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Experiment-No 1

This document describes a procedure to determine the particle size distribution of a soil sample through sieve analysis. The test involves shaking the dry soil through a series of sieves to separate particles by size. The mass of soil retained on each sieve is measured and used to calculate the percent of the sample in each size fraction. A grain size distribution curve is plotted from the results to classify the soil and determine coefficients related to uniformity.

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Paul Justin Mangat
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91 views5 pages

Experiment-No 1

This document describes a procedure to determine the particle size distribution of a soil sample through sieve analysis. The test involves shaking the dry soil through a series of sieves to separate particles by size. The mass of soil retained on each sieve is measured and used to calculate the percent of the sample in each size fraction. A grain size distribution curve is plotted from the results to classify the soil and determine coefficients related to uniformity.

Uploaded by

Paul Justin Mangat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Experiment No.

1
PARTICLE-SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS
(Sieve Analysis)

Purpose:
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within
a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser,
larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the distribution of the finer
particles.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

Significance:
The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil. Grain
size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil.

Equipment:
Balance, Set of Sieves, Cleaning brush, Mortar and Pestle or Mechanical Soil Pulverizer.

Test Procedure:
(1) Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the
analysis.

(2) Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.

(3) Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order
of sieve numbers (#4 sieve at top and #200 sieve at bottom). Place the pan below
#200 sieve. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place the cap over
it.

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
(4) Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.

(5) Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight of
each sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the
weight of the bottom pan with its retained fine soil.

Data Analysis:
(1) Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the
empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as the
weight retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses should be
approximately equals the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two
percent is unsatisfactory.

(2) Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each
sieve by the original sample mass.

(3) Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent and
subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.

For example: Total mass = 500 g


Mass retained on No. 4 sieve = 9.7 g

Mass retained on No. 10 sieve = 39.5 g

For the No.4 sieve:


Quantity passing = Total mass - Mass retained
= 500 - 9.7 = 490.3 g
The percent retained is calculated as;
% retained = Mass retained/Total mass
= (9.7/500) X 100 = 1.9 %
From this, the % passing = 100 - 1.9 = 98.1 %

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
For the No. 10 sieve:
Quantity passing = Mass arriving - Mass retained
= 490.3 - 39.5 = 450.8 g
% Retained = (39.5/500) X 100 = 7.9 %
% Passing = 100 - 1.9 - 7.9 = 90.2 %
(Alternatively, use % passing = % Arriving - % Retained
For No. 10 sieve = 98.1 - 7.9 = 90.2 %)

(4) Make a semi-logarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent finer.

(5) Compute Cc and Cu for the soil.

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
PARTICLE-SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS

Sieve Analysis:
Date Tested:
Tested by:
Project Name:
Sample Number:
Visual Classification of Soil:
Weight of Container:
Wt. of Container + Dry Soil:
Wt. of Dry Sample:

Mass of Mass of Soil Cumulative


Sieve Diameter Percent Percent
Empty Sieve + Soil Retained Percent
Number (mm) Retained Passing
Sieve (g) Retained (g) (g) Retained

4 4.75
8 2.36
16 1.18
30 0.60
50 0.30
100 0.150
200 0.075
Pan
Total Weight =

From Grain Size Distribution Curve:


% Gravel = D10 =

% Sand = D30 =

% Fines = D50 =

Cu = Cc =

CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)


LABORATORY EXPERIMENT
CE 141L- GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1(Soil Mechanics)
LABORATORY EXPERIMENT

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