APPENDIX 2.

B
Sieve Analysis

MECHANICAL SIEVE ANALYSIS

The mechanical sieve analysis process currently is the most widely used
sediment-analysis method. It involves passing the sample material through a
stacked set of brass or stainless-steel sieves (Figure 2.B.1 and Figure 2.B.2),
with each sieve filtering a percentage of the sample. The finest material falls
through to the bottom pan. Plotting the percentages (weights) of the entire
sample provides insight into its physical makeup. Figure 2.B.3 is a form that
is used to record grain-size data. A larger copy of this form is included at
the end of this appendix.
2 Groundwater and Wells, Third Edition

Figure 2.B.1. Recommended sieve groups suitable for sieving various

classes of unconsolidated sediments.

Equipment required to perform a sieve analysis includes a complete set

of brass or stainless-steel standard testing sieves, a hot plate for drying
samples, and an accurate scale for weighing the samples (scale should be
accurate to 1 g).

Figure 2.B.2. Photo of sieves and a shaker (Johnson Screens).

Appendix 2.B. Sieve Analysis 3

Figure 2.B.3. Example of sieve-analysis form.

For the analysis, samples must be dry and all the particles must be
separated. If wet samples contain clay, the clay can cause sand particles to
adhere together. If the sample is too large for the sieves—more than 1 lb
(450 g)—it is best to reduce the size of the sample with a splitter or by using
the quartering method (see Figure 2.B.4). If the sample consists primarily of
4 Groundwater and Wells, Third Edition

fine sand, then 0.25 lb (113 g) is a quantity sufficient for conducting an

analysis. Using only a small amount of material (e.g., 0.25 lb (113 g)) when
analyzing a coarse-grained sample could skew the analysis toward the
coarse-grained fraction. Labs typically use 8-in (203-mm) diameter wire-
mesh sieves, and smaller-sized sieves are used in the field. It is important to
note that samples contaminated with flammable chemicals require special
handling.
Select 5 to 8 sieves that separate the sample into various grain sizes. The
coarsest sieve should retain 20% (or less) of the total sample. Suggested
sieve groups are shown in Table 2.B.1. Sieve openings are designated in
one-thousandths of an inch (millimeters), and using the mesh number of the
wire cloth.

Figure 2.B.4. Quartering method for splitting samples.

The sieves that capture the finest sizes are stacked on the bottom pan and
those that pass the coarsest material are placed at the top of the stack. Before
sieving begins, the total sample weight must be recorded. The sample then is
poured onto the top sieve and the set of sieves is shaken vigorously—using a
circular up-and-down motion—for at least 5 minutes.
After the shaking is completed, the contents of each sieve are weighed.
Always be sure to dislodge any portion of the sample that is caught in the
mesh. The weight of the material retained in the second sieve then is added to
that of the material already in the weighing pan and the combined weight is
recorded. Each sieve then is emptied successively and the weight of the
Appendix 2.B. Sieve Analysis 5

accumulated sample in each case is recorded. Finally, the weight of the finest
material from the bottom pan is added to the total.

Table 2.B.1. Recommend Emptied Sieve Groups Suitable

for Sieving Various Classes of Unconsolidated Sediments
Sieve Size Sand & Coarse Fine
in mm mesh # Gravel Sand Sand
0.375
0.250
0.185
0.131 3.33 6 X
0.093 2.36 8 X
0.078
0.065 1.65 10 X X
0.055
0.046 1.17 14 X X
0.033 0.84 20 X X
0.023 0.58 28 X X X
0.016 0.41 35 X X X
0.012 0.3 48 X X X
0.008 0.20 65 X X
0.006 0.15 100 X
Bottom Pan X X X

The accumulated weight should approximate the weight of the original

sample. A sample record from a series of sieves is shown below. To calculate
the cumulative percent retained, divide the cumulative weight retained by the
total weight of the sample (Table 2.B.2).
When plotting the data, each cumulative percent retained is plotted on
the vertical axis against the sieve opening (using thousandths of an inch
(millimeters)) on the horizontal axis. An example of a sand-analysis form is
shown in Figure 2.B.4. Sieve-opening size is the diameter of the smallest
particle retained by each sieve. Although this is not strictly the case because
particle shape varies, it is standard practice to plot the size of sieve openings
as the grain size on the graph. These plotted points then are connected in a
smooth curve, as shown in Figure 2.B.5.
The equipment required for sieve analysis might not be available in the
field, but utilizing 3-in (76-mm) sieves, a dried sample, and a 100-ml
graduated glass cylinder can provide satisfactory results. Measure and
manually sieve 100 ml of sample material. The volume of material in each
sieve then is poured back into the cylinder and the cumulative amount is
6 Groundwater and Wells, Third Edition

measured. The resulting volumes can be plotted in a manner similar to the

procedure described above, with the assumption that all the material has
essentially the same density. This method, of course, is not as accurate as a
laboratory-conducted sieve analysis.

Table 2.B.2. Cumulative Percent Retained

Size of Sieve Cumulative Weight

Openings Retained Cumulative Percent
in mm oz g Retained
0.046 1.17 1 28.4 18
0.033 0.84 1.6 45.4 28
0.023 0.58 2.6 73.7 46
0.016 0.41 3.9 110.6 70
0.012 0.3 4.6 131.4 83
0.008 0.2 5.3 150.2 95
Bottom pan 5.6 158.8 100
Original weight 5.6 oz (158.8 g)

Figure 2.B.5. Plot shows the percent of the sample retained in each sieve.
This plot illustrates grain-size distribution.
Appendix 2.B. Sieve Analysis 7

LASER GRAIN-SIZE ANALYSIS

Laboratories (such as those at Johnson Screens) also are equipped with

automatic particle-size analyzers that generate computer printouts of grain-
size distribution data using X-Y plotters. Sophisticated particles-analysis
tools, such as the Malvern Mastersizer 2000™ (Figure 2.B.6), are developed
to meet the ever-increasing industry demand. Such modular, software-
controlled particle-sizing systems assure measured performance and
consistent analysis of samples—from submicron to millimeter size, in either
wet or dry conditions, and in milligram or bulk quantities. The particle-sizing
instruments employ the physics of light scattering as particles are passed
through a focused laser beam. The particles scatter light at an angle inversely
proportional to their size. The intensity of the scattered light is detected and
measured, and the scattering intensity versus the angle is mapped and used to
calculate the particle size.

Figure 2.B.6. Mastersizer 2000™ (Malvern Instruments).

Regardless of the method used, it is important to establish consistent

methods for testing sediment samples.
 i1ohnson screens' 651-636-3900
1-800-833-947 3
FAX 651-638-3171 or 1-800-328-9891
P.O. Box 64118
St. Paul, MN 55164
SAND ANALYSIS

SEND SAMPLES TO: 1950 OLD HWY 8, NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112

BY:
Job Nam e Date _

City State Zip _

Driller Phone _

Engineer Phone _

Remarks _

U.S. STANDARD SIEVE NUMBERS

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