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2 Mechanical Analysis of Soil: CE 304-CE31S8 - Geotechnical Engineering 1

1.2 Mechanical Analysis of Soil

c
Mechanical Analysis of Soil
Introduction to the Topic:

Sieve analysis is a mechanical method to find the particle size with the use of different Sieve # (diameter of the hole) and Vibrating Sieve Shaker
Machine (Mechanical Sieve Shaker).  Knowing particle size distribution is important because it can affect the strength of concrete, surface area, the
solubility of a mixture and other properties of material. 
 

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the session the students should be able to:

1. familiar with Sieve Analysis;

2. perform the method to find particle size;
3. demonstrate different soil parameter; and
4. draw the Particle Size Distribution Curve.

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MECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF SOIL

Determination of the size range of particles present in soil expressed as percentage of the total dry weight (or mass)
 

METHODS TO FIND PARTICLE SIZE

1. Sieve Analysis (Coarse and Fine)

               

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2. Hydrometer Analysis (Fine)

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SIEVE ANALYSIS

1. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve (M1 , M2 , . . . Mn ) and in the pan (Mp )
2. Determine the total mass of soil (retained on each sieve). (M1 + M2 +. . . +Mi +. . . +Mn + Mp = ∑ M

3. Determine the cumulative mass of soil retained above each sieve. For the sieve, it is M1
th
i + M2 +. . . +Mi

4. The mass of soil passing the i th

sieve is ∑ MSummation of Mass − (M1 + M2 +. . . +Mi )
Cumulative Mass
∑ MSummation Mass −(M1 +M2 +...+Mi )Cumulative Mass

5. The percent of soil passing the  i sieve  (or percent finer) is F

of
th
= × 100
∑M

6. Plot on semi logarithmic graph paper with percent finer as the ordinate (arithmetic scale-vertical) and sieve opening size as the abscissa
(logarithmic sieve - horizontal). This plot  is referred to as the particle-size distribution curve.

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Note:     

FOUR SOIL PARAMETER

1. Effective Size (D10 )

Diameter of particle size distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer.  The effective size of granular soil is a good measure to estimate the
hydraulic conductivity and drainage through the soil.
 

2. Uniformly Coefficient (Cu )
D 60
Cu =
D 10

where: 

C u = U niformity Coefficient

D60 = Diameter corresponding to 60% finer in the particle size distribution curve.

3. Coefficient of Gradation/Curvature
2
D
30
Cc =
D 60 ×D 10

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4. Sorting Coefficient (So )

This parameter is another measure of uniformity and is generally encountered in geologic works and expressed as
−−
−
D 75
So = √
D 25

The sorting coefficient is not frequently used as a parameter by geotechnical engineers.

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PERCENTAGES OF GRAVEL, SAND, SILT AND CLAY-SIZE PARTICLES

Example According to Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Example 1:

Following are the result of a sieve analysis. Make the necessary calculations and draw a particle size distribution curve.

Mass of Soil
Sieve # Mass of Soil on each Sieve Cumulative Mass % Finer/Passing Sieve Opening Size
Passing
4 0 0 729 100 4.75
10 40 40 689 94.51 2.0
20 60 100 629 86.28 0.85
40 89 189 540 74.07 0.425
60 140 329 400 54.87 0.25
80 122 451 278 38.13 0.18

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100 210 661 68 9.33 0.15

200 56 717 12 1.65 0.075
PAN 12 729 0 0 n/a
Total:  729

Plot the Graph:

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From the graph:

D10 = 0.15

D60 = 0.27

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D30 = 0.17

Therefore,
0.27
Cu = = 1.8
0.15

D30 = 0.17

2
(0.17)
Cc = = 0.71
(0.27)(0.15)

Percentage:
76.2 -- 100

                       >100-100 = 0% GRAVEL

4.75 -- 100

                       >100-1.65 = 98.35% SAND

0.075 -- 1.65

                       >1.65-0 = 1.65% SILT AND CLAY (FINE)

- -- 0

End of Discussion.

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See attached lecture: Mechanical Analysis of Soil (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/7871332/download?wrap=1)

(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/7871332/download?download_frd=1)

PowerPoint Presentation: Lecture-2-Mechanical-Sieve-and-Hydrometer-Analysis.pdf (https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/8027847?

wrap=1)
(https://tip.instructure.com/courses/24098/files/8027847/download?download_frd=1)  
 

Here are some links that might be useful for your studies:

Sieve Analysis (https://www.civilclick.com/sieve-analysis/)

Particle Size Analysis (Sieves and Hydrometer) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqxfwpUtEoQ)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqxfwpUtEoQ)

Hydrometer Test (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfm-Qxbnwlo)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfm-Qxbnwlo)

Soil Classification System (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwxcqbO8ZA)

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(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwxcqbO8ZA)
 

Summary:  

Step-by-step procedure to draw the particle-size distribution curve:

1. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve and in the pan.
2. Determine the total mass of soil (retained on each sieve).
3. Determine the cumulative mass of soil retained above each sieve.
4. The mass of soil passing the i sieve is ∑ M
th
(Summation of M ass) − (Cumulative M ass)
i
∑ M−(Cumulative Mass)
5. The percent of soil passing the  i th sieve  (or percent finer) is F =
i
× 100
∑M

6. Plot on semi logarithmic graph paper with percent finer as the ordinate (arithmetic scale-vertical) and sieve opening size as the abscissa
(logarithmic sieve - horizontal). This plot  is referred to as the particle-size distribution curve.
 

Effective Size (D10 )

Diameter of particle size distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer.

 

Uniformly Coefficient (Cu )

D 60
Cu =
D 10

where: 

C u = U niformity Coefficient

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D60 = Diameter corresponding to 60% finer in the particle size distribution curve.

Coefficient of Gradation/Curvature
2
D
30
Cc =
D 60 ×D 10

Reference:

Ishibashi, Isao (2015). Soil mechanics fundamentals and applications Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press

Das, Braja M. (2013). Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering New Zealand: Cengage Learning  

Murthy, V. N. S. (2002). Geotechnical engineering principles and practices of soil mechanics and foundation engineering: CRC Press
 

For more references, kindly check TIP Online Resources

TIP Library (https://www.tip.edu.ph/library.html)

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