Grain Size Analysis - Mechanical Method

SAINT JOSEPH COLLGE
Maasin City
Name:________________________________________________Course & YR_______________

Date Performed:______________ Date Due: _________________
CE 12 Lab
SOIL MECHANICS
Expt. No. 3
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS – MECHANICAL METHOD
OBJECTIVE: To introduce to the students the method of making a mechanical grain-size analysis of
soil and presenting the resulting data.
EQUIPMENT: Set of sieves sample divider

Rubber mallet weighing scale accurate to 0.1 g
DISCUSSION:
Grain size analysis is universally used in the engineering classification of soils.

Part of the suitability criteria of soils for roads, airfield, dam and other embankment
construction is the grain size analysis. Information from the grain-size analysis can be
used to predict the soil-water movement as well as the susceptibility to frost action.
The grain-size analysis is an attempt to determine the relative proportions of the

different grain sizes which make up a given soil mass. The analysis can only bracket the
range of sizes. It cannot determine the exact size of the individual particles. All soil
classification uses sieve number 200 as a dividing point; classifications are in terms of
the percentage passing or retained in sieve no. 200.
The sieving process does not provide information on the shape of the soil grains. It
only yields information on grains which can pas a given opening with proper
orientation. The result of grain-size distribution curve is presented in a form of a curve
plotted in a semi-logarithmic paper. It is evident that sieve analysis is just an
approximate method due to some reasons such as: (a) the physical limitations in
obtaining representative sample, (b) the presence of the soil lumps, (c) the practical
limitations of using sieve mesh openings for irregular-shaped particles, and (d) the limit
on the number of sieves used in the “stack” for the analysis. Control sieves are sieve no.
4, sieve no. 100 and no. 200 A no. 200 sieve should be used as a bottom sieve for fine-
grained soil and no. 100 should be the bottom sieve for concrete sand.
From the grain-size distribution curve the following can be determined: (a) the
effective size D10 (b) D60 and D30 needed in computing the soil constants – Cu and Cc-
soil grading ( gap graded, well graded or poorly graded).
An indication of the spread of grain sizes is given by the coefficient of uniformity

Cu defined as
Cu = D60 / D10
A large value of Cu indicates that the D 60 and D10 sizes differ appreciably.
The coefficient of concavity Cc = D 230 / (D10 D60)

Values of Cc, different from 1.0 indicates grain sizes missing between the D 60 and
D10 sizes. The values of these soil constants are used in the classification of the soil
For soils where more than 10 to 12 percent passes the No. 200 sieve, a hydrometer
analysis must be performed.
PROCEDURE:
1. Obtain a representative sample of soil from the bag of rock material obtained by
sampling.
2. Pulverize the representative sample until no more soil lump is present.
3. Get at least 500 g of a representative sample to be used for the sieve analysis.
4. Determine the empty weight of each sieve included in the stack of sieves including
the pan and the cover.
5. Arrange the sieves from the largest opening down to the smallest opening.
6. Place the soil sample on the top most sieve then cover.
7. Place the stack of sieve in the mechanical shaker and sieve for 5 to 10 minutes. If
sieving is done manually, sieve the sample for at least 15 minutes. Apply shaking in
different directions.
8. Remove the stack of sieves from the shaker and determine the weight of each sieve
with the soil retained.
9. Determine the soil retained in each sieve.
10. Sum up the soil retained in all the sieves. A loss of more than 2 % of the soil sample
is considered unsatisfactory, therefore the experiment must be repeated.
11. Compute the percentage of soil retained in each sieve by dividing the soil retained in
each sieve by the total weight of sample used then multiple by 100%.
12. Compute the accumulated percentage retained in each sieve.
13. Compute the percentage finer or percent passing in each sieve by subtracting the
accumulated percentage retained from 100.
14. Plot the results in a semi-logarithmic scale.
15. If less than 12% passes the no. 200 sieve, compute Cu and Cc.
16. If more than 12 passes the no. 200 sieve perform the Hydrometer test so that a
complete soil analysis can be obtained.
DATA & RESULTS:
SIEVE NO DIAMETER WT.RETAINED % RETAINED % PASSING

4
10
20
40
60
100
200
Pan
TOTAL =
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:
1. Is there a loss or gain of soil sample? How do you account for such loss or gain?
2. Why is Cu and Cc computed only if less the 12 % passes the No. 200 sieve?.
3. Give 3 uses of the grain size distribution curve.
ANSWERS:
PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CURVE:
CONCLUSION:
Checked by: ______________

Date:____________________

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SAINT JOSEPH COLLGE

Name:__________________________________Course & YR_

EQUIPMENT: Set of sieves sample divider

Grain size analysis is universally used in the engineering classification of soils.

The grain-size analysis is an attempt to determine the relative proportions of the

An indication of the spread of grain sizes is given by the coefficient of uniformity

The coefficient of concavity Cc = D 230 / (D10 D60)

DATA & RESULTS:

SIEVE NO DIAMETER WT.RETAINED % RETAINED % PASSING

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CURVE:

Checked by: ______________

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