
For a Cc value of about 1 the soil is considered well graded. For a Cc value of much less or much more than one the
soil is considered poorly graded.
For a soil to be well graded the following must be satisfied.:
1 ≤ Cc ≤ 3
Cu ≥4 for gravels
Cu ≥6 for sands
If the soil fails one or both of these conditions, it will be termed as poorly graded.

Reference:
ASTM D422-63
Apparatus:
1. Set of sieves
2. Mechanical soil pulveriser
3. Balance sensitive to 0.1 grams
4. Mechanical sieve shaker
Procedure:
1. Take 500g of soil sample which is already pulverized or washed by placing it on sieve No.200 and then oven
dried.
2. Arrange a nest of sieves including sieves 3/4, 1/2, 3/8 in and #4,10,40,100,200 and pan.
3. Then place the stack of sieves on a mechanical sieve shaker and shake for 5 to 10 minutes. Note that if the
entire stack of sieves does not fit into the shaker, perform a hand shaking operation until the top few sieves
can be removed from the stack and then place the remainder of the stack in the mechanical shaker.
4. Remove the nest of sieves from the shaker and obtain the weight of material retained on each sieve. Sum
these weights and compare with the original weight of the soil sample. A loss of more than 2% by weight of
the residual weight is considered unsatisfactory and the test should be repeated.
5. Compute the percentage retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each sieve by the original
sample weight.
6. Compute the percentage passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100% and subtracting the cumulative
percent retained for that sieve.

Calculations:
 Percentage retained (on any sieve)
%retained=weight of soil retained on the sieve/total weight of soil sample
 Percent passing or percent finer
% passing=100- (cumulative percent retained)
Reporting of the results: Normally the results of each grain size analysis of soil are reported in the form of a grain
size distribution curve or the analysis may be reported in Tabular form giving percentages passing through various
sizes, as shown below.

Sieve Sieve Opening Wt. of soil Wt. retained Cumulative Percent Percent
No. Size retained (g) (%) retained (%) Passing (%)

Particle Size Distribution Curve

100
90
80
70
%sge Passing

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
100 10 1 0.1 0.01
Particle Size mm
Hydrometer Analysis
Objective:
To obtain the approximate grain size distribution of soils whose appreciable quantity passes #200 sieve.

Related Theory:
Hydrometer test is based on the principle that the grains of different sizes fall through a liquid at different velocities.
The essence of this concept is that a sphere falling through a liquid will reach a terminal velocity expressed by
Stokes’ Law:
2 γ −γ D 2
V= s w
9η ( ) 2
V=velocity of fall of sphere - cm/sec
𝛾𝑠=unit weight of soil solid - g/cu-cm
𝛾𝑤=unit weight of water - g/cu-cm
𝜂=absolute viscosity of fluid – dyne-sec/sq. cm
D=diameter of sphere - cm
This method is applicable to soil particles larger than 0.0002mm/0.2 𝜇m and smaller than 0.075mm. This is since
larger grains cause excessive fluid turbulence and very small grains are subject to Brownian movement (subject to
particle forces of attraction and repulsion).
The above equation can be written as
18 ηv
D=
γ s −γ w
The accuracy of using this equation to determine soil particle sizes is subject to how well some assumptions made to
permit using Stokes equation actually apply to the test conditions. Some of these assumptions are:
1. Stokes equation was developed using a sphere , whereas most silt and, particularly, clay particles alright platy
shaped.
2. Stokes equation was developed using only a single sphere, but a great many particles are involved in even
sample as small as 50 grams of soil.
3. The specific gravity of Stokes fear was accurately known but the specific gravity of the soil solids is actually
an average value of all the minerals comprising the particular soil being tested.
4. Clay particles have a tightly bound layer of adsorbed water that remains with the particle as it falls through
the water column in the hydrometer bottle. Thus a great resisting surface than that of the clay particle alone is
in effect as the particle falls through the suspension.

Use of Hydrometer:
To obtin the velocity of fall of the particles, the hydrometer is used. This is a device originally developed to read the
specific gravity of a solution, but by altering the scale, it can be made to read other values.
The hydrometer is usually a type 152 H (ASTM Designation) and is calibrated to read between 50-60g of soil of Gs
= 2.65 in a 1000cm3 suspension at 20ᵒC. The reading is, of course, directly related to the specific gravity of the
solution. The particular Hydrometer calibration is a considerable aid in the computations. For this reason, this type of
hydrometer is widely used although other hydrometers are also available.

Pretreatment of Soil:
By mixing a given quantity of soil With water and a small amount of a dispersing agent to form 1000 cm 3 quantity of
solution, a solution with a specific gravity larger than one is obtained( since the unit weight of water is one at 4 ᵒC).
The dispersing (also called De-flocculating) agent is added to neutralize the charges on the smaller soil grains, which
often have plus or minus charges. With proper orientation, these charged soil grains will be attracted to each other
with sufficient force to remain stuck together, does creating larger particles . According to Stokes law commodis
larger particles will settle faster through the fluid than the smaller particles.
Corrections:
Meniscus correction:
The soil water suspension is opaque, so we are unable to read the lower meniscus. As such, we have to apply the
meniscus correction. This is the difference between the upper meniscus and the lower meniscus on the hydrometer
scale. It is always positive.

Zero correction:
Mixing the dispersing agent in water will raise the specific gravity and give a larger hydrometer reading than that of
pure water. This reading will be our zero correction.

Temperature correction:
With change in temperature the density of liquid varies, so we have to apply temperature correction and it can be
either positive or negative.

Specific gravity correction:

If the specific gravity of soil is not equal to 2.65 the we have to apply the correction and we have to multiply a factor
alpha.
Gs∗1.65
a=
(Gs−1 )∗2.65
Corrected hydrometer reading (Rc):
Rc=Ractual – Zero correction + 𝐶𝑡

Percent finer:
Percent finer can be calculated as
Rc
Percent finer = ( *a) *100
Ws
Here Rc is the corrected hydrometer reading and Ws is the weight of soil used.

Computation of diameter:
L
D= K √ mm
t
Here L is in cm and t is in minutes.

Equipment:
1. Sedimentation cylinder (1000 cubic cm) Also termed as hydrometer jar
2. Hydrometer [152H]
3. Soil dispersion device [malt mixer]
4. Dispersion agent (which we have used is sodium oxalate)
5. Thermometer
6. Stopwatch
7. Weighing balance accurate to 0.01g

Procedure:
1. Take exactly 50 grams of oven-dry well pulverized soil passing #200 sieve and mix with 125cm3 of 4%
concentration sodium oxalate solution.
2. Allow the mixture to stand for about one hour (ASTM suggests about 16 hours for clayey soils). Transfer the
mixture to the malt mixer cup and add tap water until the cup is two thirds full. Mix for 3 to 10 minutes.
3. Transfer all the contents of the malt mixer cup to the sedimentation cylinder, being careful not to lose any
material. Add tap water to fill the cylinder to the 1000cm3 mark.
 4. Prepare a control jar of tap water with 125cm3 of 4% concentration sodium oxalate solution.
5. Take a No. 12 rubber stopper and cap the cylinder of soil suspension. Carefully agitate for 1 minute.
6. Set the jar down, while starting a stopwatch, remove the stopper, immediately insert the hydrometer and take
reading at elapsed times of 1, 2, 3 and 4 min. Also take temperature reading.
7. Place the hydrometer in the control jar to check zero error. The temperature of the control jar should be
within 1ᵒC of the soil suspension.
8. Take a meniscus reading.
9. Replace the No. 12 stopper and reagitate the suspension. Take another series of readings at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min
of elapsed time.
10. Repeat as necessary until the two sets of the readings agree within 1 unit.
11. When agreement is reached between a pair of readings, once more shake the mixture and take hydrometer
readings at elapsed time of 1, 2, 3, and 4 mins, and compare it with the previously accepted pair of 4 min
readings.
12. If good agreement is obtained, use the previously averaged pair of readings as the first four readings and
collect additional hydrometer and temperature readings at elapsed time of 8, 15, and 30 minutes, followed by
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 96 hours.
13. Terminate the test prior to 96 hours of elapsed time if the hydrometer readings drop to the level of the zero
error. The hydrometer must be stored in the control jar during the intervals between readings being taken at
the specified times.
Note:
1. It is Usual to leave the hydrometer in the soil suspension for the first 4 min, remove it , and reinsert it each
time for all the additional readings. Little error will be caused if the hydrometer is left in the jar for all four of
the first readings as the compensating errors of fluid disturbance will tend to offset errors due to the soil
precipitating on the hydrometer bulb.
2. When placing the hydro meter in the soil suspension 4 reading proceed slowly enough that it takes about 10
seconds for the operation( the insertion time should not exceed approximately 5 to 6 second).
3. Consistent readings indicate a uniform mixture of soil water suspension.
4. Time beyond the first 2 hr of readings approximate and are set to give a reasonable spread of plotted points
for the percentage finer versus grain size curve.

Temperature Correction factor for

Correction Factor Ct unit weight of soils

Temp ᵒC Ct
Specific Correction
Gravity factor "a"
15 -1.10
16 -0.90
17 -0.70 2.85 0.96
18 -0.50 2.80 0.97
19 -0.30 2.75 0.98
20 0.00 2.70 0.99
21 0.20 2.65 1.00
22 0.40 2.60 1.01
23 0.70 2.55 1.02
24 1.00 2.50 1.04
25 1.20
26 1.65
27 2.00
28 2.50
29 3.05
30 3.80
 Values of K for several unit weights of soil solids and temperature combinations
Unit weights of soil solids
Temp ᵒC 2.50 2.55 2.60 2.65 2.70 2.75 2.80 2.85
16 0.0151 0.0148 0.0146 0.0144 0.0141 0.0139 0.0137 0.0136
17 0.0149 0.0146 0.0144 0.0142 0.0140 0.0138 0.0136 0.0134
18 0.0148 0.0144 0.0142 0.0140 0.0138 0.0136 0.0134 0.0132
19 0.0145 0.0143 0.0140 0.0138 0.0136 0.0134 0.0132 131.0000
20 0.0143 0.0141 0.0139 0.0137 0.0134 0.0133 0.0131 0.0129
21 0.0141 0.0139 0.0137 0.0135 0.0133 0.0131 0.0129 0.0127
22 0.0140 0.0137 0.0135 0.0133 0.0131 0.0129 0.0128 0.0126
23 0.0138 0.0136 0.0134 0.0132 0.0130 0.0128 0.0126 0.0124
24 0.0137 0.0134 0.0132 0.0130 0.0128 0.0126 0.0125 0.0123
25 0.0135 0.0133 0.0131 0.0129 0.0127 0.0125 0.0123 0.0122
26 0.0133 0.0133 0.0129 0.0127 0.0125 0.0124 0.0122 0.0120
27 0.0132 0.0130 0.0128 0.0126 0.0124 0.0122 0.0120 0.0119
28 0.0130 0.0128 0.0126 0.0124 0.0123 0.0121 0.0119 0.0117
29 0.0129 0.0127 0.0125 0.0123 0.0121 0.0120 0.0118 0.0116
30 0.0128 0.0126 0.0124 0.0122 0.0120 0.0118 0.0117 0.0115

Values of L (effective depth) for use in stoke's formula for dimaters of Particles for
ASTM Soil Hydrometer 152H
Original Original
Hydrometer Hydrometer Original
Effective Effective Effectiv
Reading Reading Hydrometer
Depth L Depth L e Depth
(corrected for (corrected for Reading
(cm) (cm) L (cm)
meniscus meniscus (corrected for
only) only) meniscus only)
0 16.3 21 12.9 42 9.4
1 16.1 22 12.7 43 9.2
2 16.0 23 12.5 44 9.1
3 15.8 24 12.4 45 8.9
4 15.6 25 12.2 46 8.8
5 15.5 26 12.0 47 8.6
6 15.3 27 11.9 48 8.4
7 15.2 28 11.7 49 8.3
8 12.0 29 11.5 50 8.1
9 14.8 30 11.4 51 7.9
10 14.7 31 11.2 52 7.8
11 14.5 32 11.1 53 7.6
12 14.3 33 10.9 54 7.4
13 14.2 34 10.7 55 7.3
14 14.0 35 10.5 56 7.1
15 13.8 36 10.4 57 7.0
16 13.7 37 10.2 58 6.8
17 13.5 38 10.1 59 6.6
18 13.3 39 9.9 60 6.5
19 13.2 40 9.7
20 13.0 41 9.6
 Observations and Calculations
Hydrometer No.: _________ Gs of solids: ___________ a: ____________
Dispersing agent: _____________ Amount: _________ Wt. of soil (g) Ws: ______________
Zero Correction: _____________ Meniscus correction: ____________
Elapsed Actual Corr Hyd.
Time Hyd. Reading Hyd. Corr
(min) Temperature Reading (Rc) % finer meniscus L L/t K D (mm)
1
2
3
4
8
15
30
60

Particle Size Distribution Curve

100
90
80
70
%sge Passing

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
100 10 1 0.1 0.01
Particle Size mm