Holy Angel University

School of Architecture and Engineering

Angeles City

Experiment No. 5:
Grain Size Analysis of a Soil Using
Improvised Sieves

Submitted by:

LAXAMANA, JOSHUA
 Submitted to:

Engr. Patrick Mallari

October 13, 2021

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the grain size analysis of a given sample by the used of improvised sieves.

APPARATUS: (WITH PICTURES)

Improvised set of sieves

Weighing Scale
Spatula

Stove

Pan
 Mortar and pestle

PROCEDURES:

1. Dry about 1000 grams. of soil sample in a frying pan and stir frequently at a temperature
not to exceed 140°F.
2. Allow to cool to room temperature. Check if the aggregation between particles is
segregated, if not, use a mortar and pestle but be careful that the individual particles are
not broken.
3. Weigh the sample then pass in the sieves arranged from the biggest to smallest opening.
Place the cover at top and the pan at the bottom.

4. Get the weight of all particles retained in each sieves. Computations for weight passing and
weight retained in each sieves shall be commutative.
 5. Plot the grain-size distribution curve in semi-log scale. Note: to obtain the grain-size curve, the
commutative percentage passing base on total sample is plotted as ordinate in natural scale
against particle diameter, D, in mm as abscissa in semi-log scale.

DATA:

Sieve # Soil Wt. of Soil % Retained % Passing

Diameter(mm) Retained(g)

1 25 0 0% 100%

2 12.5 7 0.7% 99.3%

4 4.75 46 4.6% 94.7%

8 2.36 78 7.8% 86.9%

40 0.425 230 23% 63.9%

200 0.075 508 50.8% 13.1%

Pan 131 13.1% 0%

Grain Size Distribution Curve

100 100 99.3
94.7
90
86.9
80
70
63.9
60
50
40
30
20
13.1
10
0
100 10 1 0.1 0.01
 D10

0.425 - 0.075 0. 425 - D 10

=
6 3.19 - 13.1 6 3.19 - 10

D10 = 0.0533389898 mm.

D10 = 0.0533 mm.

0.425 - 0.075 0. 425 - D 30
=
63.19 - 13.1 63.19 - 30

D30 = 0.1930874426 mm.

D30 = 0.193 mm.

0.425 - 0.075 0. 425 - D 60

=
62 - 2.5 62 - 60

D60 = 0.4027101218 mm.

D60 = 0.403 mm.

Cu=
0.403 (0.193)2
C c=
0.0533 0.0533 x 0.403

Cu = 7.561 Cc = 1.734

CONCLUSION:
I conclude that the coarse aggregates are poorly graded while the fine aggregates are
well-graded based on the results obtained from the grain size analysis of a soil using improvised
sieves. Fine aggregate is well-graded sand since the obtained uniformity coefficient of 7.561 is
greater than 6, coefficient of curvature the ranges from 1 to 3 and has a particle size gradation
that spans uniformly from coarsest to finest. However, sieve analysis is still the simplest and
most upfront method of determining particle size distribution. It is particularly significant for
material analysis since particle size distribution may impact a variety of qualities such as
concrete strength and to determine the compliance with design, production control requirements,
and verification specifications. In this experiment I learned how to use sieving in order for us to
separate different sizes of aggregates despite of having only improvised set of sieves and
determining if the soil coarse and fine aggregates are well-graded or poorly graded.

DOCUMENTATION