Northwest Samar State University

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Program

CE 434
SOIL MECHANICS

Name: ________________________________________________ Course & Year: ________________

Instructor: ____________________________________________ Date Performed: ______________
Soil Location: __________________________________________ Group No.: ___________________

Laboratory Exercise No. 6

GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce to the students the procedure of determining the particle size distribution of a soil
sample using sieve analysis.

IMPORTANCE:

The result of the grain size will be used as the basis in determining the classification of soil.

EQUIPMENTS:

1. Set of Sieves
2. Balance
3. Brush

PROCEDURE: SIEVE ANALYSIS

1. Weigh all sieves to be used up to 0.1gram.

2. Select test sample and break soil into its individual particles with the fingers or a rubber tipped
pestle.
3. Weigh a specimen of approximately 500grams.
4. Sieve the soil through a nest of sieves by hand for at least 10 minutes.
5. Weigh to 0.1 gram each sieve with the soil in it.
6. Subtract the weight obtained in step 1 from that of step 5 to give the soil retained in #200 sieve.
7. Tabulate data.

TABULATION:

Sieve Diameter Mass Cumulative Mass Retained Percent Passing

No. (mm) Retained (g) above each Sieve (Percent Finer)

Total
PLOT:
COMPUTATION:

CONCLUSION: