Objective:

 The purpose of this lab to study the grain size distribution of the soil sample (sieve analysis and
hydrometer)
 Classification of soil sample based on the grain size distribution curve.

Introduction:
The soil is formed by grains and the grain size distribution known as gradation is an important to study
the parameters of the soil like permeability, void ration, type of soil whether it is poorly graded, well
graded etc. the ability of the soil to pass through the water through it depends on the grain sizes. There
are two methods used to study the grain size distribution of the sample known as sieve analysis and
hydrometer analysis. For suitability of the soil for roads and for earthen dam filters the grain size
distribution is very important. The shape of the soil particles can also be determined from gradation
curve.

Equipment’s:
The following below equipment’s are required to perform the grain size distribution test:

 Sieves set
 Hydrometer
 Graduated Cylinder
 Balance
 Mechanical Sieve Shaker
 Cleaning Brush
 Thermometer
 Stop Watch

Procedure:
Sieve Analysis:
 Collect the 500 g of air dried soil sample.
 Assembled the sieve sets #10, #20, #40, #60, #100, #200 and pan at then end.
 Put the soil sample on the top sieve and closed the sieve set using top lid.
 Put the sieve set on the mechanical shaker and shake it for 5 minutes.
 After removing the sieve set from shaker record the retained weight of the soil on each sieve.
 Calculate the percentage finer for each sieve.
 Sum the weigh retained on each sieve and compare that sum with the initial soil weight.
 Measure the percentage of lost material during testing.

Hydrometer Analysis:
 Collect 50 g of soil sample that passes through the #40 sieve.
 Place 500-600 ml of water in the graduated cylinder and add 5g of calgon in that water.
 Add the soil sample in the calgon-water solution and mix it thoroughly for 3 minutes.
 Squirt bottle is used to clean the blade so that no soil lost during the experiment.
  Place that soil solution in the 1L sedimentation cylinder water tank.
 Place the top lid on the cylinder and mix the solution thoroughly by turning upside down
multiple times.
 Place the cylinder on the table and record that time equal to zero.
 Insert the hydrometer carefully and record the readings at the top of the meniscus at different
time intervals 10, 20, 40 and 60 seconds.
 Put the hydrometer in the beaker and record the temperature using thermometer.
 Take hydrometer readings at different time intervals 2, 4, 6, 7, 15, 30 and 60 minutes.

Results and Calculations:

  Weight Weight Weight of % of Mass Cumulati  
of of ve
Gro Sieve Openi Empty Sieve + Retained Retained on % %
up Number ng Sieve Soil Soil Sieve Retained Passing
    (mm) (g) (g) (g) %    
1 4 4.75 517.2 548.8 31.6 6.32 6.32 93.68
1 10 2 537.9 556.3 18.4 3.68 10.00 90.00
2 20 0.85 435 509.9 74.9 14.98 24.98 75.02
2 40 0.425 389.4 553 163.6 32.72 57.70 42.30
3 60 0.25 380.6 423.3 42.7 8.54 66.24 33.76
3 100 0.15 499.5 554.9 55.4 11.08 77.32 22.68
4 200 0.075 344.5 439.8 95.3 19.06 96.38 3.62
4 pan   290.7 308.5 17.8 3.56 99.94 -
      Total 499.7      

Elapse Hydr. Temp. K a b L D %

d Passing
Time Readin (C)            
g
(min) (R)              
0.1666 15 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.0550 0.12317 26.532
7 5 5 5
0.3333 14 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.0713 0.08714 24.552
3 5 8 3
0.6666 12.6 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.0942 0.06166 21.78
7 5 4 3
1.0833 11.4 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.1138 0.04840 19.404
3 5 4 2
2.35 9.9 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.1383 0.03288 16.434
5 3 8
4 8.7 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.1579 0.02522 14.058
5 3 4
6 7.5 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.1775 0.02060 11.682
 5 3 7
7 6.3 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.1971 0.01909 9.306
5 2
15 5.3 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.2134 0.01304 7.326
5 5 8
30 4.1 28 0.0125 0.99 2.6 16.2330 0.00923 4.95
5 5 2

30 Particle Size Distribution

Sieve Analysis
25 Hydrometer
Analysis

20
% Passing

15

10

0
1 0.1 0.01 0
Particle Diameter (cm)

Conclusion:
This lab was successfully performed to study the grain size distribution of the soil sample using sieve
analysis and hydrometer analysis. The above graph is the gradation curve of the soil sample. The above
graph shows that the soil is well graded having no gaps in the soil gradation. The particle sizes varies in
the soil. Wet sieving is the method to separate the coarse material with water or other material before
drying and it is used for those where the particles are insoluble in water. The soil is well graded sand
having sand in access. The clay particles are fines and have size less than 0.02 cm therefore we use the
hydrometer analysis for gradation of the clay particles.

The errors in this lab could be inexperienced lab technician, improper handling of apparatus, loss of soil
during testing, clay particles are in lumped conditions and not mixed thoroughly in the water.

References:
 Soil Mechanics Laboratory Manual.
 ASTM D422.StandardTest Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils.
 ASTM D2487. Standard Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (USCS).

Appendices:
Mass of empty sieve=517.2 g
Mass of sieve+ retained soil=548.8 g
Mass of retained soil=548.8−517.2=31.6 g
31.6
% retained= ∗100=6.32 %
500
% fines=100−% retained=100−6.32=93.68 %
L=16.3−0.1633∗R=16.3−0.1633∗15=16.05505 cm

L 16.05505
D=K∗
√ t
=0.01255∗
√ 0.16667
=0.123175 cm

( R−b+1 )∗a (15−2.6+1 )∗0.99

P ( % )= ∗100= ∗100=26.532%
w 50