FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 0

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 5)

TITLE Particle Size Distribution (PSD) – Wet Sieving

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to
slowly introduced and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them
for a much harder task of open ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of wet sieving tests to
determine the particle size distribution of fine-grained soil.

PREAMBLE
1.2 Objective
This test is performed to determine the particle size distribution in an essentially
cohesionless soil, down to the fine sand size.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. conduct the particle size distribution (psd) – wet sieving
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 1.4 Theoretical Background
A basic element of the soil classification system is by determining the particle size of the
soil. The distribution of the particle sizes larger than 0.0075 mm is determine by sieving,
while smaller than 0.0075 mm is determine by sedimentation process (hydrometer analysis).
Below is the list of the particle size from largest to smaller:

 Boulders : rocks that have an average diameter greater than 300 mm.
 Cobbles : rocks that are smaller than 300 mm and retained on the 75 mm.
 Gravel size particle : rock fragment or soil particles that will pass a 75 mm
sieve and be retained on a 4.75 mm.

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL
 Sand size particle : soil particle that will pass a 4.75 mm sieve and be retained
on a 0.075 mm.
 Silt size particle : fine soil particles that pass the 0.0075 mm sieve and are larger
than 0.002 mm.
 Clay size particles : fine soil particles that are smaller than 0.002 mm.

Two method of sieving are specified:

i) Wet sieving is the definition method applicable to essentially cohesionless soils.

ii) Dry sieving is suitable only for soil containing insignificant quantities of silt and clay.

The procedure given involves preparation of the sample by wet sieving to remove silt and
clay-sized particles, which are rejected, followed by dry sieving of the remaining coarser
material.

Wet sieving is usually performed with one of two purposes. Either it is performed to
determine a fraction retained on a sieve or sieves, or it is a method of sample preparation
that allows a later particle size analysis to be performed more easily or accurately. The
procedures are often similar, but the one you choose should be based on your end goal.

2.0 Problem Statement

A soil consists of an assemblage of discrete particles of various shapes and sizes. The
object of a particle size analysis is to group these particles into separate ranges of sizes
PROBLEM and so determine the relative proportions, by dry mass of each size range. As a group you
STATEME are given
NT
a set of samples to determine the soil classifications.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently analyse
the data and present it in a proper technical format.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 3.1 Apparatus

i. Weighing Balance ii. Set of sieves

(20 mm & 0.063 mm) iii. Cleaning
brush & a scoop iv. Mechanical
sieve shaker (optional) v. Lid
and receiver (pan) vi. Drying Oven
vii. Large plastic container (60-80l) viii.
Sodium hexametaphosphate

WAYS
AND 3.2 Procedures & Data Acquisition
MEANS
1. Wet sieving is carried out to remove fine-grained particles and to determine the
combined clay/silt fraction percentage
2. A sub sample is first oven dried and sieved to separate the coarsest particle (>20 mm).
3. The sub sample is then immersed in water containing dispersing agent of sodium
hexametaphosphate of about 2 g/litre solution and is allowed to stand before being
washed away (store it in large container) in a 63 m mesh sieve.
4. The slurry that pass on 63 m mesh sieve and allow to settle for 1 week or until all fine
particle settle at the bottom of the container.
5. The wet sample (soil sediment) must be oven dried for hydrometer test sample
preparation if any.

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

6. The retained fraction is again oven dried and passed into a nest of sieves(dry sieving,
LAB 3) if any.
7. The cumulative percentage passing is calculated and the combined clay/silt fraction is
determined from the weight difference expressed as a percentage of the total sub
sample from hydrometer test (LAB 4(B)).
8. The coarsest fraction (>20 mm) is sieved and the result is combined to complete the
grading curve.

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result

All result can be use on LAB 1 and LAB 2(B)

RESULTS

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting the
data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output to
achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL
TITLE Particle size distribution of fine soil (Hydrometer test)

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways &
means are guided and given to the students. However the answers to the
assignment are left to the students to solve using the group creativity and
innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly introduced and inculcate
independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a much harder
task of open ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of hydrometer

test to determine the particle size distribution of a given soil sample. For soil
samples containing fine-grained particles, a wet sieving procedure is first
carried out and test is conducted to determine the combined clay/silt fraction
percentage. The combined clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight
PREAMBLE difference and expressed as a percentage of the total sub-sample weight. The
test is in accordance to BS 1377-2:1990 test 9.2.

1.2 Objective
The objective of the test is:
To determine the grain size distribution of a soil sample (fine soil).

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Identify the correct apparatus to carry out hydrometer
test. 2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 1.4 Theoretical Background
Distribution of grain sizes affects the engineering properties of soil such as
permeability, strength, expansivity etc. It is also required in the classifying
the soil. Measurement of grain size distribution depends on the size of the
grains i.e. larger than 0.075 mm or in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 µm.

2.0 Problem Statement

To measure the grain size distribution, hydrometer test is normally used for fine
particle where the grain size is in the range of 0.075 mm > D > 0.5 µm. As a
group you are given a set of samples to test to determine its grain size
distribution.

PROBLEM A wet sieving test was conducted on 1kg of the air-dried soil sample to
STATEMENT determine the particle size distribution of the coarse materials. The results of
the wet sieving test were given in form PS1. The hydrometer sedimentation
test was then conducted in the laboratory to obtain the particle size distribution
of the fine portion of the soil sample.

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and
subsequently analyse the data and present it in a proper technical format.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 3.1 Apparatus

• Balance
• Set of sieves
• Cleaning brush
• Sieve shaker
• Mixer (blender)
• Hydrometer
• Sedimentation cylinder
• Control cylinder
• Thermometer
• Beaker
• Timing device.
• and other accessories which include evaporating dish, corrosion
resistant tray, calgon (33g of sodium hexametaphosphate and
7g of sodium carbonate in distilled water to make 1 Litre).

3.2 Procedures

1. Take the fine soil from the bottom pan of the sieve set, place it into a
beaker, and add 125 mL of the dispersing agent (sodium
hexametaphosphate (40 g/L)) solution. Stir the mixture until the soil is
WAYS & MEANS
thoroughly wet. Let the soil soak for at least ten minutes.
2. While the soil is soaking, add 125mL of dispersing agent into the
control cylinder and fill it with distilled water to the mark. Take the
reading at the top of the meniscus formed by the hydrometer stem
and the control solution. A reading less than zero is recorded as a
negative (-) correction and a reading between zero and sixty is
recorded as a positive (+) correction. This reading is called the zero
correction. The meniscus correction is the difference between the top
of the meniscus and the level of the solution in the control jar (Usually
about +1). Shake the control cylinder in such a way that the contents
are mixed thoroughly. Insert the hydrometer and thermometer into the
control cylinder and note the zero correction and temperature
respectively.
3. Transfer the soil slurry into a mixer by adding more distilled water, if
necessary, until mixing cup is at least half full. Then mix the solution
for a period of two minutes.
4. Immediately transfer the soil slurry into the empty sedimentation
cylinder. Add distilled water up to the mark.
5. Cover the open end of the cylinder with a stopper and secure it with
the palm of your hand. Then turn the cylinder upside down and back
upright for a period of one minute. (The cylinder should be inverted
approximately 30 times during the minute.)

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 6. Set the cylinder down and record the time. Remove the stopper from
the cylinder. After an elapsed time of one minute and forty seconds,
very slowly and carefully insert the hydrometer for the first reading.
(Note: It should take about ten seconds to insert or remove the
hydrometer to minimize any disturbance, and the release of the
hydrometer should be made as close to the reading depth as possible
to avoid excessive bobbing).
The reading is taken by observing the top of the meniscus formed by
the suspension and the hydrometer stem. The hydrometer is removed
slowly and placed back into the control cylinder. Very gently spin it in
control cylinder to remove any particles that may have adhered.
8. Take hydrometer readings after elapsed time of 2 and 5, 8, 15, 30, 60
minutes and 24 hours.

3.3 Data Results and Calculations

1. Apply meniscus correction to the actual hydrometer reading.

2. From calibration equation, obtain the effective hydrometer depth, Hr in
mm (for hydrometer corrected reading).
3. For known Gs of the soil (if not known, assume 2.65 for this lab
purpose), obtain the value of K1 from Table 2.
4. Calculate the equivalent particle diameter by using
the following formula:
D = 0.005531
(𝜌𝑠−1)

5. Where t is in minutes, and D is given in mm.

6. Calculate modified hydrometer reading as follows:
7. Rd = R’h–R’o
8. Where R’o= hydrometer reading in the dispersant solution
9. Calculate percent finer as follows:
100ρ
𝐾= s
𝑅𝑑 (%)
m(ρs−1)

10. Where m is the weight of the soil sample in grams.

11. Calculate the adjusted percentage passing and plot the grain size curve
D versus the adjusted percent finer on the semi logarithmic sheet.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

3.4 Data Acquisition

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU
DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result
1. Attach the table of the result.
2. Show the details calculation in determining each of the item needed in the
RESULTS table.
3. Plot a grain
-size distribution graph on -semi
log paper. (Adjusted percentage
passingvs.Particle diameter)

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy
of the set-out output to achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GUDANG LABORATORY MANUAL

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22