“SIEVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL”

Laboratory Experiment no 1A

Bautista, Jade Carl, Jacob

2020101376 BSCE/3 r d Year
CE161P-2 Geotechnical Engineering 1: Soil Mechanics (Section A76)
School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering
Mapúa University, Intramuros, Manila

Engr. Derwin Daniel C. Bautista

Instructor

Introduction
The way individual sand, silt, and clay granules are combined defines soil structure. When
individual particles are combined, they form bigger particles known as aggregates. Soil particle
aggregation may occur in a variety of ways, resulting in a variety of soil structures. As a result, soil
particles are evaluated in order to maximize the sturdiness of a certain type of soil for use as a material
for building purposes, with appropriateness based on application. Furthermore, particle sizes
assessments are required to confirm that aggregates are stable behave as expected for their intended
usage. The quantity of each aspect in the soil impacts its ability to withstand a given weight.
The experiment is based on sieve analysis, one among two methods for determining the
distribution of particle sizes of soil. A sieve analysis can be used to examine the granular distributions of
soils. A sieve analysis is a method used in building construction to determine the distribution of particle
size of a granular material by passing it through a succession of sieves with increasingly lower mesh sizes
and measuring the quantity of material blocked by each sieve as a proportion of the total mass. That
being stated, the sieve analysis procedure includes a variety of sieve types, which will be demonstrated
and described in the next section of particle size evaluations.
The size distribution of particles is frequently essential to how it functions in usage. Depending
on the specific procedure, any organic or non-organic finer particles, such as sands, crushed rock, clays,
granite, feldspars, coal, soil, a broad range of manufactured powders, grain, as well as seeds, can also be
sieved down to a minimal size. It is likely the most often used particle size process in practice since it is
so easy. Simple handling, low investment expenses, and precise results in a fair length of time
Objectives
The purpose of this experiment is to present a process for quantitatively evaluating the
dispersion of size of particles in soil using conventional sieves.
Scope
This approach offers a way for determining the quantitative variation of size of particles in soil
using standard sieves.
Apparatus
1. Set of sieves (U.S. Standard)

4. Brush

2. Balance, sensitive to 0.1 gram

5. Pans

3. Oven with temperature control

Sample Preparation
 The fraction of soil that passes through the No.4 sieve as specified in must be oven-dried at 105
to 110°C. The oven-dried material is then riffled to yield an appropriate mass fraction. This
should be around 200 g if a significant fraction of the material only passes the 4.75-mm IS Sieve,
or less if the maximum size is less. The fraction must be weighted to 0. 1 percent of its entire
mass and the mass recorded. The riffled and weighed portion should be spread out in the big
tray or bucket and covered with water.
 The soil should next be amended with one gram of sodium hexametaphosphate or either
one gram of sodium hydroxide as well as one gram of sodium carbonate per liter of water
utilized. The mixture should be properly mixed before being set aside to soak.
Procedure
During the sieving process experiment:
1. Take a typical oven-dried sample weighing around 500 grams.
2. If the particles have been lumped or otherwise conglomerated, use the mortar and pestle to
smash the lumps but not the particles.
3. Prepare a test sieve stack. The sieves are piled in ascending order, with the biggest aperture size
on top and the smallest possible at the bottom. To gather samples, a receiver is positioned
beneath each sieve.
4. Determine the precise weight of the sample - Weight (g).
5. Weigh each sieve and pan individually.
 6. Pour the samples from step three onto the top of the sieve stack, close the lid, insert the stack in
the sieve shaker, tighten the clamps, set the timer for 10 to 15 minutes, and turn on the shaker.
7. Stop the sieve shaker and weigh each sieve and residual soil/material.
Calculations
The weight of soil accumulated on each sieve is determined by deducting the mass of the
unfilled sieve from the weight reported after the test. The total masses of retained particles are
combined together and especially in comparison to the beginning mass of the soil samples. A difference
of less than 2% is necessary. The percentage maintained from each sieve is calculated by dividing each
maintained mass by the original mass of the soil sample. Following that, the total percentage passing
through each sieve is computed by deducting from totality the cumulative percentage kept within the
sieve and the ones above it.

1. Cumulative Weight Retained

Calculations are done by using the following formulas:

¿ ∑ of Weight Retained on all Coarser Sieves

2. Cumulative Weight Passing

3. Cumulative Percent Passing

¿ Total Weight Retained−Cumulative Weight Retained

CumulativeWeight Passing
¿ ∗100 %
4. Cumulative Per cent Retained
Total Weight Retained

¿ 100 %−Cumulative Percent Passing

Final Data Table

Cumulative
Weight Weight Weight Percent Percent
Sieve Number
Retained (g) Retained (g) Passing (g) Passing (%) Retained (%)
3
108.76 108.76 391.21 78.25 21.75
8
4 59.78 168.54 331.46 66.29 33.71
10 45.35 213.89 286.11 57.22 42.78
16 69.17 283.06 216.94 43.39 56.61
30 88.27 371.33 128.67 25.73 74.27
50 77.40 448.73 51.27 10.25 89.75
100 41.07 489.80 10.20 2.04 97.96
200 6.49 496.29 3.71 0.74 99.26
PAN 3.71 500 0 0 100
TOTAL 500
Graphs

Analysis
The experiment tries to evaluate the particle distribution about the soil by use of sieve analysis.
Sieve analysis is among the ways being applied in the construction field in terms of assessing the size of
particles maintained from #200 sieves and greater.

In accordance with the Final Data Table data results, the soil sample included a limited quantity
of small particles and otherwise particles smaller than 75 microns. We evaluate at the amount left in the
pan, which is 3.71 grams, to approximate the fine particles. While coarse particles comprise weight
maintained from sieves #3/8 to sieve 16 ultimately led to 56.61% or 216.94 grams. Sieve #3/8 kept the
highest weight by an individual sieve, 108.76 grams, while sieve #200 retained the least, 6.49 grams.
Gravel is defined as soil particles retained at sieve # 4 and bigger, accounting for 43.39% of the total
sample size. The amount of sand in the sample may be estimated by deducting the percentage of clay
soils from the gravel, yielding 55.87%.

Observation
Particle size distribution, sometimes referred as gradation, is the process throughout which
particles are spread across a soil sample. Determining particle size distribution would be a crucial step in
analyzing soil characteristics because it impacts how fluids travel throughout the soil. Fine-grained soil is
defined as passing through into the #200 (0.075mm) sieve while coarse-grained soil is defined as not
passing through the #200 sieve. Particularly coarse-grained particles were evaluated in this experiment
because soil with a diameter greater than #200 sieves was tested. If the soil contains fine particles, the
void ratio will be quite low. As a result, the soil is unlikely to be able to hold an excessive quantity of air
and water, which is a beneficial quality for the soil.
 This experiment employs eight various sieve sizes in accordance with ASTM standards: #3/8, #4,
#8, #10, #16, #30, #50, #100, as well as #200. Sieving can be done manually or mechanically, and the
minimum amount of time for sieving is 10 minutes, although it can take longer if the weight of the
samples collected reaches a constant amount. Depending on its size, soil might be gravel, sand, silt, or
clay.

Application
Gradation is often established for each engineering application. For instance, foundations may
only require coarse aggregates, necessitating an open gradation. Sieve analysis is used to determine the
distribution of particle sizes of a specific soil sample, allowing for easy detection of the mechanical
characteristics of the soil. These mechanical characteristics influence if the intended engineering
structure can be supported by a given soil. It also aids in determining what soil alterations may be made
and the best strategy to attain optimum soil strength.

Conclusion
Therefore, this experiment is performed to assess the proportion of distinct grain sizes in a soil.
Mechanical as well as sieve analysis is performed to identify the distribution of coarser, bigger particles.
The sieve analysis, also referred as the gradation test, analyzes gradation to find design, production
control, and verification criteria compliance. Gradation data may be used to compute, to name a few
applications correlations amongst distinct aggregate particles or aggregate blends, check compliance
with such blends, and forecast trends throughout production using gradation curves graphed Sieve
analysis is a basic and straightforward method for determining particle size distribution. It is particularly
crucial for material analysis since particle size distribution may impact a variety of attributes such as
concrete strength, mixture solubility, and even surface area properties. It is critical to understand if
aggregates are suitable for use in building structures and buildings, and we are going to sieve an amount
of the sand and gravel from coarse to fine pieces, where various sizes will be kept separate, and also
that we will determine whether the sieved aggregates are very well balanced, in which our diagrams
with percentages of each sieve size would then show which include more and less amount. Construction
aggregates must include the following components of various sizes since it will allow our building to be
more robust and long-lasting.

Recommendation
As stated throughout the conclusion, human error has a major impact on the results of the sieve
analysis of soil experiment. When examining a sample from a given location, the organization suggests
performing one or more trials to obtain the most exact and precise results. It is because soil samples
might vary depending on the number of sample collected. Furthermore, the group suggests emphasizing
the following:
 Before weighing, make absolutely sure that weighing balance is tuned to zero.
 Ensure that the soil is thoroughly dry.
 Reduce Instrumental Errors.
 Determine whether any instruments or materials are faulty.
 References

 ASWDC - App Software Website Development Center - Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology.
(n.d.). Sieve analysis of soil, grain size analysis, fine aggregates, lab report, calculations and graph, dry
sieve analysis of soil. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from https://www.civil-engineering-
calculators.com/Soil-Test/Sieve-Analysis-of-Soil-Dry-Method
 Geotechnical Test Method: Test Method and Discussion for the Particle Size Analysis of Soils by
Hydrometer Method (2015). Geotechnical Engineering Bureau. Department of Transportation. State of
New York. GTM-13, Revision 2.

 Principles and Procedures of Sieving Analysis. (n.d.). Agg-Net. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from
https://www.agg-net.com/resources/articles/ancillary-equipment/principles-and-procedures-of-sieving-
analysis

 Sieve Sizes: A Guide to U.S. and Metric Sizes. (n.d.). GlobalGilson.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022,
from https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/sieve-sizes#agg
https://www.geoengineer.org/education/laboratory-testing/step-by-step-guide-for-grain-size-analysis
https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/sieve-sizes#agg
Appendices
Group Preliminary Data Sheet (Scanned)
Preliminary Data Sheet
Sample Computations
Questions and Answers
1. Grain size analysis is regularly utilized in soil categorization. This evaluation is done to estimate
the proportion of different grain sizes in a soil as well as the distribution of coarser larger-sized
particles The data produced from grain size distribution contour is utilized in the creation of
filters for earth dams, as well as to assess the appropriateness of soil for road building, airport,
and other purposes (although permeability tests are much more commonly utilized).

2. Wet sieving analysis is applied to distinguishing fine-grained soil from coarse-grained soil by
washing the soil sample through a 75-micron sieve, whereas dry sieving is utilized for particles
bigger than 75 microns.

3. It will be determined by the soil sample being examined. A smart choice is to make a nest out of
each sieve, with an entrance roughly half the size from the coarser sieve from above. If particles
must always be chopped to a specific nominal size, users should use a sieve that is somewhat
smaller than the required size to achieve a more precise outcome. Considering the standards
allows users to select appropriate test sieve mostly with appropriate diameter and aperture size.

4. The outcomes from dry sieving can really be determined easily using a motorized sieve shaker,
or manual sieving if one is not available. This allows the aggregates to flow through the holes,
identifying their sizes and mechanical characteristics.

5. Coarse sieve sizes comprise sieves having holes bigger than 4.75mm (No. 4) whereas fine sieve
sizes range from 4.75mm (No. 4) to 75m (No. 200). With this experiment, the group employed
Sieve No. 3/8 or 9.5 mm downwards to Sieve No. 200.

6. Whenever ash samples are presented to the laboratory, they should first be dried for twenty-
four hours inside a heating oven with a temperature not surpassing 40°C. Following the 24-hour
period, the ash sample should indeed be sieved for at least one interval down to 63m.

7. Utilization of sieves in soil analysis is limited to soil containing particle sizes that range around 75
mm (3 in.) to 75m (No.200).

8. Soil analysis is not possible during the sieve process. Because clay is a fine-grained form of soil, it
must be analyzed using a hydrometer.

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