SAINT JOSEPH COLLGE

Maasin City

Name: Rian T. Bernante Course & Yr: BSCE 3-P

Date Performed: September 01, 2021 Date Due: September 01,2021

CE 12 Lab
SOIL MECHANICS

Expt. No. 3
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS – MECHANICAL METHOD

OBJECTIVE: To introduce to the students the method of making a mechanical grain-size analysis of
soil and presenting the resulting data.

EQUIPMENT: Set of sieves sample divider

Rubber mallet weighing scale accurate to 0.1 g

DISCUSSION:

Grain size analysis is universally used in the engineering classification of soils.

Part of the suitability criteria of soils for roads, airfield, dam and other embankment
construction is the grain size analysis. Information from the grain-size analysis can be
used to predict the soil-water movement as well as the susceptibility to frost action.

The grain-size analysis is an attempt to determine the relative proportions of the

different grain sizes which make up a given soil mass. The analysis can only bracket the
range of sizes. It cannot determine the exact size of the individual particles. All soil
classification uses sieve number 200 as a dividing point; classifications are in terms of
the percentage passing or retained in sieve no. 200.

The sieving process does not provide information on the shape of the soil grains. It
only yields information on grains which can pas a given opening with proper
orientation. The result of grain-size distribution curve is presented in a form of a curve
plotted in a semi-logarithmic paper. It is evident that sieve analysis is just an
approximate method due to some reasons such as: (a) the physical limitations in
obtaining representative sample, (b) the presence of the soil lumps, (c) the practical
limitations of using sieve mesh openings for irregular-shaped particles, and (d) the limit
on the number of sieves used in the “stack” for the analysis. Control sieves are sieve no.
4, sieve no. 100 and no. 200 A no. 200 sieve should be used as a bottom sieve for fine-
grained soil and no. 100 should be the bottom sieve for concrete sand.

From the grain-size distribution curve the following can be determined: (a) the
effective size D10 (b) D60 and D30 needed in computing the soil constants – Cu and Cc-
soil grading ( gap graded, well graded or poorly graded).

An indication of the spread of grain sizes is given by the coefficient of uniformity

Cu defined as

Cu = D60 / D10

A large value of Cu indicates that the D 60 and D10 sizes differ appreciably.

The coefficient of concavity Cc = D 230 / (D10 D60)

 Values of Cc, different from 1.0 indicates grain sizes missing between the D 60 and
D10 sizes. The values of these soil constants are used in the classification of the soil
For soils where more than 10 to 12 percent passes the No. 200 sieve, a hydrometer
analysis must be performed.

PROCEDURE:

1. Obtain a representative sample of soil from the bag of rock material obtained by
sampling.
2. Pulverize the representative sample until no more soil lump is present.
3. Get at least 500 g of a representative sample to be used for the sieve analysis.
4. Determine the empty weight of each sieve included in the stack of sieves including
the pan and the cover.
5. Arrange the sieves from the largest opening down to the smallest opening.
6. Place the soil sample on the top most sieve then cover.
7. Place the stack of sieve in the mechanical shaker and sieve for 5 to 10 minutes. If
sieving is done manually, sieve the sample for at least 15 minutes. Apply shaking in
different directions.
8. Remove the stack of sieves from the shaker and determine the weight of each sieve
with the soil retained.
9. Determine the soil retained in each sieve.
10. Sum up the soil retained in all the sieves. A loss of more than 2 % of the soil sample
is considered unsatisfactory, therefore the experiment must be repeated.
11. Compute the percentage of soil retained in each sieve by dividing the soil retained in
each sieve by the total weight of sample used then multiple by 100%.
12. Compute the accumulated percentage retained in each sieve.
13. Compute the percentage finer or percent passing in each sieve by subtracting the
accumulated percentage retained from 100.
14. Plot the results in a semi-logarithmic scale.
15. If less than 12% passes the no. 200 sieve, compute Cu and Cc.
16. If more than 12 passes the no. 200 sieve perform the Hydrometer test so that a
complete soil analysis can be obtained.

DATA & RESULTS:

Wt. of Soil = 600 g

DIAMETER
SIEVE NO. WT. RETAINED % RETAINED % PASSING
(mm)
4 4.76 80 g 13.33% 86.67%
10 2.00 100 .67% 70%
20 0.841 110 g 18.33% 51.67%
40 0.400 110 g 18.33% 33.34%
60 0.250 150 g 25% 8.34%
100 0.149 40 g 6.67% 1.67%
200 0.074 10 g 1.67% 0
Pan
TOTAL = 600 g 100%

Formula :
% Ret. = (Wt. Ret. ÷ Total Wt. Ret.)×100
% Pass. = [(Total Wt. Ret. - Wt. Ret.) ÷ (Total Wt. of Soil)]×100

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

1. Is there a loss or gain of soil sample? How do you account for such loss or gain?

In the experiment that has been performed there is no loss or gain of soil sample after it was
manually sieve for the soil sample still remain to its original weight which is 600 grams. The
result shows that the execution of the experiment was right. In accounting for the such loss or gain
of the sample, used the obtain data and given formula. The experiment is only considered
acceptable if the soil sample is ≤2% of its gain or loss, but beyond that it means the experiment
should be redone.

2. Why is Cu and Cc computed only if less the 12 % passes the No. 200 sieve?

The Cu and Cc is computed only if the test sample is less the 12% passes the No. 200 sieve for us
to be able to distinguish whether the soil sample is a sand or gravel and if it meets the gradation
requirements or not. If more than 12% of the test material goes through the No. 200 sieve, the soil
sample must proceed to a hydrometer test for it is used to determine the distribution of the finer
particles.

3. Give 3 uses of the grain size distribution curve.

- Use to classify soil.

- Indicator of engineering soil properties.
- Use to estimate the particle size range in the soil.

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION CURVE:

Result:
D10 = 0.3 mm
D30 = 0.4 mm
D60 = 1.2 mm
Formula:
Cu = D60 / D10
Cu = 1.2 / 0.3
Cu = 4 (Gravel)

Cc = D 230 / (D10 × D60)

Cc = 0.4 / (0.3 × 0.4)
Cc = 0.38% (Poorly Graded Soil)

Legend:
Cu ≥ 4 ( gravel )
Cu ≥ 6 ( sand )
1 < Cc < 3 ( meet both criteria and consider well-graded )

CONCLUSION:

For the experiment today I was able to understand the proper method of making a mechanical grain-
size analysis of soil and presenting the resulting data. Through the given data in the video I was able to
compute the percentage retained and passing of the soil sample as well as the coefficient uniformity
and curvature of the soil. This experiment is an important parameter for soil exploration for it will be
used for civil engineering structure (e.g. roadwork).

Checked by: Engr. Luzanne Bakunawa

Date:____________________