CHAPTER 4 – DETERMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE OF SOILS – ASTM D422-63 (1990)

Particle Size of Coarse-Grained Soils

The distribution of particle sizes or average grain diameter of coarse-grained soils – gravels and
sands – is obtained by screening a known weight of soil through a stack of sieves of
progressively fines mesh size. A typical stack of sieves is shown.
Each sieve is identified by a number that corresponds to the number of square holes per linear
inch of mesh. The particle diameter in the screening process, often called sieve analysis, is the
maximum particle dimension to pass through the square hole of a particular mesh. A known
weight of dry soil is placed on the largest sieve (top sieve) and the nest of sieves is then placed
on a vibrator, called a sieve shaker, and shaken. The nest of sieves is dismantled, one sieve at a
time. The soil retained on each sieve is weighed and the percentage of soil retained on each
sieve is calculated. The results are plotted on a graph of percent particles finer than a given
sieve (not the percent retained) as the ordinate versus the logarithm of the particle sizes as
shown. The resulting plot is called a particle size distribution curve, or simply, the gradation
curves.
Let Wi be the weight of soil retained on the ith sieve from the top of the nest of sieves and W be
the total soil weight. The percent weight retained is:

Wi
% Retained onith sieve= x 100
W

The percent finer is:

i
% Finer than ith sieve=100−∑ ( % Retained on ith sieve)
i=1

You can use mass instead of weight. The unit of mass is grams or kilograms.

PARTICLE SIZE OF FINE-GRAINED SOILS

The screening process cannot be used for fine-grained soils – silts and clays – because of their
extremely small size. The common laboratory method to determine the size distribution of fine-
grained soils is a hydrometer test. The hydrometer test involves mixing a small amount of soil
into a suspension and observing how the suspension settles in time. Larger particles will settle
quickly followed by smaller particles. When the hydrometer is lowered into the suspension, it will
sink into the suspension until the buoyancy force is sufficient to balance the weight of the
hydrometer.

The length of the hydrometer projecting above the suspension is a function of the density, so it
is possible to calibrate the hydrometer to read the density of the suspension at different times.
The calibration of the hydrometer is affected by temperature and the specific gravity of the
suspended solids. You must then apply a correction factor to your hydrometer reading based on
the test temperatures.

Typically, a hydrometer test is conducted by taking a small quantity of a dry fine-graded soil
(approximately 50 grams) and thoroughly mixing it with distilled water to form a paste. The
paste is placed in 1 liter glass cylinder and distilled water is added to bring the level to the 1 liter
mark. The glass cylinder is then repeatedly shaken and inverted before being placed in a
constant-temperature bath. A hydrometer is placed in the glass cylinder and a clock is
simultaneously started. At different times,, the hydrometer is read. The diameter D of the
particle at time tD is calculated from Stoke’s law as:

18 μz
D=
√ (Gs−1) γwtD

Where μ is the viscosity of water (10.09 millipoises at 20˚C), z is the depth, ɣw is the unit weight
of water, and Gs is the specific gravity.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SOILS BASED ON PARTICLE SIZE

The grading curve is used for textural classification of soils. Various classification systems have
evolved over the years to describe soils based on their particle size distribution. Each system
was developed for a specific engineering purpose. In this this lesson, we will use the Unified Soil
Classification System (USCS). The USCS separates soils into two categories. One category is
coarse-grained soils that are delineated if more than 50% of the soil is greater than 0.075 mm
(No. 200 Sieve). The other category is fine-grained soils that are delineated if more than 50% of
the soil is finer than 0.075 mm. Coarse-grained soils are subdivided into gravels and sands while
fine-grained soils are divided into silts and clays. Each soil type – gravel, sand, silt, and clay – is
identified by grained size as shown in table. The USCS does not differentiate silts from clays.
Clays have particle sizes less than 0.002 mm.

SOIL TYPE DESCRIPTION AVERAGE GRAIN SIZE

Gravel Rounded and/or angular bulky Coarse: 75 mm to 19 mm
hard rock. Fine: 19 mm to 4.75 mm
Sand Rounded and/or angular bulky Coarse: 4.75 mm to 2.0 mm
hard rock. (No. 10)
Medium: 2.0 mm to 0.0425
mm (No. 40)
Fine: 0.425 mm to 0.075 mm
(No. 200)
Silt Particles smaller than 0.075 0.075 mm to 0.002 mm
mm, exhibit little or no
strength when dried
Clay Particles smaller than 0.002 <0.002 mm
mm, exhibit significant
strength when dried; water
reduces strength

Real soils consist of a mixture of particle sizes. The selection of a soil for a particular use may
depend on the assortment of particles it contains. Two coefficients have been defined to provide
guidance on distinguishing soils based on the distribution of the particles. One of these is a
numerical measure of uniformity, called the uniformity coefficient, Cu, defined as
 D 60
Cu=
D 10

Where D60 is the diameter of the soil particles for which 60% of the particles are finer, and D 10 is
the diameter of the soil particles for which 10% of the particles are finer. Both of these
diameters are obtained from the grading curve. D10 is also known as the effective size.

The other coefficient is the coefficient of curvature, Cc (other terms used are the coefficient of
gradation and the coefficient of concavity), defined as

D 302
Cc=
D 10 x D 60

Where D30 is the diameter of the soil particles for which 30% of the particles are finer. The
average particle diameter is D50.

A soil that has a uniformly coefficient of <4 contains particles of uniform size (approximately one
size). The minimum value of Cu is 1 and corresponds to an assemblage of particles of the same
size. The gradation curve for a poorly graded soil is almost vertical (Fig 3.4). Humps in the
gradation curve indicate two or more poorly graded soils. Higher value of uniformity coefficient
of >4 indicate a wider assortment of particle sizes. A soil that has a uniformity coefficient of >4
is described as a well-graded soil and is indicated by a flat curve (Fig 3.4). The coefficient of
curvature is between 1 and 3 for well-graded soils. The absence of certain grain sizes, termed
gap-graded, is diagnosed by a coefficient of curvature outside the range 1 to 3 and a sudden
change of slope in the particle size distribution curve as shown in Fig 3.4.

Poorly graded soils are sorted by water (e.g. beach sands) or by wind. Gap-graded soils are also
sorted by water but certain sizes were not transported. Well-graded soils are produced by bulk
transportation processes (e.g. glacial till). The uniformity coefficient and the coefficient of
concavity are strictly applicable to coarse-grained soils.

EXAMPLES:

1. A sample of a dry coarse-grained material of mass 500 grams was shaken through a nest of
sieves and the following results were obtained.

Sieve No. Opening (mm) Mass Retained (grams)

4 4.75 0
10 2.00 14.8
20 0.85 98
40 0.425 90.1
100 0.15 181.9
200 0.075 108.8
Pan 6.1
  Plot the particle size distribution of the curve
 Determine (1) the effective size, (2) the average particle size, (3) the uniformity
coefficient, and (4) the coefficient of curvature.
 Determine the textural composition of the soil (e.g. amount of gravel, sand, silt and clay)

SOLUTION:

Step 1: Tabulate data to obtain % finer.

Sieve No. Mass Retained % Retained Ʃ(% Retained) % Finer

(grams) Mr (Mr/M) x 100
4 0 0 0 100-0 = 100
10 14.8 3.0 3.0 100–3.0 = 97.0
20 98 19.6 22.6 100–22.6 = 77.4
40 90.1 18.0 40.6 100-40.6 = 59.4
100 181.9 36.4 77.0 100-77 = 23.0
200 108.0 21.8 98.8 100-98.8 = 1.2
Pan 6.1 1.2
Total Mass 499.7 100

Step 2: Plot the gradation curve.

=

Step 3: Extract the effective size.

Effective Size = D10 = 0.1mm

Step 4: Extract percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay.

GRAVEL 0%
SAND 98.8%
SILT AND CLAY 1.2%

STEP 5: Calculate Cu and Cc.

D 60 0.45
Cu= = =4.5
D 10 0.1
 D 302 0.18 2
Cc= = =0.72
D 10 x D 60 0.1 x 0.45

2. The following data were obtained from sieve analysis. Find Cu and Cc

Sieve No. Diameter (mm) Mass Retained (grams)

4 4.76 5
8 2.38 45
10 2.00 65
20 0.84 92
40 0.42 152
60 0.25 115
80 0.180 212
100 0.149 63
200 0.074 32
PAN 14
TOTAL 795

SOLUTION:

Sieve No. Diameter (mm) Mass Retained % Retained Ʃ(% Retained) % Finer
(grams) Mr (Mr/M) x
100
4 4.76 5 0.629 0.629 99.371
8 2.38 45 5.660 6.289 93.711
10 2.00 65 8.176 14.465 85.535
20 0.84 92 11.572 26.037 73.963
40 0.42 152 19.119 45.156 54.844
60 0.25 115 14.465 59.621 40.379
80 0.180 212 26.666 86.287 13.713
100 0.149 63 7.925 94.212 5.788
200 0.074 32 4.025 98.237 1.761
PAN 14 1.761 100
TOTAL 795 100
Effective Size, D10 = 0.17mm

Uniformity of Coefficient, Cu

D 60 0.51
Cu= = =3
D 10 0.17

Coefficient of Gradation or Coefficient of Curvature, Cc

D 302 0.212
Cc= = =0.509
D 60 x D 10 0.51 x 0.17

NOTE:

Sorting Coefficient, So

D75
So=
√ D25

Suitability Number, SN

SN=1.7
(√ D 350 + D 120 + D101 )
2 2 2

3. The result of the sieve analysis is shown below.

a) What is the percentage of the soil is retained in No. 200 Sieve?

b) What is the effective grain size of the soil in mm?

c) Determine the uniformity coefficient

Sieve No Diameter (mm) Mass Retained (grams)

4 4.76 25
8 2.38 80
10 2.00 110
20 0.84 160
40 0.42 180
60 0.25 220
80 0.180 380
100 0.149 590
200 0.074 110
PAN 85
SOLUTION:

Sieve No. Diameter (mm) Mass Retained % Retained Ʃ(% Retained) % Finer
(grams) Mr (Mr/M) x
100
4 4.76 25 1.289 1.289 98.711
8 2.38 80 4.124 5.413 94.587
10 2.00 110 5.670 11.083 88.917
20 0.84 160 8.247 19.330 80.670
40 0.42 180 9.278 28.608 71.392
60 0.25 220 11.340 39.948 60.052
80 0.180 380 19.587 59.535 40.465
100 0.149 590 30.412 89.947 10.053
200 0.074 110 5.670 95.617 4.381
PAN 85 4.381 100
TOTAL 1940 100

a) Percent retained in No. 200 sieve = 100% - 4.38% = 95.62%

b) Effective grain size, D10 = 0.149 mm

c) Uniformity Coefficient Cu

D 60 0.25
Cu= = =1.68
D 10 0.149