FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 4)

TITLE LAB 3 (A) Particle Size Distribution (PSD) – Wet Sieving

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are guided and
given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the students to solve using
the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly introduced and inculcate
independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder task of open ended
laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of wet sieving tests to determine the
particle size distribution of fine-grained soil.

1.2 Objective
This test is performed to determine the particle size distribution in an essentially cohesionless soil,
down to the fine sand size.
PREAMBLE
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. conduct the particle size distribution (psd) – wet sieving
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

A basic element of the soil classification system is by determining the particle size of the soil. The
distribution of the particle sizes larger than 0.0075 mm is determine by sieving, while smaller than
0.0075 mm is determine by sedimentation process (hydrometer analysis). Below is the list of the
particle size from largest to smaller:

• Boulders : rocks that have an average diameter greater than 300 mm.
• Cobbles : rocks that are smaller than 300 mm and retained on the 75 mm.
• Gravel size particle : rock fragment or soil particles that will pass a 75 mm sieve and be
retained on a 4.75 mm.

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG24

  Sand size particle : soil particle that will pass a 4.75 mm sieve and be retained on a 0.075
mm.
 Silt size particle : fine soil particles that pass the 0.0075 mm sieve and are larger than
0.002 mm.
 Clay size particles : fine soil particles that are smaller than 0.002 mm.

Two method of sieving are specified:

i) Wet sieving is the definition method applicable to essentially cohesionless soils.

ii) Dry sieving is suitable only for soil containing insignificant quantities of silt and clay.

The procedure given involves preparation of the sample by wet sieving to remove silt and clay-sized
particles, which are rejected, followed by dry sieving of the remaining coarser material.

Wet sieving is usually performed with one of two purposes. Either it is performed to determine a
fraction retained on a sieve or sieves, or it is a method of sample preparation that allows a later particle
size analysis to be performed more easily or accurately. The procedures are often similar, but the one
you choose should be based on your end goal.

3.1 Apparatus

i. Weighing Balance
ii. Set of sieves (20 mm & 0.063 mm)
iii. Cleaning brush & a scoop
iv. Mechanical sieve shaker (optional)
v. Lid and receiver (pan)
vi. Drying Oven
vii. Large plastic container (60-80l)
viii. Sodium hexametaphosphate

WAYS AND 3.2 Procedures & Data Acquisition

MEANS
1. Wet sieving is carried out to remove fine-grained particles and to determine the combined
clay/silt fraction percentage
2. A sub sample is first oven dried and sieved to separate the coarsest particle (>20 mm).
3. The sub sample is then immersed in water containing dispersing agent of sodium
hexametaphosphate of about 2 g/litre solution and is allowed to stand before being washed away
(store it in large container) in a 63μm mesh sieve.
4. The slurry that pass on 63 μm mesh sieve and allow to settle for 1 week or until all fine particle
settle at the bottom of the container.
5. The wet sample (soil sediment) must be oven dried for hydrometer test sample preparation if
any.

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG24

 6. The retained fraction is again oven dried and passed into a nest of sieves(dry sieving, LAB 3B) if
any.
7. The cumulative percentage passing is calculated and the combined clay/silt fraction is determined
from the weight difference expressed as a percentage of the total sub sample from hydrometer
test (LAB 2).
8. The coarsest fraction (>20 mm) is sieved and the result is combined to complete the grading curve.

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result

RESULTS The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting the data
acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG24

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
COURSE SOIL ENG. LAB.

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN ENDED

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 4)

TITLE LAB 3 (B)- Particle Size Distribution (PSD) – Sieve Analysis (Dry sieving)

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. It is hoped that the activity
will slowly introduce and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them
for a much harder task of open-ended laboratory activities.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of sieving tests to determine
the particle size distribution of soil.

1.2 Objective
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a
soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the
coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the
distribution of the finer particles.
PREAMBLE

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. conduct the particle size distribution (psd) – sieve analysis (dry sieving)
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

A basic element of the soil classification system is by determining the particle size of the soil.
The distribution of the particle sizes larger than 0.0075 mm is determine by sieving, while
smaller than 0.0075 mm is determine by sedimentation process (hydrometer analysis). Below
is the list of the particle size from largest to smaller:

 Boulders : rocks that have an average diameter greater than

300 mm.
 Cobbles : rocks that are smaller than 300 mm and retained on
the 75 mm.

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL
 Gravel size particle : rock fragment or soil particles that will pass a 75 mm
sieve and be retained on a 4.75 mm.
 Sand size particle : soil particle that will pass a 4.75 mm sieve and be
retained on a 0.075 mm.
 Silt size particle : fine soil particles that pass the 0.0075 mm sieve and
are larger than 0.002 mm.
 Clay size particles : fine soil particles that are smaller than 0.002 mm.

Two method of sieving are specified:

i) Wet sieving
ii) Dry sieving

2.0 Problem Statement

A soil consists of an assemblage of discrete particles of various shapes and sizes. The object
PROBLEM of a particle size analysis is to group these particles into separate ranges of sizes and so
STATEMENT determine the relative proportions, by dry mass of each size range. As a group you are given
a set of samples to determine the soil classifications.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently analyse
the data and present it in a proper technical format.

3.1 Apparatus

i. Balance
ii. Set of sieves
iii. Cleaning brush
iv. Sieve shaker

WAYS AND
MEANS

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

3.2 General Procedures

1. Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the
analysis.
2. Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.
3. Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order of
sieve numbers (#4 sieve at top and #200 sieve at bottom). Place the pan below #200
sieve. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it.
4. Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight of each
sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the weight of the
bottom pan with its retained fine soil.

3.3 General Data Acquisition Infomation

1. Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the empty
sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as the weight
retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses should be approximately
equals the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent is
unsatisfactory.
2. Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each
sieve by the original sample mass.
3. Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent and
subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

BLANK DATA SHEET

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Job no. Site BH/Pit no.
Project Sample no.
Client Depth (mm)
Soil Descr.
Initial mass of dry soil used (g) Test method Dry Sieving
BS Sieve Mass of Mass of mass of Corrected Percentage Cumulative
opening sieve/pan sieve/pan soil mass retained percentage
size only and soil retained retained passing
(mm) (g) (g) (g) (g) (%) (%)
75
63
50
STAGE 1

37,5
28
20
14
10
Soil passing 10 mm, A
Riffled sample used, B
Riffling correction, C1 = A/B
STAGE 2

6,3
5
3,35
Soil passing 3.35 mm, D
Riffled sample used, E
Riffling correction, C2 = A/B * D/E

2
1,18
0,6
STAGE 3

0,425
0,3
0,212
0,15
0,063
Soil Passing 63 µm
Total
Tested by Checked by Date

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting the
RESULTS data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output to
achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©PKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG March- July 2024