SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,

ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND

PHYSICS

CV 311: Geotechnical Engineering

Year 3 – Bachelor in Civil Engineering

Title of Experiment: Grain Size Analysis

Course Coordinator: Thomas Kishore

Name: Shivneel Karan Singh Date Performed: 28 March 2023

Student ID: S11198490 Due Date: 11 March 2023

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

 Experiment 1 – Particle Size Distribution
Introduction
An essential tool for comprehending the mechanical and physical characteristics of soils is grain
size analysis. It is often used in geotechnical engineering and other associated fields and entails
determining the particle size distribution of soil samples. The particle sizes can be determined
using 3 separate methods such as sieve analysis, hydrometer analysis and combination analysis
[1].
Sieve analysis consists of running soil samples through a range of increasingly smaller mesh
sieves. Each sieves retain particles that are measured and noted then the particle size distribution
curve is drawn using the data that were retained on each sieve. The hydrometer analysis uses a
hydrometer to gauge the speed at which soil particles settle in water. Using the sedimentation
rate, the particle sizes are determined. Combination analysis integrates the data of sieve and
hydrometer analysis to achieve a more precise particle size distribution. Grain size analysis can
reveal several important details on soil characteristics like permeability, shear strength,
compressibility and settlement.
Sieve analysis is conducted when there is significant amount of soil that is retained on 0.075mm
openings, the soil is considered as granular. The sieve analysis began in Ancient Egypt [2].
Since 1930, W.S. Tyler has utilized to do test sieve analysis [3]. The process includes filtering a
sample through the series of different openings in sieves, then weighing the amount of material
that is retained on each sieve. The sieve analysis values are written as a percentage of the weight
of material that retained on each sieve to create a particle size distribution curve. The curve gives
crucial details about the materials grading, such as the maximum and lowest particle sizes, as
well as the uniformity coefficient. The sieve analysis is a reasonably quick and affordable
technique that works with a variety of granular materials [4]. Sieve analysis can be utilized to
make concrete mixes and other application that make the most of sand.
Aim
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the particle size distribution of soil sample using
sieve analysis, which can assist to enhance the quality and effectiveness of materials in a variety
of applications.
Materials Used
The materials used in the experiment were:
• Mechanical Sieve Shaker
• Set of different opening of sieves + Pan
• Dishes and tray
• Scale
• Miscellaneous tools

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

Procedure
To begin the experiment, an oven dry soil sample was obtained. The sample had a combination
of particles of various sizes. The mass of the sample was calculated using the differences
technique. A series of sieves with various mesh sizes was organized from top to bottom in
descending order. After that, the soil sample was added to the stack of sieves. A cover was placed
on top of the sieve stack. The stack of sieve was placed into the sieve shaker. After shaking, the
stack of sieves was taken out and the weight was taken for each particular sieve including the
pan. Then the mass retained in each sieve was calculated.
Diagrams/ Set-up

Figure 1: Raw Data that was obtained while conducting the experiment.

Figure 2: The above picture shows a scale that was used to weigh the soil sample and other various apparatus.

Figure 3: Shows the stack of sieves that was used during the experiment to determine the various particle sizes of the
sample.

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

 Figure 4: Shows the soil sample that was used during the experiment.

Figure 5: Shows the mechanical sieve Shaker before the loading of sieves.

Figure 6: Shows after the stack of sieves that is loaded onto mechanical sieve Shaker during the process of being
shaken.

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

Data Sheet
Limiting Mass Retained % Retained in % Finer
Diameter (mm) in each sieve(kg) each sieve
9.5 0.035 4.93 95.07
0.5 0.305 47.89 52.11
0.25 0.3 90.14 9.86
0.2 0.04 95.77 4.23
0.15 0.02 98.59 1.41
0.1 0.005 99.30 0.7
Pan 0.005 100 0
Σ 0.71
The following values were obtained from the graph:
• D60 = 2.93
• D30 = 1.53
• D10 = 0.59
Calculations
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 (𝑘𝑔)
= 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
= 0.510 − 0.475 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟓𝒌𝒈
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒
% 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 = × 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠
0.035
= × 100 = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟑%
0.71
% 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟 = 100 − %𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
= 100 − 4.93 = 𝟗𝟓. 𝟎𝟕%
𝐷60
𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡(𝐶𝑢) =
𝐷10
2.93
= = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟕
0.59
(𝐷30)2
𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒(𝐶𝑐) =
𝐷60 × 𝐷10
(1.53)2
= = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟓
(2.93 × 0.59)

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

Result Sheet

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

Discussion
The experiment highlights the soil sample’s particle size distribution. The graph reveals that
particle size ranges from gravel- fine to sand- fine particles. Using the graph, the following was
data was found out D60 = 2.93, D30 = 1.53 and D10 = 0.59. Those results were than used to
determine the uniformity coefficient (Cu) and the coefficient of curvature (Cc). The Cu and Cc
was calculated to be 4.97 and 1.35 respectively. That indicates that the soil sample is well graded
gravel. The possible drawback could be while conducting the experiment that the sieve sizes
were restricted from 75 microns to 4.75mm. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the outcomes of
this experiment have a number of uses in construction and engineering purposes.

Conclusion
To conclude, sieve analysis is a key method for figuring out the how big or little the particles are
in granular substances. With a uniformity coefficient of 4.97 and coefficient of curvature of 1.35,
the analysis revealed that the soil sample had a well graded particle size distribution. Overall, the
experiment was a success in showing how sieve analysis can be applied to characterize granular
materials. The findings can be help guide future studies on the characteristics and behavior of
granular materials in a variety of applications.

Sources of Error
The precision and accuracy of the results can be impacted by a number of potential causes of
mistake. Firstly, by inconsistent shaking of sieves. Secondly, the variability in mesh size. Lastly,
due to human error. [5]

References

[1 Lab Manual, "USP," [Online]. Available:

] https://elearn.usp.ac.fj/pluginfile.php/194885/mod_resource/content/0/Hardware%20Lab%20Manual%20for%2
0CV%20311-%202023.pdf. [Accessed 28 March 2023].

[2 A. Gatenby, "CSC Scientific Company," 4 August 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.cscscientific.com/csc-

] scientific-blog/sieving-an-ancient-technique-still-widely-
used#:~:text=As%20you%20may%20know%2C%20sieving,Imaging%20and%20other%20advanced%20techn
ologies.. [Accessed 08 March 2023].

[3 R. Brown, "4 Particle Analysis Instruments Used for Testing Aggregate," 12 May 2020. [Online]. Available:
] https://blog.wstyler.com/particle-analysis/particle-analysis-equipment-for-
aggregate#:~:text=This%20is%20why%20sieve%20shakers,a%20reliable%20particle%20analysis%20tool..
[Accessed 09 March 2023].

Shivneel K Singh S11198490

[4 ELCAN Industries , "Methods for Determining Particle Size Analysis," [Online]. Available:
] https://elcanindustries.com/blog_posts/methods-for-determining-particle-size-
analysis/#:~:text=For%20coarse%20and%20granular%20powders,in%20a%20certain%20product%20fraction..
[Accessed 10 March 2023].

[5 F. G. Carpenter, "Methods of Sieve Analysis," Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, vol. 45,
] no. 4, October 1950.

Shivneel K Singh S11198490