Lab. Report NO.

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS

DEFINITION

Grain size analysis is the determination of the size grain of particles

present in a soil. It is expressed as a percentage of the total dry weight.

Two methods are generally used to find particle size distribution of soil:

(1) Sieve analysis. (2) Hydrometer analysis.

INTRODUCTION

 The sieve analysis is generally applied to the soil fraction larger than 75 μm

(retaining on the No. 200 Sieve). Grains smaller than 75 μm (0.075 mm) are

sorted by using sedimentation process (hydrometer analysis).

The basic principles for sieve analysis and hydrometer analysis are

described in the following two sections.

SECTION ONE

SIEVE ANALYSIS

DEFINITION

Sieve analysis consists of shaking the soil sample through a set of sieves
that have progressively smaller openings.

INTRODUCTION

 Fortunately, not all soils contain the full range of particle sizes so the test
can be simplified. Soils that are non-cohesive may only require dry sieving.
It is usually considered that the sedimentation procedure is not necessary
if the soil contains less than 10% fines.

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 Soils may be divided on the basis of their dominating particle size six
arbitrary categories which are called boulders, cobbles, gravel, sand, silt
and clay. Sieve Designation

0.002 0.06 2 60mm

colloids fine medium coarse

CLAY SILT SAND GEAVEL COBBLES

Particle Size 1 5 75 425μm 2.00 4.75 75 mm

No.200 No.40 No.10 No.4

(a) U.S.A. ASTM: American Society for Testing and Material D422

fine medium coarse fine medium coarse fine medium coarse

CLAY SILT SAND GEAVEL COBBLES BOULDERS

Particle Size 2 6 20 60 200 600μm 2 6 20 60 200 mm

(b) BS 1377 :1975 British Standard

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CURVE

 The particle size distribution curve, also known as a gradation curve,

represents the distribution of particles of different sizes in the soil mass.

A coarse soil is described as:

1. Well graded if there is no absence of particles in any size range and if no

intermediate sizes are lacking. The smooth concave upward grading curve
is typical of well-graded soil, which is shown by curve (1) in Fig (a).

2. Poorly graded if:

a. A high proportion of the particles have sizes with narrow limits (a

uniform soil or narrowly graded soil) as shown by curve (2).

b. Particles of both large and small sizes are present but with relatively low
proportion of the particles of intermediate sizes (a gap-graded or step-
graded soil) as shown by curve (3).

 Soil particles have sizes ranging from greater than 200 mm down to less

than 0.002 mm (2 µm).

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Grain Size Distribution

100
90

percent finer (%) 80 Curve 2

70
60
50 Curve 3
40
30
20
Curve 1
10
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Particle size (mm)

Figure (a)

PURPOSES

To determine the grain size distribution curve of a soil sample by which soil
can be classified and their engineering properties assessed.

APPARATUS

The equipment used in sieve analysis includes:

1. A series of standard sieves of square mesh, including cover plate and
bottom pan. Two recommended sieve stacks (having successively smaller
mesh sizes) are as shown in table (1):
Table (1).

Typical Sieve Stack Alternative Sieve Stack

Sieve No. Opening, mm Sieve No. Opening, mm
Lid Lid
4 4.75 4 4.75
10 2 10 2
20 0.85 30 0.6
40 0.425 50 0.3
60 0.25 100 0.15
140 0.106 200 0.075
200 0.075 Pan
Pan

2. Sieve shaker.
3. Balance sensitive to 0.1g.
4. Mortar and pestle.

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5. Brush (for cleaning sieve). 6. Oven.

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PREPARATION OF SOIL SAMPLE

The specimen to be tested should be large enough to be representative of

the soil in the field. The size of representative specimen depends on the
maximum particle size. Table (2) gives some guidelines for selecting the
maximum sample weight.

Table (2).
Maximum Particle Size Minimum Weight of Sample (g)
7.5 cm 6000
5 cm 4000
2.5 cm 2000
1 cm 1000
Finer than No. 4 sieve 200
Finer than No. 10 sieve 100

PROCEDURE
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1. Oven dry the sample, allow it to cool. Then take 500 g (depending on
maximum particle size) of oven dried soil.
2. Select a stack of sieves suitable to the soil being tested. Weigh each sieve
and a pan to be used Wo (make sure each sieve is clean before weighing it,
by using a brush to remove grains stuck in mesh openings).
3. Arrange the stack of sieves so that the largest mesh opening is at the top
and the smallest is at the bottom and attach the pan at the bottom of the
sieve stack.
4. Pour the dry sample on the top sieves. Add a cover plate (to avoid dust and
lost particles while shaking).
5. Place the stack of sieves in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 min.
6. Remove the stack of sieves from the shaker, and measure the weight of
each sieve and the pan with the soil retained on them Wf.
7. Subtract the weights obtained in step (2) from those of step (6) to give the
weight of soil retained on each sieve. Their sum is compared to the initial
sample weight; both weights should be within about 1%. If the difference is
greater than 1%, too much material was lost, and weighing and/or sieving
should be repeated /Wf – Wo/ > 1%.

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CALCULATION
Weight of soil retained
 % Retained on each sieve = *100

 % Finer (passing) than any sieve size = 100 –  Cumulative of %Retained
 The gain-size distribution curve can be used to determine some of the basic
soil parameters such as the:

1. Effective size (D10); is the diameter in the particle size distribution curve
corresponding to 10% finer.

2. Uniformity coefficient (Cu); is a measure of the slope of the curve. It is

D60
defined as Cu =
D10
Where D 60 = diameter corresponding to 60% finer.

( D30 ) 2
3. Coefficient of gradation or concavity (Cc); is defined as Cc =
D60 * D10
Where D 30 = diameter through which 30% of the total soil mass is
passing.
 Find gravel, sand and (silt and clay) percentage according to ASTM.
 Find coarse, medium and fine sand according to ASTM.

DISCUSSION

In addition of the general questions (from Report Writing) answer the

following questions

1. Is it possible to carry out a sieve analysis on a sample of clay? Why?

2. Under what conditions should you use wet sieving instead of dry
sieving?

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SIEVE ANALYSIS DATA SHEET

Name: .........................................

Class: .....................

Group No.: .....................

Total sample mass = .....................

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

(8)
ASTM Sieve Weight Weight of Weight of %Retained Cumulative
%Passing
Sieve opening of sieve sieve + soil soil retained on each of
(finer)
number (mm) (g) retained (g) (g) sieve (g) %Retained
4 4.750

10 2.000

20 0.850

30 0.600

40 0.425

100 0.150

200 0.075
Pan


Signature: .....................

Test date: / /2023