LASALLEUNIVERSITYOZAMIZCITY

Civil Engineering Department

CIV321
Name: Guhan Dayuday Instructor: Engr. Grace Dolloso
Date Performed:03/13/2021 Date Due:03/22/2021
Group No.:4 Grade:

EXPERIMENTNO.5

PARTICLE SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOILS

Objective:
At the end of the experiment, the students will be able to:
1. Identifying the different grain sizes contained within a soil as well as its percentage.
2. Plotting the different coordinates of the varying results of the sieve analysis
3. Identifying whether the soil is well graded or not.

Introduction
Grain size analysis is the determination of the size grain of particles present in a soil. Sieve analysis
consists of shaking the soil sample through a set of sieves that have progressively smaller opening.
Fortunately, not all soils contain the full range of particle sizes so the test can be simplified. Soils that are
non-cohesive may only require dry sieving.

Discussion
Particle size analysis of soils is an important test to understand the physical properties of the soil.
The sample is passed through a series of sieves of different sizes. The sieves are stacked in descending order
of size, and the finest sieve is placed at the bottom. The sample is then placed on the top sieve, and the
stack is shaken for a fixed period. The soil that is retained on each sieve is weighed. The weight of the soil
retained on each sieve is used to calculate the percentage of soil particles in each size range. The data is
then plotted on a graph called a particle size distribution curve.

Significance
The particle size distribution curve provides information about the texture of the soil, which is an
important characteristic that affects plant growth and soil fertility. The curve can be used to determine the
soil texture class, such as sandy, loamy, or clayey. This experiment gives emphasis on civil engineering works
such as the establishment of roads, bridges or dams as a thorough analysis on the soil can be a detrimental
factor on stable construction.

Apparatus:
1. Balance 7.GraduatedCylinder
2. Setofsieves 8.Distilledwater
3. Oven 9.Thermometer
4. Brush 10.Evaporatingdish
5. Hydrometer 11.Spatula
6. Mixer 12.Timer
 Procedure:

A. SieveAnalysis
1. Weigh all sieves to be used up to 0.1 gram.
2. Weigh the soil sample.
3. Pass the sample through sieves by hand for at least 10minutes.
4. Weigh and record the quantity retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight
obtained in step 1.
5. Compute the percent passing on each sieve.

Calculation:
Wash passing No. 0.075mm sieve = W1–
W2Where W1= weight of oven dried
sample
W2=weight of the wash oven-dried sample
Weight passing , g =weight passing + weight retained

%Passing= 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒

𝑥100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠

%Retained= 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

% Cumulative Retained=100%-%Passing =% retained on sieve and those above it

B. CalibrationofHydrometer
1. Measure the overall length of the hydrometer bulb and call ITL 2 (cm).
2. Measure the distance of the stem of the hydrometer from top of the bulb to the mark of
the hydrometer reading and represent it by L1(cm).
3. Represent the distance from the center of the volume to the surface of suspension by Zr,
where𝑍𝑟 1+𝐿2
= 2 .

C. Hydrometer Test
1. Mix a moist specimen of soil passing the No.200 sieve and approximately 50 grams dry
weight with distilled water to form a smooth thin paste.
2. Add sodium silicate, a deflocculating agent.
3. Mix the suspension in a machine until particles are broken down.
4. Fill the graduated jar with distilled water.
5. After mixing, wash the specimen in to a graduated cylinder and add enough distilled
water to bring the level to 1000cc mark.
6. Mix the soil and water by placing the palm of the hand over the open end and turning
the cylinder up and down.
7. After shaking it for approximately 30 seconds, place the graduate on the table and insert
the hydrometer in the suspension and start the timer.
8. Take the hydrometer readings at total elapsed time of ¼, ½ and 2 minutes
withoutremoving the hydrometer. The suspension should be remixed, and this set of
readings repeated until a consistent pair of results has been obtained.
9. After reading, remove the hydrometer, remix and restart the test, but take no
readinguntil 2 minutes. For this reading and all the following ones, insert the
hydrometer just before reading. Before the insertion of the hydrometer, dry he stem.
 10. Take the hydro meter readings at total elapsed time intervals of 2, 5, 20, 20 minutes,
etc., approximately doubling the previous time interval. The hydrometer should be
removed from the suspension and stored in the graduate of distilled water after each
reading. Take frequent temperature measurement of the suspension.
11. Take temperature observations and hydrometer readings in the jar of distilled
waterevery 20 to 30 minutes add warm or cold water to keep it at the same
temperature. Prevent variations by keeping the test graduates away from heat source as
radiators, sunlight of open windows.
12. Keep the top of the jar containing the soil suspension covered to retard evaporation and
to prevent the collection of dust, etc. from the air.
13. Obtain the height of meniscus rise of pure distilled water on the stem of the
hydrometer. This height, known as the meniscus correction, is used in the calculations.
14. Continue taking observations until hydrometer reads approximately one, i.e. around
1,001 or until readings have the minimum soil particle diameter desired.
15. After final reading, pour the suspension into a large evaporating dish, taking unusual
care to avoid losing any soil.
16. Evaporate the suspension to dryness in the oven, cool the dish, subtracted from the
value determined in step 16 given the weight of the dry soil used.

Hydrometer: R = Reading + Zero + Temperature

Corrections(a=solidscorrections)

Graph
The various percent described are normally plotted versus sieve opening (particle size) on
a semi logarithmic paper. The resulting points are then connected smoothly. The graph
representing the percent passing (normal scale) and the grain diameter size (logarithmic scale) is
referred to as the grain-size distribution. This can yield information relative to the geologic origin
of the particular soil being tested.

Grain size distributions are generally characterized by numerical parameters so that

comparisonscan be made between different soils. The uniformity coefficient, C u, gives an
indication of therange of grain sizes present in a given soil sample while the coefficient of
concavity, Cc, is a standard measure used in characterizing a grain size curve.

8
𝐶𝑢¿ =53.33
0.150

(2)2 = 3.33
𝐶𝑐=
0.150 X 8
 where D10 = the effective size and represents the grain size diameter corresponding to
10%passing.
D30 = the grain size diameter corresponding to 30% passing
D60=the grain size diameter corresponding to 60% passing

Particle Distribution Curve

100

90

80

70
Percent Finer (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.01 0.1 1 10 100

Particle Size (mm)

Illustration

Observation

As the students have conducted the experiment, data has been gathered for the
retained weight of the soil on each sieve. From ½-no.200 sieve has a following data for
retained weight respectively: 162.6grams, 357.7, 287.8, 469.4, 132.4, 207.3, 148.4, and
85.4, it has a total of 1851g. In is apparent that a small container sieve can have little
amounts of retained sample soil compared to a bigger sieve (3/8-no.8 sieve) and that the
total retained weight has been reduced from what the original total weight of the soil
sample has. The weight of the material on each sieve is then plotted against the size of
the sieve openings to create a particle size distribution curve. The curve can reveal
information about the dominant particle size, as well as the number of fines and coarse
material in the sample. The particle size distribution curve can be used to make
inferences about the physical properties of thesample, such as its porosity, permeability,
and compaction behavior. It may also be compared to standard particle size distribution
curves to determine the classification of the sample.

Conclusion

Although there was a reduction in the total weight retained in the sample, the experiment
was still a success as other parts of determining in the analysis were still determined. In
conclusion, particle size analysis is a powerful tool that can provide valuable information about
the physical and chemical properties of materials and substances. It is important to carefully
select the appropriate technique and to follow proper procedures to ensure accurate and reliable
results. By applying particle size analysis, researchers and industry professionals can better
understand and optimize the performance of their materials and products.
 LASALLEUNIVERSITYOZAMIZCITY
Civil Engineering Department

Geotechnical for Engineering

Name: Guhan Dayuday Instructor: Engr. Grace Dolloso
DatePerformed: 03/13/2021 DateDue:03/22/2021
GroupNo.: 4 Grade:

EXPERIMENTNO.5
Work sheet for Sieve Analysis
Kind of Material: Clay Soil Date Sampled: March 13, 2023
Weight, Original Sample: 2100 g Moisture Content: 5.11 %
Weight, Oven dry sample: 1998 g Weight,Wash Oven dry sample passing
No.2001855 g

SieveNo Weight % Cumulativ % Remark

Retain Retained e Passing
ed(g) Weight % % Spec’s
Passing(g) Passing Retained
US mm
3″ 75 0 0 1851 100 0
2-1/2″ 63 0 0 1851 100 0
2″ 50 0 0 1851 100 0
1-1/2″ 37.5 0 0 1851 100 0
1″ 25 0 0 1851 100 0
¾″ 19 0 0 1851 100 0
½″ 12.5 162.6 8.79 1688.4 91.21 8.79
3/8 9.5 357.7 19.32 1330.7 71.89 28.11
1/4″ 6.3 287.8 15.55 1042.9 56.34 43.66
No.4 4.75 152 8.21 890.9 48.13 51.87
No.8 2.36 156.7 8.47 734.2 39.66 60.34
No.10 2.00 160.7 8.68 573.5 30.98 69.02
No.16 1.18 68 3.67 505.5 27.31 72.69
No.30 0.60 64.4 3.48 441.1 23.83 76.17
No.40 0.425 46 2.49 395.1 21.34 78.66
No.50 0.300 68.5 3.70 326.6 17.64 82.36
No.60 0.250 92.8 5.01 233.8 12.63 87.37
No.100 0.150 66 3.57 167.8 9.06 90.94
No.200 0.075 82.4 4.45 85.4 4.61 95.39
Wash
Passin
g
No.200
Pan 85.4 4.61 0 0 100
Total 1851
Remarks: Course to medium sand=43.21%,Fined sand = 43.39% ,Silt and Clay=4.61%

Guhan Dayuday
Student’s Signature Over Printed Name Instructor’s Signature