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Geotechnical Laboratory (C3003) : Lab 3: Grain Size Distribution (Sieve Analysis) 1. Objective

This document provides details on conducting a grain size distribution analysis, also called a sieve analysis, which is used to classify soils. It lists the standard sieves used according to size of openings. The procedure involves breaking up a soil sample, sieving it using a stack of sieves from largest to smallest size, weighing the amount retained on each sieve, and calculating the percentage passing through each sieve to determine the soil grain size distribution.

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131 views3 pages

Geotechnical Laboratory (C3003) : Lab 3: Grain Size Distribution (Sieve Analysis) 1. Objective

This document provides details on conducting a grain size distribution analysis, also called a sieve analysis, which is used to classify soils. It lists the standard sieves used according to size of openings. The procedure involves breaking up a soil sample, sieving it using a stack of sieves from largest to smallest size, weighing the amount retained on each sieve, and calculating the percentage passing through each sieve to determine the soil grain size distribution.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Zaki
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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GEOTECHNICAL LABORATORY (C3003)

LAB 3: GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION (SIEVE ANALYSIS)

1. OBJECTIVE
The classification of soil for engineering purposes requires the distribution of grain
seizes in a given soil mass. Using sieve analysis one can determine the grain size
distribution of soils and classify the soil into sands and gravels. Sieves are made of
woven wires with square openings which decreased in size as the sieve number
increased, this allow the grain to be sorted by size. Table 1 gives a list of the U.S.
standard sieve number with the corresponding size of opening.

Sieve No. Opening (mm) Sieve No. Opening (mm)


4 4.75 35 0.500
5 4.00 40 0.425
6 3.35 45 0.355
7 2.80 50 0.300
8 2.36 60 0.250
10 2.00 70 0.212
12 1.70 80 0.180
14 1.40 100 0.150
16 1.18 120 0.125
18 1.00 140 0.106
20 0.85 200 0.075
25 0.71 270 0.053
30 0.60 400 0.038

2. EQUIPMENT
 Sieves. A bottom pan and cover.
 Sieves size as per table.
 A scale sensitive up to 0.1 g.
 Mortar and rubber-tipped pestle.
 Mechanical sieve shaker.

Sieves. A bottom pan and cover Sieves size as per table

1
A Scale sensitive up to 0.1 g Mortar and rubber-tipped pestle

Mechanical sieve shaker

3. PROCEDURE

2
1) Collect are representative oven a dry sample. Sample having largest particles of
size of No. 4(4.75mm) should be about 250 grams. For soil having largest
particles or size greater 4.75 mm larger weights are needed.
2) Break the soil sample into individual particles using a mortar and rubber-tipped
pastels. (The idea is to break up the soil into individual particles, not to be break
the particles themselves.)
3) Determine the mass of the sample accurately to 0.1g (W)
4) Prepare a stack sieve. A sieve with larger openings is placed above a sieve with
smaller openings. The sieve at the bottom should be No.200.As mentioned
before the sieves that are generally used in a stack are
Nos.4,8,16,30,40,50,70,100 and 200.
5) Pour the soil prepared in step 2 into the stack of sieves from the top.
6) Placed the cover on the top on the stack of sieves.
7) Run the stack of sieves shaker for about 5 minutes.
8) Stop the sieves and the shaker and remove the stack of sieves.
9) Weight of the amount soil retained on each sieve and the bottom pan.

4. DATA
Weight (W) of oven dry sample, W: g

Sieve Sieve Weight of Weight of Weight of Weight of Percentage


numbers Opening sieve and sieve soil retained soil passing (%)
(mm) aggregate (g) on each passing
(g) sieve (g) from each
B A B–A sieve
(g)
4 4.750 478 450 28 223 89
8 2.360 436 403 33 190 76
16 1.180 539 489 50 140 56
30 0.600 531 477 54 86 34
40 0.425 430 409 21 65 26
50 0.300 409 391 18 47 19
70 0.212 417 403 14 33 13
100 0.150 382 371 11 22 9
200 0.075 393 380 13 9 4
PAN 330 321 9 0 0
∑ 251
Weight loss during Sieve analysis: grams = %

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