Sieve Analysis Lab Report

1.
0 INTRODUCTION
A sieve analysis is a procedure used (commonly used in civil engineering) to assess the particle
size distribution (also called gradation) of a granular material.
The size distribution is often of critical importance to the way the material performs in use. A
sieve analysis can be performed on any type of non-organic or organic granular materials
including sands, crushed rock, clays, granite, feldspars, coal, soil, a wide range of manufactured
powders, grain and seeds, down to a minimum size depending on the exact method. Being such a
simple technique of particle sizing, it is probably the most common.
1.1 OBJECTIVES
To obtain the grain size distribution curve for a given soil sample
2.0 THEORY
Sieve analysis is a method used to determine the particle size distribution of granular materials. It
involves dividing a sample of dry aggregate of known weight into fractions of the same particle
size by shaking or vibrating through a series of sieves with progressively smaller openings, with
the largest sieve at the top, for a specified time.
Particle size distribution is expressed in terms of the percentage by weight passing the various
sieves. Proper gradation of aggregates is important in producing workable concrete, as it ensures
that a sample of aggregate contains all standard fractions of aggregate in the required proportion,
such that the sample contains minimum voids.
A sample of a well-graded aggregate containing minimum voids will require minimum paste to
fill up the voids in aggregates, leading to an increased economy, higher strength, lower
shrinkage, and greater durability. The sieve analysis procedure by differential sieve weighing is a
tedious and error-prone process, but it is easy to use, requires minimal investment costs, offers
accurate and reproducible results in a comparatively short time, and has the ability to separate
particle size fractions.
3.0 APPARATUS
 Stack of sieves with cover

 Weighing Balance, sensitive to 0.1g
 Mechanical sieve shaker
 Soil sample
4.0 PROCEDURE
 The sieves were cleaned thoroughly to ensure that there were no particles stuck to the pan
 The weight of each sieve and receiving pan were recorded
 The soil sample was weighed and recorded
 The sieves were arranged in order of pore sizes, from the smallest pore size at the bottom
to the largest pore size at the top
 The soil sample was onto the top sieve and the mechanical sieve shaker was switched on
 The shaker was allowed to run for 5mins after which the mass of each sieve and retained
soil were weighed
5.0 RESULTS
Total weight of soil sample = 1.2kg
Weight of soil retained = (Weight of sieve + soil) – (Weight of sieve)
weight of soil retained

% retained on sieve, %W = × 100
Total weight of soil sample
Cumulative % retained, %C = %W1 + %Wn
%finer = 100 - %C
Weight
Weight Weight %
Sieve Opening of soil Cumulative
of sieve of sieve + retained % finer
No. (mm) retained % retained
(kg) soil (kg) on sieve
(kg)
5 5 0.305 0.330 0.025 2.08 2.08 97.92
6 2 0.335 0.485 0.15 12.5 14.58 85.42
7 1 0.255 0.370 0.115 9.58 24.16 75.84
8 0.5 0.250 0.520 0.27 22.5 46.66 53.34
9 0.25 0.245 0.455 0.21 17.5 64.16 35.84
10 0.075 0.245 0.540 0.295 24.58 88.74 11.26
Pan - 0.180 0.270 0.09 7.5 96.24 3.76

1.
A. Mass Distribution
Sieve Size
5 2 1 0.5 0.25 0.075
(mm)
Cumulativ
e% 2.08 14.58 24.16 46.66 64.16 88.74
retained
Graph of Fm vs Partice size

100
90
80
70
60
50 Series2
Fm
40
30
20
10
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Particle size (mm)
B. Volume Distribution
mass distribution
Volume distribution =
Density
Density of dry sand = 1602kg/m3
Sieve Size
5 2 1 0.5 0.25 0.075
(mm)
Cumulativ
e% 0.0013 0.0091 0.015 0.029 0.040 0.055
retained
Graph of Fv vs Partice Size
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.03 Graph of Fv vs Partice Size

Fv
0.02
0.01
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Particle Size (mm)
C. Surface Distribution
2. Arithmetic mean of Fm = 40.06

Arithmetic mean of Fv = 0.025
3. Median of Fm = 35.41
Median of Fv = 0.022
4. Limitations of Sieve Analysis
Assumption of Particle Shape: Sieve analysis assumes particles are round or nearly
round, leading to unreliable results for elongated and flat particles as the reported size
may not accurately represent the actual particle size.
Accuracy of Test Sieves: The accuracy of sieve analysis results depends on the quality
and precision of the test sieves used, which may vary despite standards like ASTM E11
and ISO 3310 for sieve construction.
Limited Range of Particle Sizes: Sieve analysis is most effective for granular materials
within a limited size range and may not be suitable for very fine powders or materials
with a wide range of particle sizes, necessitating alternative sizing techniques like laser
diffraction or sedimentation in such cases.
Time-Consuming Process: Sieve analysis can be labor-intensive and time-consuming,

especially when testing samples with multiple sieves, as each sieve needs individual
agitation and material retention measurement
Resolution Limitation: The number of size fractions obtainable limits the resolution of
sieve analysis, affecting its ability to provide detailed particle size distribution
information
5. The sources of error include
 Loss of particles from soil sample during agitation
 Error due to parallax e.g inaccurate measurement of soil sample
6.0 DISCUSSION
Sieve analysis is one type of mechanical analysis which determines the size range of particles
present in a soil, expressed as a percentage of the total weight or mass. Sieve analysis is the
process of agitating the soil sample through a set of sieves that have progressively smaller
openings. The aim of this experiment was to obtain and compare the mass, volume and surface
distribution of the soil sample, their arithmetic mean and median, which was achieved.
7.0 CONCLUSION
From this experiment we were able to determine and compare the mass, volume and surface
distribution of the soil sample, their arithmetic mean and median.
The sieve analysis does not provide any information on the shape of the sample whether they are
rounded or angular.
From the results, the total mass sample after sieving was found out to be smaller than the total
mass before sieving where 0.045kg of soil is missing. This is probably due to the loss of particles
from soil sample during the agitation process.
The objective to determine the grain size distribution of soil by sieve analysis was achieved.
REFERENCES
Martin Rhodes; Introduction to Particle Technology -2nd Edition; (2008) Pg. 1 – 27
MD Sahadat Hossain; MD Azijul Islam; Faria Fahim Badhon; and Tanvir Imtiaz; Properties and
Behavior of Soil – Online Lab Manual; (2021)

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1.

 Stack of sieves with cover

Total weight of soil sample = 1.2kg

Weight of soil retained = (Weight of sieve + soil) – (Weight of sieve)

weight of soil retained

Cumulative % retained, %C = %W1 + %Wn

5 5 0.305 0.330 0.025 2.08 2.08 97.92

6 2 0.335 0.485 0.15 12.5 14.58 85.42

7 1 0.255 0.370 0.115 9.58 24.16 75.84

8 0.5 0.250 0.520 0.27 22.5 46.66 53.34

9 0.25 0.245 0.455 0.21 17.5 64.16 35.84

10 0.075 0.245 0.540 0.295 24.58 88.74 11.26

Pan - 0.180 0.270 0.09 7.5 96.24 3.76

Graph of Fm vs Partice size

0.03 Graph of Fv vs Partice Size

2. Arithmetic mean of Fm = 40.06

Time-Consuming Process: Sieve analysis can be labor-intensive and time-consuming,

Martin Rhodes; Introduction to Particle Technology -2nd Edition; (2008) Pg. 1 – 27

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