‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING CIVIL

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Soil
Mechanics I
Ahmed Alhaj Abdualgader
 Soil Particle Size Groups:

• Soil particles can be divided into two main groups:

• Coarse particles (Gravel & Sand) • Fine particles (Silt & Clay)
Soil Particle Shapes

Soil particles can be found in different shapes:

• Angular & Subangular (Cobbles, Gravel)
• Rounded & Subrounded (Gravel, Sand)
• Platy (Clay)
Clay particles under Scanning Electron Microscope
Soil Gradation:
•Distribution of particles within a soil.
Soils are either:
 Well graded – good distribution of particle sizes
 Poorly graded – bad distribution of particles sizes
 Uniformly graded – only one soil size
Gap graded – missing soil sizes
Soil Gradation :
 Soil Particle Size:

Four major categories:

 Cobbles – greater than 75mm
 Gravels – Passes a 3” sieve and retained on No.4 sieve
(approx. 4.75mm)
 Sands – Passes No.4 sieve and retained on No. 200 sieve
(0.075 mm)
 Fines – Passes No.200 sieve
Particle Size Distribution:
 The Particle Size Distribution (PSD) of soil is a list of values
or a mathematical function that defines the relative amount,
typically by mass, of soil particles present according to size.
 It affects the engineering properties of soil:
 For coarse soils (Compaction, Density and permeability)
 For Fine soils (Swelling, Plasticity)
Gradation Curves:

 Semi-log sheet, vertical axis passing percentage, horizontal axis

Gradation Coefficients:

 When less than 5% of a soil passes a No. 200

sieve, it has been observed that there are not
enough fines to significantly influence the
behaviour of the mix.
 The behaviour of such a mix will be influenced
primarily by grain distribution.
 The coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and the
coefficient of curvature (Cc) are used to determine
whether a particular sand or gravel should be
classified as well graded or poorly graded.
Uniformity Coefficient (Cu):
Curvature Coefficient (Cc):
Grain Size Analysis:

 Is the process of separating soil

particles into groups of different sizes.
 Coarse particles are tested using Sieve
Analysis.
 Fine particles are tested using
 Hydrometer (Sedimentation)
Sieve Analysis:

• Used for coarse disturbed soil.

• Consists of Sieves of different diameters.
• Sieves are arranged according to size, with the
coarsest sieve in the top, and the finest in the
bottom.
• Soil is passed through the sieves under vibration
(Manual or Automatic).
Sieve Analysis
Example:

Given the results of a

sieve on a sample of
soil, plot the particle
distribution curve.
solution
Hydrometer Analysis:

• To increase the interparticle repulsion dispersing agent

is added (Sodium Hexametaphosphate).
Effective Depth(L):

The effective depth (L)

is the distance from
water surface to centre
of gravity of the
hydrometer bulb.
The value of (K):

(K) is a function of specific gravity and water

properties (viscosity and density) which is a
function of temperature
Percentage of Soil in Suspension: