EXERCISE 4

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE :
To introduce to the student the method of conducting a mechanical grain size
analysis of a soil and presenting the resulting data.

DISCUSSION:
Grain size analysis is used in the classification of soils. It is an attempt to
determine the relative proportion of different grain sizes in a soil mass. It is one
criteria for soils in roads , airfields, levee, dam , embankments. Information from
grain size analysis is helpful to determine soil -water movement with the help of a
permeability test, proper gradation of filter materials as well as frost action in
soils.

REFERENCE: ASTM D 421 AND D 422

APPARATUS:
Set of mechanical sieves
Mortar and pestle
Balance sensitive to 0.1 grams

PROCEDURE:
1. Each group will obtain exactly 500g of oven-dry soil from the bag of stock
material . Use sampling or sampling splitter.
 2. If the samples contain appreciable gravel, very few fines or if at the
discretion of the instructor, washing is to be omitted. Otherwise place
the test sample on the No. 200 sieve and wash the material through the sieve
using tap water until the water is clear.
3.Carefully pour the residue, using back-washing, into a large weighed
dish and let it sit for a short period of time until the top of the suspension
becomes clear. Then, place the dish and remaining soil-water suspension in
the oven for drying.
4.On the following day, weigh the oven-dry residue.(Omit this step if you
do not wash).Then run your sample through a stack of sieves from top down.
5. Place the stacks of sieves in a mechanical sieves shaker (if available)
and sieve for 5 to 10 minutes until the top few sieves can be removed from
the stack. If there is no mechanical shaker, shake by hand for about 10
minutes. Do not shake in a defined pattern.
6.Remove the stack of sieves from the shaker and obtain the weight of
material remaining on each sieve. Sum these weights and compare with
original. Loss of weight should not exceed 2%, otherwise repeat the sieve test.
7. Compute the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight on
each sieve to the original sample weight Ws.
8 . Compute the percent passing or percent finer by starting with 100
percent and subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a
cumulative procedure.
9. Prepare a logarithmic log of percent finer versus grain size.
Note:
-If less than 12 % of the soil sample passes the number 200 sieve,
compute Cc and Cu and show in the logarithmic graph
-If more than 12% of the soil sample passes the number 200 sieve,
conduct a hydrometer analysis.
Project____________________________ Job Number____________________
Project Location____________________ Boring No.______ Sample No._____
Soil Description_____________________ Sample Depth___________________
Tested By__________________________ Date___________________________

Soil Sample Size

Wt. of dry sample + container
Wt of Container
Wt. of dry sample

Mechanical Analysis and Soil Data

(Sieve Analysis and Grain Shape)
Sieve Diamete Mass of Mass of Mass of Percentag Cumulative Percent
No. r (mm) each each soil e on each percent finer,
sieve (g) sieve + retained- sieve (Rn) retained (100-
retained Wn (g) (Col5/Wt ∑Rn ∑Rn)
soil (g) (Col4- *100)
Col3)
4
16
20
40
60
100
200
Pan
 Project____________________________ Job Number____________________
Project Location____________________ Boring No.______ Sample No._____
Soil Description_____________________ Sample Depth___________________
Tested By__________________________ Date___________________________

Grain Size Curve

FIGURES:

% Finer

Grain Diameter (mm)

OBSERVATION:

CONCLUSION: