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Particle Size Analysis

This document provides instructions for performing a sieve analysis to determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample. The procedure involves sieving the oven-dried soil through a series of sieves, weighing the mass retained on each sieve, and using the results to calculate percentages retained and passing each sieve. Graphs of particle size vs percentage passing are used to determine coefficients like D10, D30, D60 and indices like uniformity coefficient and coefficient of gradation for soil classification.

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Ifiokobong Akpan
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48 views

Particle Size Analysis

This document provides instructions for performing a sieve analysis to determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample. The procedure involves sieving the oven-dried soil through a series of sieves, weighing the mass retained on each sieve, and using the results to calculate percentages retained and passing each sieve. Graphs of particle size vs percentage passing are used to determine coefficients like D10, D30, D60 and indices like uniformity coefficient and coefficient of gradation for soil classification.

Uploaded by

Ifiokobong Akpan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1

Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS


SIEVE ANALYSIS

Application
Grain size distribution analysis is used to classify soils for engineering purposes, and
other geotechnical applications, such as, filter design and other applications
mentioned at the bottom of the manual. ASTM D422 explains about the procedure
of grain size distribution analysis. Grain size distribution is done with sieve analysis
and/or hydrometer analysis. This chapter deals with the sieve analysis only.

Equipment
Sieves (US sieve No. 4, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200)
A bottom pan and cover
Scale capable of measuring to the nearest of 0.01g
Mechanical sieve shaker
Stop watch
Empty bowl
Brush

Procedure
1. Measure weight of an empty bowl.
2. Collect approximately 500 g of a representative oven dry soil specimen, finer
than 4.75 mm.
3. Break the soil samples into individual particles by hand or any other tool such as
mortar and pestle.
4. Pour the soil into the bowl and weigh the mass of soil and bowl.
5. Prepare a stack of sieves, largest size sieve at the top and smallest sieve size
at the bottom. US No. 4 sieve should be at the top and US No. 200 sieve should
be at the bottom. Set the pan below the No. 200 sieve.
6. Pour the soil into the top sieve, and cover it.
7. Put the assembly into a mechanical shaker, tighten all the screws, and turn the
shaker on.
8. Shake the assembly for about 5 minutes.
9. Wait for about 3 minutes, and remove stacks of sieve.
10. Weigh the soil mass that is retained on each sieve and the bottom pan. For this,
empty the bowl and measure its weight. Fill the bowl with the soil retained in
each sieve. Then measure the weight of the bowl and soil. Populate the table 1.
11. Sum up the quantity of soil retained on each sieve and the pan. If the total
weight is less than the initial weight by more than 1%, repeat the procedure.

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008


Instructor: Binod Tiwari, PhD Date: 2/4/2008
2
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

Calculations
1. Calculate the % of soil retained on the ith sieve

Mass Re tained , Wi
Ri = × 100
Total Mass, W

2. Calculate the cumulative % of soil retained on the ith sieve

i =i

∑ Ri = ∑ Rii =1

3. Calculate the % of soil passing through the ith sieve

i =i
% finer = 100 − ∑R
i =1
i

4. Populate the attached table completely using the above equation.


5. Make a graph of particle size in mm (log scale) in X-axis and % finer (in
arithmetic scale) in Y-axis using the graph paper shown in figure 1. You can use
your own “excel spread sheet” or other computer programs to make this graph.
6. Determine D10, D30, and D60 from the graph, which correspond to the particle
size for 10% finer, 30% finer, and 60% finer. Determine the D50, D15, D85, and
D90 also.
7. Calculate uniformity coefficient (Cu) and coefficient of gradation (Cc) using the
following equations.
D60
Cu =
D10
2
D30
Cc =
D60 × D10

Note:
™ D10 is also called effective size and is used to estimate coefficient of permeability.
™ Cu shows whether the soil is well graded or poorly graded.
™ Cc complements Cu to evaluate whether the soil is well graded or poorly graded, or
gap graded. They are used for Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).
™ D90, D15 and D85 are used to design filters. D50 is used in liquefaction analysis.

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008


Instructor: Binod Tiwari, PhD Date: 2/4/2008
3
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

Particle Size Analysis Procedure

Tested by: Tested Date:

Lab Partners/Organizations:

Client: CSUF CEED Project: EGCE 324 L

Boring No.: N/A Recovery Date:

Soil description:

Sieve shaking method/duration:

Total sample mass before sieving (Wtotal):

Total sample mass after sieving (Wtotal’):

% soil loss during sieving:

Table 1 Lab measurement data for particles size analysis


Sieve Mass of Soil Retained % of Mass Retained on Cumulative % % Finer
Sieve Retained,
Opening on Each Sieve, Wi Each Sieve
No.
(mm) (g) Ri ∑R i 100- ∑R i

10

20

50

100

200

Pan

∑
W − Wtotal
'

% Loss during sieving = total × 100


Wtotal

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008


Instructor: Binod Tiwari, PhD Date: 2/4/2008
4
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department

Figure 1 Gradation sheet to plot the grain size distribution curve

EGCE 324L (Soil Mechanics Laboratory) Spring 2008


Instructor: Binod Tiwari, PhD Date: 2/4/2008

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