Introduction

In Experiment 3a, we used the Sieve Analysis method to assess the particle size

distribution of the given 500 g soil sample. The following soil classifications were

determined: characteristics of soil when load is applied, shape of grain in soil layers,

range of grain sizes and structure stability of soil.

Sample Computations:

Total Weight Retained = 1.47 + 23.55 + 73.24 + 22.91 + 95.75 + 134.37 + 71.6 + 56.11 +

25.41 + 7.21

Total Weight Retained = 511.62 g

Sieve No. 3/8

Given:

Weight of Container = 595.86 g

Weight of Container + Soil = 597.33 g

Weight of Soil = 597.33 – 595.86 = 1.47 g

Solution:

Cumulative Weight Retained = Sum of Weight Retained on All Coarser Sieves

Cumulative Weight Retained = 1.47 + 0 = 1.47 g

Cumulative Weight Passing = Total Weight Retained – Cumulative Weight Retained

Cumulative Weight Passing = 511.62 – 1.47 = 510.15 g

𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔

Cumulative Percent Passing = × 100%
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

510.15
Cumulative Percent Passing = 511.62 × 100% = 99.71%
Sieve No. 4

Given:

Weight of Container = 518.52 g

Weight of Container + Soil = 542.07 g

Weight of Soil = 597.33 – 595.86 = 23.55 g

Solution:

Cumulative Weight Retained = Sum of Weight Retained on All Coarser Sieves

Cumulative Weight Retained = 1.47 + 23.55 = 25.02 g

Cumulative Weight Passing = Total Weight Retained – Cumulative Weight Retained

Cumulative Weight Passing = 511.62 – 25.02 = 486.6 g

𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔

Cumulative Percent Passing = × 100%
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑

486.6
Cumulative Percent Passing = 511.62 × 100% = 95.11%
Answers to Questions

1. What is the purpose of grain size analysis? 


Grain size analysis is a test to determine the particle size classification to test whether

the particle soil sample’s ability to be then a basis of judgments on engineering decisions.

2. What is a grading curve? 


Grading curve is a method to determine soil description based on sizes and percentage

passing. In the horizontal axis, the grain sizes are plotted and on the vertical side,

percentage passing is plotted.

3. Under what conditions should you use wet sieving instead of dry sieving? 


Wet sieve or wet sieving should be used in conditions where there are plastic fines in

soil. Conversely, dry sieving should be used whenever the amount of plastic fines in soil

is only in small quantities and can then be neglected.

4. On which basis do you select the number and opening of sieves for the sieve analysis

of a 
given soil? 


The number and opening of sieves can be based on the soil to be tested. It

depends on the preference of the person and as to where the grain sieve analysis would be

applied.

5. A mass of volcanic ashes with highly crushable grains is brought to the laboratory.
 What 
precaution do you take to determine its grain size distribution?

When the volcanic ashes are brought to the lab, it should first be oven dried so

that the undesired moisture it accumulated would be removed. After drying, the volcanic

ashes will now be sieved.

6. On what range of particle size does the sieve analysis apply? 


The range of particle sizes particularly for sieve analysis can be based on the

Unified Soil Classification System and ASTM D2467–93. Sieve analysis is applicable to

the gradation of soil between sin sieve (75 mm) and 0.075 mm sieve or the No. 200.

7. Is it possible to carry out sieve analysis on a sample of clay? 


Performing a sieve analysis on a sample of clay is not possible since its grain size

is very fine wherein it is lesser than 0.0075mm. Therefore an instrument like the

hydrometer is recommended to be used to analyze and classify this type of soil.

Interpretation of Results

In Experiment 3a - “Sieve Analysis of Soil”, we were given the following

apparatus: Set of Sieves, Balance, Brush, and Pans. We were given 500 g of soil sample

to sieve. Before doing so, we determined the weight of each sieve with the digital

balance. After which, we placed the 500 g soil sample into the topmost sieve. With the

guidance of our professor, we managed to shake the set of sieves through our “manual

sieve shakers”.

Our professor had put together all the groups’ sieves in order to have uniform data.

After which, we separated the set of sieves and measured the weight of each with its

retained soil. We had the following results – 597.33 g, 542.07 g, 563.46 g, 506.42 g,

547.7 g, 556.3 g, 432.7 g, 470.77 g, 430.12 g and 556.05 g. We then subtracted the

recorded weights of each sieve from the values and added them – 511.62 g. The result

was not equal to 500 g, the original value of soil sample given. The error must be from

the impurities that we weren’t able to brush off from the sieves. Also, the error must be
from inaccurate readings from the digital balance.

Based on the results the group obtained, we were able to a desirable

Application

Sieve Analysis is one of the oldest methods used in the field of engineering for

classification of soils. It is also applied in various fields like air, roads, earth dams, and

other soil embankment construction. The standard analysis defines the different grain

sizes. Poorly graded soil can cause defects in construction, such as cracks, which may

lead to swell pressure that will eventually damage the pavement. Moreover, Sieve

Analysis will help Civil Engineers guarantee that a certain structure’s foundation is

strong.
References:

1. United States Department of Agriculture. (July 2010) National

Engineering Manual.

2. Thien & Graveel. (October 14, 2002) Laboratory Manual for Soil

Science: Agriculture and Environmental Principles (Eighth).

3. Gillesenia, D. (2009) Fundamentals of Geotechnical Engineering.