Continuous Assessment Cover Sheet

Faculty of Engineering

Module Details
Module Code CE2811 Module Title Geotechnical engineering 1
Program: SLIIT/Curtin/SHU/ Course: BSc/ BEng/
Stream: Civil/Electronics/Mechanical/

Assessment details
Title Sieve analysis test and Group assignment YES / NO
hydrometer analysis test If yes, Group No.
Lecturer/ Instructor Date of Performance
Due date Date submitted

Student statement and signature

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Details of the student/s submitting the assignment Signature

ID Number Name (As per the institute records )

EN21433238 Achalanka T.N.K

OFFICE USE ONLY

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(seal, signature, date) for improvement)

Tutor: Signature: Date:

Marks: [ All marks are subject to external moderation and approval of board of
examinations]
 SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1
(CE2811)

Sieve analysis test and hydrometer

analysis test

Name: Achalanka T.N.K……………………...

Student ID : EN21433238……………………..
Group : F………………..
SIEVE ANALYSIS TEST

Title:
Sieve analysis test.

Objective:
• To obtain the particle size distribution curve.
• To determine its coefficient of uniformly (Cu) and coefficient of concavity (Cc).

Introduction:
To determine the particle size distribution of a granular material with macroscopic granular sizes, a
sieve analysis test is utilized. Several layers of sieves with various grades and sizes of sieve
openings are used in the sieve analysis procedure. The particle size distribution can have an
impact on a wide range of qualities, including concrete strength, mixture solubility, surface area
attributes, and even flavor, so sieve examination is crucial when examining materials.
A successful method for assessing particle size distribution in the past was the sieve analysis test
procedure. One benefit of sieve analysis is the capacity to separate particle size fractions. Other
benefits include simple handling, low investment costs, accurate results in a reasonable period of
time, and quick turnaround.

Materials and Apparatus:

➢ Set of sieves {2.36mm, 1.70mm, 1.18mm, 0.85, 0.60mm, 0.425mm, 0.25mm and 0.075mm}

Figure 1
➢ Sieve shaker

Figure 2

➢ Sample splitter large evaporation dishes

Figure 3
➢ Spatula

Figure 4

➢ Brush

Figure 5

➢ Balance sensitive to 0.1 g

Figure 6
 ➢ Mortar and pestle

Figure 7

Theory:

Sieve analysis consists of Sharking the soil through a stack of wire screens (sieves) with openings
of known sizes. The definition of particle diameter for a sieves test is, therefore, the side dimension
of a square hole of relevant sieve. Sieve analysis is not suitable for the soil samples, in which a
large portion of the soil particles is smaller than 0.075mm (75µm) in size (passing through the
No.200 sieve). In such cases, the hydrometer analysis is used to define the particle - size
distribution.

Weight of soil retained = (weight of soil + Sieve) – Weight of sieve)

Percentage retained on any sieve = (Weight of soil retained x 100) / ( Total soil weight)

Cumulative percentage retained on any sieve =sum of percentages retained on the sieve

An indication of the spread of particle size is given by the coefficient on uniformity (Cu), Which is
calculated as,

Cu = D60 / D10

The coefficient of concavity (Cc) is a measure of the shape of the curve between the D60 and D10
grain size and is defined as,

Cc = (D30)2 / D10 X D60

Where,

Effective size (D10) = diameter in the particle size distribution curve corresponding to 10% finer.

D60= diameter corresponding to 60% finer.

D30= diameter corresponding to 30% finer.

Procedures:

➢ First, the soil sample was oven dried and allowed it to cool

➢ Next, the weight of sample was measured.

➢ Then, the weight of the sieves were also measured.

➢ After that, the stack of sieves was arranged in order to largest mesh opening is at the top
and the smallest is at the bottom.

➢ Then, the pan was attached at the bottom of sieves.

➢ Next, the sample on the top sieve was poured and the cover plate was added to avoid and
loss of particles while shaking.

➢ After, the stack of sieve was placed on the mechanical shaker, and start the shaker and
keep it about 10 minutes.

➢ Finally, the weight of each sieves with the remaining samples were measured by using the
balance.
Observations:
Calculations:
Results:

From this graph, we can not find the D10 value. So, it is impossible to find the Coefficient
of uniformity and the coefficient of concavity. So, we have use the hydrometer analysis to
find it.
Discussion:
References:
Alibaba.com. 2022. 0.1g 0.01g Lab Analytical Electronic Balance Digital Sensitive Weighing Scales Manufacture
Digital Weight Machine - Buy Digital Weight Machine,Digital Sensitive Weighing Scales Manufacture,0.1g 0.01g
Electronic Balance Product on Alibaba.com. [online] Available at: <https://www.alibaba.com/product-
detail/0-1g-0-01g-lab-analytical_62132503833.html> [Accessed 31 August 2022].

Amazon.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Mesh-Sieve-

Set/dp/B004L5CLWA> [Accessed 31 August 2022].

Laboratory-apparatus.com. 2022. Beaker Brush Laboratory Brush Reagent Bottle Brush Science Product Lab
Consumables | Laboratory Apparatus,Science Lab Equipment,Teaching Materials,Lab Supplies
Manufacturer,Supplier & Exporter - https://laboratory-apparatus.com. [online] Available at:
<https://laboratory-apparatus.com/product/beaker-brush-laboratory-brush-reagent-bottle-brush-
science-product-lab-consumables> [Accessed 31 August 2022].

SHAKERS, S. and operated, S., 2022. Sieve shaker motor operated. [online] Matest.com. Available at:
<https://www.matest.com/en/product/a060-01-sieve-shaker-motor-operated> [Accessed 31 August
2022].

Wiltshire Australia. 2022. Silicone Spatula. [online] Available at:

<https://wiltshire.com.au/products/silicone-spatula?variant=19973820088390> [Accessed 31 August
2022].