Mindanao State University – Main Campus

Civil Engineering Department

CVE131 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1

Lecture 4
Mechanical Analysis of Soil

Engr. Nhour R. Dibangkitun

Instructor
Mechanical Analysis
(or Grain-Size Analysis) is the
determination of the size range of particles
present in a soil, expressed as a percentage
of the total dry weight.
Two methods generally are used to find the
particle size distribution of soil:

(1) Sieve Analysis - for particle sizes larger

than 0.075 mm in diameter (Coarse grained
Soils)

(2) Hydrometer Analysis - for particle sizes

smaller than 0.075 mm in diameter (Fine
grained Soils).
 Sieve Analysis
(Grain Size Analysis for coarse grained soil)

Sieve analysis consists of shaking the soil

sample through a set of sieves that have
progressively smaller openings. The mesh
in each sieve is a square grid. Each sieve is
labelled with a number and a the size of
the grid.

U.S. standard sieve numbers and the sizes

of openings are given in next table.
US Standard Sieve Sizes
Sieve Shaker
 Procedure in Conducting Sieve Analysis
(Grain Size Analysis for coarse-grained soil)
1. Oven-dry the soil and then break all lumps into small particles.
2. The soil then is shaken through a stack of sieves with openings of
decreasing size from top to bottom.
3. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve (i.e., M1, M2, · · ·
Mn) and in the pan (i.e., Mp).
4. Determine the total mass of the soil: M1+M2+· · ·+Mi+· · ·+Mn+Mp=σ M
5. Determine the cumulative mass of soil retained above each sieve. For
the ith sieve, it is M1+M2+· · ·+Mi
6. The mass of soil passing the ith sieve is σ M - (M1+M2+· · ·+Mi)
7. The percent of soil passing the ith sieve (or percent finer) is
𝑀𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔
%𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑥 100%
σM
 Hydrometer Analysis
(Grain Size Analysis for fine grained soil)

Hydrometer analysis is based on the principle of sedimentation

of soil grains in water. When a soil specimen is dispersed in
water, the particles settle at different velocities, depending on
their shape, size, weight, and the viscosity of the water. For
simplicity, it is assumed that all the soil particles are spheres, and
that the velocity of soil particles can be expressed by Stokes’ law.
Procedure in Conducting Hydrometer Analysis
(Grain Size Analysis for fine-grained soil)

1. Oven-dried soil sample passing sieve No. 200 is

required. (50g or 100g)
2. Get a sedimentation cylinder (1000mL, 18 in. high
and (2.5 in.) and a Sodium hexametaphosphate
generally (as the dispersing agent).
3. Increase the volume of the dispersed soil
suspension to 1000 mL by adding distilled water.
4. Place the hydrometer for reading.

Figure 2.23 shows an ASTM 152H type of hydrometer.

When a hydrometer is placed in the soil suspension at
a time t, measured from the start of sedimentation it
measures the specific gravity in the vicinity of its bulb
at a depth L (Figure 2.24). The specific gravity is a
function of the amount of soil particles present per unit
volume of suspension at that depth. Also, at a time t,
the soil particles in suspension at a depth L will have a
diameter smaller than D. The larger particles would
have settled beyond the zone of measurement.

Hydrometers are designed to give the amount of soil,

in grams, that is still in suspension. They are calibrated
for soils that have a specific gravity, Gs, of 2.65; for
soils of other specific gravity, a correction must be
made.
By knowing the amount of soil in suspension, L, and t,
we can calculate the percentage of soil by weight finer
than a given diameter. Note that L is the depth
measured from the surface of the water to the center
of gravity of the hydrometer bulb at which the density
of the suspension is measured. The value of L will
change with time t. Hydrometer analysis is effective for
separating soil fractions down to a size of about 0.5
μmm. The value of L (cm) for the ASTM 152H
hydrometer can be given by the expression
 Hydrometer Analysis Correction
1. Meniscus correction – Since the suspension is opaque, the observations
are taken at the top of meniscus. The meniscus correction is equal to the
reading between the top of the meniscus and the level of the liquid. As the
marking on the stem increases downward, the correction is positive and is a
constant for a given hydrometer. The meniscus correction is about 0.5 to 1.0
g/L for most 152 H hydrometer. The correction hydrometer reading for
meniscus is:
R = Ra + meniscus correction
Where: Ra = the actual reading above meniscus.
 Hydrometer Analysis
Correction
2. Temperature correction – The hydrometer
is calibrated at 20°C. If the temperature of
the suspension is different from 20°C, a
temperature correction (CT) is required for
hydrometer reading. The temperature
correction is obtained from the next table.
 Hydrometer Analysis Correction
3. Dispersion agent correction – Addition of the dispersing agent to the
soil specimen causes increasing in the specific gravity of the suspension. The
effect of water impurities and the dispersing agent on hydrometer readings
can be obtained by using a control jar from the same source and with the
same quantity of dispersing agent (125 cm3) as used in the soil-water
suspension to obtain "zero correction".
 Hydrometer Reading
For determination of L, use 𝑅 = 𝑅𝑎 + 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Then solve for D. 𝐿 = 16.29 − 0.164𝑅
(or see table)

For determining the percent finer

(percent passing), use

𝑅𝑐 = 𝑅𝑎 − 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 + 𝐶𝑇

Then,

𝑅𝑐 (𝑎)
%𝑃 = 𝑊𝑠
𝑥100
Particle-Size Distribution Curve
Soil Particle-Size Classification
 Particle-Size Distribution Curve
A particle-size distribution curve can be used to determine the following
four parameters for a given soil:

1. Effective size (D10): This parameter is the diameter in the particle-

size distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer. The effective size
of a granular soil is a good measure to estimate the hydraulic
conductivity and drainage through soil.
2. Uniformity coefficient (Cu): This parameter is defined as
where D60 diameter corresponding to 60% finer.

3. Coefficient of gradation (Cc):

This parameter is defined as
 Particle-Size Distribution Curve
4. Sorting coefficient (S0):
This parameter is another
measure of uniformity
and is generally
encountered in geologic
works and expressed as

The sorting coefficient is not

frequently used as a
parameter by geotechnical
engineers.
Different types of particle-size distribution curves
Sample Problem 1
Sample Problem 1
Sample Problem 1
Sample Problem 2
Sample Problem 2
Sample Problem 2
 a) Determine the percent finer than
each sieve and plot a grain-size
distribution curve.
b) Determine D10, D30, and D60
from the grain-size distribution
Assignment

curve.
c) Calculate the uniformity
coefficient, Cu.
d) Calculate the coefficient of
gradation, Cc.

e) Determine the percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay

according to the AASHTO and USCS system.
 End of Lecture 4

Thank You!