Experiment No. 5 : To determine the grain size distribution by sieving.

Object: The object of the test is to determine the grain size distribution of coarse grained soil by sieving. Theory: The representative soil sample is separated into two fractions by sieving through 4.75 mm IS sieve. The fraction retained on the sieve is called the gravel fraction which is subjected to coarse sieve analysis. For coarse sieve analysis, the fraction is sieved through a set of IS sieves of size 100 mm, 80 mm, 40 mm, 20 mm, 10 mm and 4.75 mm. The material passing 4.75 mm sieve is subjected to fine sieve analysis and is sieved through a set of IS sieves of size 2 mm, 1mm, 600 , 425 , 300 , 212 , 150 and 75 . Mass of material retained on each sieve is determined. Then the percentage of material retained on any sieve is given by

where, Mn = mass of soil retained on sieve n M = total mass of soil taken for analysis. The cumulative percentage of material retained,

where, p , p2, are % retained on sieves , 2, coarser than sieve n Finally, percentage finer than sieve n is

which are

However, we shall conduct Fine sieve analysis only using sand sample. Equipment : 1. Set of fine sieves of size 2mm, 1 mm, 600, 425, 300, 212, 150 and 75 with pan and cover, 2. Weighing balance of accuracy 0.1 g, 3. Sieve shaking machine. Procedure: 1. Take 500 g of dry representative soil. 2. Arrange the sieves one over the other in the order of their mesh openings the largest aperture sieve kept at the top and the smallest aperture sieve at the

-/ 2 /bottom. A receiving pan is kept at the bottom. The soil sample is put on the top sieve and the sieve is closed with a cover or lid. The whole assembly with soil sample, cover and pan is then fitted on a sieve shaking machine and the machine is operated for atleast 10 minutes. The portion of soil sample retained on each sieve is weighed. The percentage of soil retained on each sieve is calculated on the basis of total mass of soil sample taken and from these results, percentage passing through each sieve is calculated. The results of sieve analysis are plotted on a semi-log graph sheet to get a grainsize distribution curve with the percentage finer N as the ordinate and the particle diameter as the abscissa. From the grain-size distribution cuve, find out nature of the soil sample i.e., whether it is well graded or poorly graded soil. Also calculate uniformity coefficient Cu and coefficient of curvature Cc.

3. 4. 5.

6.

7.

Data and observation sheet Mass of dry soil taken for analysis : 500 g Sl. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. IS Sieve 2 mm 1 mm 600 425 300 212 150 75 Pan Particle size D (mm) 2mm 1 mm 0.600 mm 0.425 mm 0.300 mm 0.212 mm 0.150 mm 0.075 mm Mass retained (g) % retained Cumulative % retained % finer (N)

Result: Soil is well / poorly graded. Uniformity coefficient Cu = Coefficient of curvature Cc =