GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION

Dr. Divya Priya

Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
SCE, VIT, Vellore
 Particle Size Distribution
• The mechanical analysis, also known as
particle size analysis is a method of separation
of soils into different fractions based on the
particle size.
• For measuring the distribution of particle sizes
in a soil sample, it is necessary to conduct
different particle-size tests.
• The results are shown graphically on a particle
size distribution curve, it is also known as
“Grain size Distribution curve”

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Cont…
Grain size distribution
 The grain size distribution is used for soil
classification, for example it is used for designing
filters and for estimating the coefficient of
permeability.
 The grain size distribution curve for coarse grained
soils (i.e., particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm. 75
micron IS sieve) can be obtained by sieve analysis
test.
 The grain size distribution curve for fine grained
soil (i.e., particle sizes smaller than 0.075 mm) is
obtained by Hydrometer test.

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 Grain-Size Distribution Curve

• The size distribution curves, as obtained from coarse and fine

grained portions, can be combined to form one complete
grain-size distribution curve (also known as grading curve).
A typical grading curve is shown.

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 Sieve analysis test
 Sieve analysis test is used to determine the
grain size distribution curve for coarse
grained soil.
 For purely coarse grained soil, dry sieve
analysis test is performed.
 For coarse grained soil containing fines, wet
sieve analysis test is performed

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 Procedure of sieve analysis test
• The test sample is dried to a constant weight at a
temperature of 110 + 5oC and weighed.

• Weight the soil sample (W)

• The sample is sieved by using a set of IS Sieves.

IS Sieves
IS Sieve

Sieve Opening 1.00 600 425 300 212 150

(mm)
4.75mm 2.00mm μm μm, μm μm μm
75μm
mm,

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 Procedure of sieve analysis test
• On completion of sieving, the retained on each
sieve is weighted (Weight of retained) .

• Cumulative weight passing through each sieve is

calculated as a percentage of the total sample
weight as shown in the following table

stack of sieves

sieve shaker

Sieve Analysis 7
Sieves

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Photos show the procedures of sieve analysis test
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Photos show the procedures of sieve analysis test
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 Results of sieve analysis test
Sieve Sieve Weight of Weight of Cumulative % Passing
No Opening retained total retained % retained
(mm) (gm) (gm)

1 4.75 R1 R1 R1/TR 100-(R1/TR)

2 2.00 R2 R1+R2 (R1+R2)/TR
3 1 R3 R1+R2+R3
4 600
5 0.425
6 0.300
7 0.212
8 0.150
9 0.075 Rn R1+R2+..+Rn
Pan Sum = TR

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Check (Weight of soil sample, W = TR)
Grain Size Distribution Curve (GSDC)
100

80
hydrometer sieve
% Passing

60
fines sands gravels

40

20
D10 = 0.013 mm
D
30 D30 = 0.47 mm
D60 = 7.4 mm
0
0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100

Grain size (mm)

You can find % of gravels, sands, fines

D10, D30, D60.. defined as above
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 Grading Characteristics
• A grading curve is a useful aid to soil description. The
geometric properties of a grading curve are called
grading characteristics.

• To obtain the grading

characteristics, three
points are located first on
the grading curve.
D60 = size at 60% finer by
weight
D30 = size at 30% finer by
weight
D10 = size at 10% finer by
weight
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 Parameters obtained from GSDC
 Effective size = D10

1. Uniformity Coefficient ( Cu )

2. Coefficient of Curvature (Cc )

3. Coefficient of Permeability (k)

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 Different curves of GSDC
100

80
% Finer

60

40

20

0
0.0001 0.001 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Particle size (mm)

W Well graded U Uniform graded

P Poorly graded C Well graded with some clay
F Well graded with an excess of fines 15
• When the value of Cu is less than 4, the soil is
generally considered as uniformly graded.
• Cc = 1, represents that all the soil particles
have the same size, and the soil is uniformly
graded.

• Gravels: Cc = 1-3 & Cu >4

• Sands: Cc = 1-3 & Cu >6

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Characteristics of the Grain size Distribution Curve

Types of soils with regard to shape of their distribution

curves:

1. Well-graded soil: The curve is smooth and covers a

wide range of sizes. This indicates that the soil is NON-
UNIFORM.
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2. Poorly-graded soil: The curve is nearly vertical. This indicates
that the soil is UNIFORM.

3. Gap-graded soil: This is the case when intermediate sizes are

absent. This could be the case when two separate soils are mixed.

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 Relative Density (Dr)
• Relative density is the ratio of the difference
between the void ratios of a cohesionless soil in its
loosest state and existing natural state to the
difference between its void ratio in the loosest and
densest states.
• Measure of how densely the grains are packed in
a coarse grain soil in %.

0 100

Loosest Densest

• Also known as density index (ID).

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• The following relationship between the void
ratio values is termed as the relative density

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The range of values for relative densities (Dr) and the
commonly referred state of compaction for granular soil.

Granular Soil Consistencies

Relative Density (%) Consistency Term

0-15 Very loose

15-35 Loose

35-65 Medium dense

65-85 Dense

85-100 Very dense

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