DISCUSSION (EXPERIMENT 3a)

Theory. For classification of soil for engineering purposes, we oath to know the distribution of
the grain sizes in any given soil mass especially the one obtain from the construction site or burrow pits.
Particle size distribution test, also known as sieve analysis test is a method used to determine the grain
(granular) size distribution of soil samples. Grain-size analysis is widely used in engineering classifications
of soils. The standard grain size analysis test determines the relative proportions of different grain-sizes
as they are distributed among certain size ranges. The sieve analysis is a process where the grain size
distribution of soil is determined. This test is done by letting a sample of soil pass through a stack of
sieves of decreasing mesh opening sizes and by measuring the weight retained on each sieves. The main
concept in this process is to retain the large particles not able to pass through the varying sieve sizes.
The sieve analysis is primarily applied to soil particles with sizes from 75mm to 75microns. Sieve analysis
can be classified as dry sieving and wet sieving. Dry sieving is a sieving process that is used for soil with
negligible amount of plastic fines like gravels and clean sands. On the other hand, wet sieving is applied
to soils with considerable plastic fines.

Observation. In this experiment, the particulate nature of soil was greatly observed. It was also shown
that certain classifications in soil can be done through sieve analysis. One essential thing to do in this
experiment is to arrange the sieves properly. The accuracy of this experiment is very much dependent
on the sieve arrangement. The arrangement of sieves must be in decreasing mesh openings from top to
bottom. This is very useful in order to separate the particles from coarser to finer. Lastly, It was observed
that for particles having sizes larger that the sieve opening to which it will be retained. On the other
hand, those with smaller sizes were able to pass through. This phenomenon is the basic reason on how
particles were separated.

Application. The grain-size analysis is one process that deals in the determination of the distribution of
soil types contained in a soil sample. Knowing the distribution of soil is best applied in making
engineering judgements towards total soil condition. The distribution of soil components is one
important soil profile applied in the field of foundation engineering. This analysis on grains is also
utilized in part of the specifications of soil for airfields, roads, earth dams, and other soil embankment
construction.

CONCLUSION.

The principal aim of this experiment is to determine the grain sizes contained within a soil
sample using sieve analysis. By applying this method, we had obtained retained mass not equal to the
initial mass of the dry soil sample. Instead of having 500grams of retained mass, we only accumulated
499.91 grams of soil sample. This infers that we had encountered problem during the performance of
the experiment. Possible reasons on how this happened is the possibility that while transferring the soil
sample in the pan some soil sample especially the finer soils were blew off by air, remained on the sieves
or stick on the paint brush.

Considering the graph formed by plotting the data obtained, we will notice that as the sieve
number increases, the percent passing decreases. It can be stated that the two have inversely
proportional relationship. This is also expected since as the number of sieve decreases the holes in the
sieves become larger. Hence, this means that the larger particles which do have heavier weights were
suspended on the sieves with smaller number.
 Lastly, it can be generalized that the grain-size distribution of soil is very significant in
the engineering properties of soil. It is a parameter of its strength, its bearing capacity as well as its
permeability. By knowing this property of soil, we can easily classify the soil and apply measures for it to
be more suitable for our desired applications.

DISCUSSION (Experiment 3b)

Theory. Grain-size analysis method is mainly composed of two methods called the Sieve Analysis
and the Hydrometer Analysis. From the previous experiment, it was found out that Sieve Analysis is very
much applicable to soil particles having sizes ranging from 75mm to 75microns. In most cases finer soils
are present in soil samples - these samples are of sizes less than 75microns. For these cases, the
Hydrometer Analysis is employed. This method is a combination of sieving and sedimentation analysis.
The hydrometer is designed to sink into the suspension until the bulb is totally immersed, and the stem
protrudes above the surface of the suspension. Because the length of stem that protrudes above the
surface is a function of the density of the suspension, more of the stem protrudes for denser
suspensions. It is thus possible to calibrate the hydrometer to read various densities. Soil hydrometers
are typically calibrated to read g/liter. Hence, an appropriate hydrometer can be inserted into a
suspension and a reading taken to obtain the average concentration of the solids in the fluid displaced
by the hydrometer. Because the hydrometer calibration is affected by temperature and the specific
gravity of solids, these factors will have to be taken into account during the experiment.

The Stoke’s Law is the primary basis of the Hydrometer method. This law assumes that the
dispersed soil particles of different shapes and sizes settle in water due to its own weight as non-
interacting spheres. It follows the principle that as the grain-size is bigger, meaning the greater weight it
has, the faster it will settle to the bottom of the container as it is imposed in a viscous fluid. The grain
diameter can also be calculated through the knowledge of the distance and time of fall principle. The
hydrometer is used to determine the specific gravity of density of the suspension. Thus, this entails the
acquisition of the percentage of particles of a certain equivalent particle diameter to be calculated.

Observation. The hydrometer analysis is a process of grain-size determination that usually

takes 78 hours. Due to some constraints, we had only performed a part of the whole experiment. As we
had done the part of the experiment, some observations were still inferred. There is really a need to
take the temperature of the suspension from each time interval because this imposes certain effects on
the condition of soil and water being considered. It is important that you employ patience in the
performance of this experiment since you’ll need to wait and observe carefully while performing this
experiment. It was also clearly seen and proven that those particles larger in size settled faster than
those smaller ones. We had keenly observed that weight factor of the particle is really the principal
consideration in this experiment. Lastly, it was also very essential to assign certain persons to look after
the temperature and hydrometer to ensure consistency in accurate reading.

Application. Hydrometer analysis, falling under Grain-size analysis, finds its application on
foundation engineering and construction. Having known the grain size of soil particles, engineers will be
able to determine the corresponding treatment to be done in soil (most especially at times needed to
increase the strength of soil). In practice, the information gathered through grain-size analysis has been
employed for the design of structures mainly those aligned with pavement and road construction. The
gradation of soil particles, determine through grain-size analysis is a primary concern in pavement mix
design. 
CONCLUSION:

Based on the results that we had, it was clearly portrayed that the Hydrometer analysis is one
useful method in determining the grain-size of finer soil particles which were not able to be determine
by sieve analysis.

The results we had gathered showed the direct relationship between temperature and the
hydrometer reading. As temperature decreases, the reading on the hydrometer seemed to go down as
well. By considering time intervals and readings in the hydrometer, we can say that our obtained results
seemed to fall to what is prescribed or expected. Considering our data, the longer the time is, the lower
the reading in the hydrometer becomes. This goes to show that particles begin to settle down in the
cylinder and thus, imposed a decrease in the reading in the hydrometer.

There are many sources of error in this experiment. Human error in reading and recording
hydrometer readings and instrumental error are two sources of errors. The rough insertion of the
hydrometer adds error since it introduces disturbance to the soil mix, causing turbulence. Moreover,
the different size of grains in the sample introduces error since the bigger particles will flocculate faster
than the smaller sizes and cause disturbance. Air bubbles floating on top of the liquid contributed to
some error as well in reading the meniscus. Another error for this experiment may include the surface
tension on the hydrometer’s rod. This may change how the hydrometer sinks into the solution. Also the
placing and removing the hydrometer from the cylinder may disrupt some of the displacement of the
particles of the soil-water causing false reading.

Lastly, the employment of three different corrections namely: the meniscus correction, the
temperature correction, and the dispersing agent correction can really improve the results. These
corrections reduced the errors of some factors observable in the performance of the experiment. By
having this, we can assure accurate results.