MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, DESIGN, ART AND

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

CIV 2201: SIEVE ANALYSIS REPORT

GROUP 23/24

NO
STUDENT NAME REG. NUMBER SIGNATURE
.
1ISIKO BASHIR 21/U/0044
2KAITESI RINNAH NINA 21/U/1599
3NZALA GRACE TREVOR 21/U/0496
4MUSIIME SOLOMON 20/U/19688/PS
5NABATANZI PAULINE BATAKA 21/U/0574
6ANDAMA PATRICK 20/U/16177/PS
7MALIZA TWIKIRIZE 21/U/1177
8ANSELM AGABA 15/U/19581/PS
9OCHERO RICHARD 15/U/20715/PS
10HABASA ALVIN PETER 21/U/04548/PS
11OJOK OSCAR BRIAN 22/U/21082
ABDULLAHI HASSAN
12 21/X/19986/PS
MOHAMED
13 BUSUNGU CYPRIAN 20/U/21377
LABORATORY REPORT
Introduction
The particle size analysis of a soil sample involves determining the percentage by mass of
particles within the different size ranges. The particle size distribution of a coarse soil can be
determined by the method of sieving. Particle sieve analysis can be done either by dry sieving or
wet sieving. In this report; for the laboratory test done, wet sieving was carried out as detailed in
the report.

Wet sieve analysis is a laboratory method used to determine the particle size distribution of
granular materials, such as soil, sand, aggregates. Unlike dry sieve analysis, the wet sieve
method involves the use of water to wash and separate the particles on the sieve, making it
especially useful for materials that are fine, sticky, or cohesive, and cannot be effectively sieved
in dry conditions. The soil sample is then passed through a series of standard test sieves having
successively smaller mesh sizes. The mass of soil retained in each sieve is determined, and the
cumulative percentage by mass passing each sieve is calculated. This report outlines the steps,
equipment, procedures, and analysis techniques involved in performing a wet sieve analysis, as
well as the interpretation of results.

Objective of the test

Sample preparation

Sampling was done by quartering method which involved dividing the bulk sample into four
parts and a sample was picked. One of the quartered samples was used for both sieve analysis
and moisture content. The sample for moisture content was placed in Tin A7 while the one for
sieve analysis was placed in pan, Pit 4. Both were measured when empty and when containing
the soil sample. The tin containing sample for moisture content was placed in the oven.
The soil sample in the pan was washed using a 0.075 mm sieve in order to remove the fines
(clays and silts) within the soil. This was done until the water passing through the soil was clear
indicating that the soil sample was now clean. This was done to ensure more accurate results as
some of the fine particles are usually attached to the coarse particles.

The washed sample was then put in the oven and left there at a temperature of 1050C for
complete drying for 24 hours. The dried sample was then removed and weighed again to obtain
the new weight of the pan and the dry sample. The sample for moisture content was also
removed from the oven and weighed.

Sieving procedure

The dried soil sample was sieved through a stack of sieves in descending order starting from 14
mm at the top to the 0.075 mm at the bottom and then covered, so that no sample escapes. Each
of the sieves had been weighed and their masses recorded. The whole set up was shaken for 10
minutes to ensure proper separation.

The amount of sample retained on each sieves and the pan was weighed and recorded. The total
mass after sieving was determined to ensure it is within 2g of the original mass.

The results were tabulated and the cumulative percentage by mass of the sample passing each of
the sieves was calculated as shown in the table below.

Results

For moisture content

Weight of tin A7, M1 = 89.0g

Weight of tin A7 + moist soil, M2 = 663.7g

Weight of tin A7 + dry soil, M3 = 656.6g

( M 2−M 3 ) ( 663.7−656.6 )
Moisture content, w = x100 = x100 = 1.25%
( M ¿ ¿ 3−M 1 )¿ (656.6−89.0)

For sieving

Weight of pan, PIT 4 = 182.3g

Weight of pan PIT 4 + moist soil = 2988.5g

Weight of pan PIT 4 + dry soil = 1387.1g

Weight of moist soil = 2806.2g

Sieve +
Sieve Mass Cummulative
Sieve Mass Cummulative %
Size Retained Mass
Mass (g) Retained % Retained Passing
(mm) (g) Retained (g)
(g)
14 429.5 448.1 18.6 18.6 1.5 98.5
10 672.4 747.7 75.3 93.9 7.8 92.2
6.3 432.6 594 161.4 255.3 21.2 78.8
5 533.3 605.2 71.9 327.2 27.2 72.8
3.35 404.6 527.3 122.7 449.9 37.4 62.6
2 423.2 545.3 122.1 572 47.5 52.5
1.18 348.7 453.1 104.4 676.4 56.2 43.8
0.6 311.5 478.8 167.3 843.7 70.1 29.9
0.425 292.3 393.3 101 944.7 78.5 21.5
0.3 286.6 363.4 76.8 1021.5 84.8 15.2
0.212 304.1 372.9 68.8 1090.3 90.6 9.4
0.15 265 324.9 59.9 1150.2 95.5 4.5
0.075 404 441.4 37.4 1187.6 98.6 1.4
Pan 322.8 339.1 16.3 1203.9 100 0
Classification of the soil

From the curve,

D60 = 3.1 mm

D30 = 0.6 mm

D10 = 0.22 mm

D60 3.1
Coefficient of uniformity, Cu = = = 14.1
D10 0.22
2 2
D 30 0.6
Coefficient of curvature, Cz = = = 0.53
D60 xD 10 3.1 x 0.22

Percentage of fines

Moist soil with fines = 2806.2g

Ms + Mw = 2806.2g

Ms + 0.0125Ms = 2806.2
Ms = 2771.6g

Mass of fines = 2771.6 – 1204.8 = 1566.8g

1566.8
Percentage fines = x100 = 56.5% (greater than 50%)
2771.6

Conclusion

Since the sample contains more than 50% of fines, according to the USCS classification chart the
soil is fine grained. Further classification of the soil sample can be done after the liquid limit of
the soil has been determined.

References

BS EN 932-1:1999. Tests for general properties of aggregates Part 1: Methods for sampling