UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Kabacan, Cotabato
Philippines

LABORATORY #4
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
(SIEVE ANALYSIS)

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1
(Soil Mechanics)

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Raymundo P. De los Santos III Cristopher A. Benito
 LABORATORY #4
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
(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, and the hydrometer
method is used to determine the distribution of the finer particles.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils

Significance:
The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering properties of
soil. Grain size analysis provides the grain size distribution, and it is required in
classifying the soil.

Equipment:
Balance, set of sieves, Cleaning brush, Sieve shaker, Mixer (blender)

Test Procedure:
Sieve Analysis:
(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 sieve at top and #200 sieve at
bottom). Place the pan below #200 sieve. Carefully pour the soil
sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it.

(4) Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10
minutes.

(5) 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.

Data Analysis:
Sieve Analysis:
(1) Obtain 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 record this mass as the weight retained on the data sheet. The
sum of these retained masses should be approximately equals the
initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent is
unsatisfactory.

(2) Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight
retained on each sieve by the original sample mass.

(3) Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100
percent and subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a
cumulative procedure.
For example: Total mass = 500 g
Mass retained on No. 4 sieve = 9.7 g

Mass retained on No. 10 sieve = 39.5 g

 For the No.4 sieve:
Quantity passing = Total mass - Mass retained
= 500 - 9.7 = 490.3 g
The percent retained is calculated as;
% retained = Mass retained/Total mass
= (9.7/500) X 100 = 1.9 %
From this, the % passing = 100 - 1.9 = 98.1 %

For the No. 10 sieve:

Quantity passing = Mass arriving - Mass retained
= 490.3 - 39.5 = 450.8 g
% Retained = (39.5/500) X 100 = 7.9 %
% Passing = 100 - 1.9 - 7.9 = 90.2 %
(Alternatively, use % passing = % Arriving - % Retained
For No. 10 sieve = 98.1 - 7.9 = 90.2 %)

(4) Make a semilogarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent finer.

(5) Compute Cc and Cu for the soil.

 DOCUMENTATION,
METHODS AND DATA
SHEET
 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (SIEVE ANALYSIS)
METHODS AND DOCUMENTATION

A. Ready the materials to be used.

Figure 1. Stack of Sieving Devices Figure 2. Soil sample of 288g

B. Record the mass of empty sieve.

Figure 3. Weighing of the empty sieve.

C. Place the soil sample into the stack of Sieving devices then shake it for 10
minutes.
.

Figure 4. Placing of soil into the sieve Figure 5. Shaking of the sieve
devices devices.

D. Record the Mass retained from each sieve.

Figure 6. Weighing of sieve.

 GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
DATA SHEET
Sieve Analysis
Date Tested: September 12, 2022
Tested By: Raymundo P. De los Santos III
Project Name: CE411-Laboratory Class (Sieve Analysis)
Sample Number:
Visual Classification of Soil: Clayey soil

Weight of Container: 69.5g

Wt. Container + Dry Soil: 287.7g
Wt. of Dry Sample: 214.2g

Mass Mass of
Soil
Diameter of Empty Sieve+Soil Percent Percent
Sieve Number
(mm) Retained Passing
Sieve Retained Retained
(g) (g) (g)

4 4.75 510 518.4 8.4 3.92 96.08

10 2 458.2 481 22.8 10.64 85.44

16 1.19 437.2 461.4 24.2 11.30 74.14

40 0.425 379 434.7 55.7 26.00 48.14

60 0.25 355.6 378.6 23 10.74 37.39

100 0.15 353.3 403 49.7 23.20 14.18

200 0.075 308 334.2 26.2 12.23 1.95

Pan --- 384.1 388.3 4.2 1.96 0

Total Weight= 214.2

* Percent passing=100-cumulative percent retained.

From Grain Size Distribution Curve:
D10= 0.12 mm
% Gravel= 3.92
% Sand= 94.13 D30= 0.22 mm
D60= 0.77 mm
% Fines= 1.95
Cu= D60/ D10 Cc = (D30)2/ (D60 xD10)
= 0.77/0.12 = (0.22)2/(0.77 x 0.12)
= 6.42 = 0.52

Unified Classification of Soil: SP/SW

Sieve Analysis Distribution Curve

100

90

80

70
Percent Passing (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.01 0.1 1 10
Sieve Opening (mm)
 Figure. Sieve Analysis Distribution Curve
Calculations:
The percent retained is calculated as:
Formula:
% retained = Mass retained/Total mass
Sieve no. 4 = (8.4/214.2) X 100 = 3.92%
Sieve no. 10 = (22.8/214.2) X 100 = 10.64%
Sieve no. 16 = (24.2/214.2) X 100 = 11.3%
Sieve no. 40 = (55.7/214.2) X 100 = 26.0%
Sieve no. 60 = (23/214.2) X 100 = 10.74%
Sieve no. 100 = (49.7/214.2) X 100 = 23.2%
Sieve no. 200 = (26.2/214.2) X 100 = 12.23%
The percent passing is calculated as:
Formula:
% passing = % Arriving - % Retained
Sieve no. 4 = 100 – 3.92 = 96.08%
Sieve no. 10 = 96.08 – 10.64 =85.44%
Sieve no. 16 = 85.44 – 11.30 = 74.14%
Sieve no. 40 = 74.14 – 26.0 = 48.14%
Sieve no. 60 = 48.14 – 10.74= 37.39%
Sieve no. 100 = 37.39 – 23.2 = 14.18%
Sieve no. 200 = 14.18 – 12.23 = 1.95%