Grain Size Analysis Test (Sieve Analysis)

Purpose

This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil.
The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser,
larger-sized particles.

Apparatus used

 Lead
 Brush
 Container
 Spoon
 Bowel
 Balance and Sieve shake
Test Procedures we followed
1. We collected a representative air dry soil sample. Samples having largest particles of the size
of No 4 sieve openings (4.75 rnm) should be about 500 grams. For soils having largest particles
of size greater than 4.75 rnm, larger weights are needed.

2. We broke the soil sample into individual particles using a mortar and a rubber-tipped pestle.
(Note: The idea is to break up the soil into individual particles, not to break the particles
themselves.)

3. We measured the mass of the sample accurately

4 . We prepared a stack of sieves. A sieve with larger openings is placed above a sieve with
smaller openings. The sieve at the bottom should be No. 200. A bottom pan should be placed
under sieve No. 200. As mentioned before, the sieves that are generally used in a stack are Nos.
4, 8,16,30,50,100 and 200.

5. The soil prepared in step 2 was Poured into the stack of sieves from the top.

6. We placed the cover on the top of the stack of sieves, then run the stack of sieves through a
sieve shaker for about 10 to 15 minutes.

7. We Stopped the sieve shaker and removed the stack of sieves.

8. We measured the amount of soil retained on each sieve and the bottom pan.

9. a considerable amount of soil with silty and clayey fractions is retained on the No. 200 sieve,
it has to be washed. Washing is done by taking the No. 200 sieve with the Soil retained on it and
pouring water through the sieve from a tap in the laboratory. When the water passing through the
sieve is clean, stop the flow of water. Transfer the soil retained on the sieve at the end of washing
to a porcelain evaporating dish by back washing. Put it in the oven to dry to a constant weight.
(Note: This step is not necessary if the amount of soil retained on the No. 200 sieve is small.)

Determine the mass of the dry soil retained on.No. 200 sieve. The difference between this mass
and that retained on No. 200 sieve determined in Step 9 is the mass of soil that has washed
through.

Data analysis and result

1. We Obtained the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the
empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and recorded this mass as the
weight retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses was 498gm there was
not such big loss of soil and it was satisfactory.
 Mass of soil retained =( mass of sieve +retained soil) – mass of sieve

2 We calculated the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each
sieve by the original sample mass.

3. Calculate the cumulative percent of soil retained on the nth sieve

4. We then calculated the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent and
subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.

5. We made a semi logarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent finer.

6. We computed Uniformity coefficient, Cu and Coefficient of gradation, Cc for the soil.

soil retained on No.200 sieve is washed, the dry unit weight determined after washing should be
used to calculate percent finer (than No. 200 sieve). The weight lost due to washing should be
added to the weight of the soil retained on the pan.

Mass of sieve
(gm) M.sieve + soil M. soil % soil comm. % finer
sieve sieve
no size(mm) (gm) retained (gm) retained(gm) retained retained
4 4.75 0 0 0 100
8 2.36
16 1.18
30 0.6
50 0.3
100 0.15
200 0.075
Pan Pan
Total

Gravel (>4.75mm) = 0%
Sand (4.75mm-75μm) = 31.35%
Fine grained soil (<75μm) = 68.65%

Grain size distributions are generally characterized by numerical parameters so that comparison
can be made between soils. The coefficient of uniformity Cu, gives an indication of the range of
the grain size present in a given soil sample. If the given soil is perfectly uniform, then the value
of Cu is equal to unity because D60 D10. A large value indicates the presence of appreciable
different grain sizes.

The curvature coefficient Cc, is a standard measure used in characterizing a grain size
distribution curve. It provides a measure of the smoothness of gradation (grain size distribution)
curve. Extremely large or small value of Cc , suggests that the soil is gap graded. i.e. certain grain
sizes are missing
2
D60 D 30
Cu = Cc=
D10 D 60 D 10

Where D60 is the diameter of the soil particles for which 60% of the particles are finer.

D10 is the diameter of the soil particles for which 10% of the particles are finer.

D30 is the diameter of the soil particles for which 30% of the particles are finer.

In our case the soil is fine grained soil we can not calculate Cu and Cc because the uniformity
coefficient and the coefficient of concavity are strictly applicable to coarse-grained soils.
COMPACTION TEST

This laboratory test is performed to determine the relationship between the moisture content and
the dry density of a soil for a specified compactive effort. The compactive effort is the amount of
mechanical energy that is applied to the soil mass. Several different methods are used to compact
soil in the field, and some examples include tamping, kneading, vibration, and static load
compaction. This laboratory will employ the tamping or impact compaction method using the
type of equipment and methodology developed by R. R. Proctor in 1933, therefore, the test is
also known as the Proctor test.

Two types of compaction tests are routinely performed: (1) The Standard Proctor Test, and (2)
The Modified Proctor Test. Each of these tests can be performed in three different methods. In
the Standard Proctor Test, the soil is compacted by a 5.5 lb hammer falling a distance of one foot
into a soil filled mold. The mold is filled with three equal layers of soil, and each layer is
subjected to 25 drops of the hammer. The Modified Proctor Test is identical to the Standard
Proctor Test except it employs, a 10 lb hammer falling a distance of 18 inches, and uses five
equal layers of soil instead of three. There are two types of compaction molds used for testing.
The smaller type is 4 inches in diameter and has a volume of about 1/30 ft3(944 cm3), and the
larger type is 6 inches in diameter and has a volume of about 1/13.333 ft3(2123 cm3). If the
larger mold is used each soil layer must receive 56 blows instead of 25 (See Table).

Equipment

Molds

Manual rammer,

Extruder

Balance

Drying oven

Mixing pan

Trowel

#4 sieve, Moisture cans, Graduated cylinder, Straight Edge.

Standard Reference

ASTM D 698 - Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using
Standard Effort.
 Test Procedure

(1)We obtained about air-dry soil on which the compaction test is to be conducted. Pulverize the
soil and run it through the # 4 sieve.

(2) We determined the weight of the soil sample as well as the weight of the compaction mold
with its base (without the collar) by using the balance and record the weights.

(3) We computed the amount of initial water to add by the following method:

Water to add (ml)= (soil of mass in grams * initial water content)/100

(4) We measured out the water, add it to the soil, and then mix it thoroughly into the soil using
the trowel until the soil gets a uniform color.

(5) We assembled the compaction mold to the base, place some soil in the mold and compact the
soil in the number of equal layers specified by the type of compaction method employed. The
number of drops of the rammer per layer is also dependent upon the type of mold used . The
drops should be applied at a uniform rate not exceeding around 1.5 seconds per drop, and the
rammer should provide uniform coverage of the specimen surface. Try to avoid rebound of the
rammer from the top of the guide sleeve.
 (6) We carefully removed the collar and trim off the compacted soil so that it is completely
even with the top of the mold using the trowel. Replace small bits of soil that may fall out during
the trimming process.

(7) We measured the compacted soil while it’s in the mold and to the base, and record the mass.
Determine the wet mass of the soil by subtracting the weight of the mold and base.

(8)We removed the soil from the mold using a mechanical extruder and take soil moisture
content samples from the top and bottom of the specimen. Fill the moisture cans with soil and
determine the water content.

(9) We placed the soil specimen in the large tray and break up the soil until it appears visually as
if it will pass through the # 4 sieve, add 2 percent more water based on the original sample mass,
and re-mix as in step

10. Repeat steps 5 through 8 until, based on wet mass, a peak value is reached followed by two
slightly lesser compacted soil masses.

Analysis

The sample calculations for a standard Proctor compaction test are given in the Table below

Line 1- Weight of mold, W1 to be determined from test

Line 2 - Weight of mold + moist compacted soil, W2, to be determined from test

Line 3 - Weight of moist compacted soil = W2 - WI (Line 2 -Line I).

Line 4 - Moist unit weight

Line 6 - Mass of moisture can, W3, to be determined from test

Line 7 - Mass of moisture can + moist soil, W4, to be determined from test.

Line 8 - Mass of moisture can + dry soil, W5, to be determined from test.

Line 9 - Compaction moisture content

Line 10-Dry unit weight

Zero-Air-Void

The maximum theoretical dry density of a compacted soil at a given moisture content will occur
when there is no air left in the void spaces of the compacted soil. This can be given by

γ d = (G* γw)/ (1 +(wG/S))

 Where G =specific gravity of the soil ( G =2.70)

γw =unit weight of water 9.81 kN/m3 (or density 1.0 g/cm3)
S =degree of saturation
For zero-air-voids or 100% saturation, S = 1.

Test 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Mass of mold, W1(g)
Amount of water added
2. Mass of mold + moist
soil, W2 (g)
3. Mass of moist soil,
W2- WI (g)
4. Bulk density

5. Moisture can number

6. Mass of moisture can,
W3 (g)
7. Mass of can + moist
soil, W4 (g)
8. Mass of can + dry soil,
Ws (g)
Mass of water
Mass of dry soil
9. Moisture content,
10. Dry density of
compaction

11.zero air void