NAME NURUL IZZATI BINTI M RAZALI

NO MATRIC 08DKA20F2030
PROGRAMME DIPLOMA OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
COURSE DCC30112 : GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LAB
TITLE SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST
LECTURER PUAN RABEAH ADAWIYAH BINTI HASHIM
THEORY

Soil consists of individual particles, or grains. Grain size refers to the size of an opening in a
square mesh through which a grain will pass. Since all of the grains in a mass of soils are not
the same size, it is convenient to quantify grain size terms of a gradation curve. A gradation
curves contains points corresponding to a particular grain size and a corresponding percent
(by weight) of the soil grains that are smaller than that of grain size. To performed grain size
analysis of a granular soil (sand or gravel), mechanical sieving is used, and the soil is passed
through a stack sieves. By weighing the fraction retained by each sieve, points on the grading
curve can be calculated using the semi-log graph.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the percentage of grain size distribution (silt, fine sand, medium sand and
coarse sand) by plotting the percentage grain passing versus grain size on semi log graph.

APPARATUS

1. Stack of sieves including pan and cover

2. Rubber pastle and mortar
3. Brush

4. Sieve shaker machine

5. Dry soil – 600g

6. Weighing machine (with accuracy up 0.001g)
PROCEDURE

1. Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the analysis.

2. Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.

3. Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order of sieve
numbers

4. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it.

5. Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.

6. Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight of each sieve
with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the weight of the bottom pan
with its retained fine soil.