Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO

College of Engineering and Information Technology
Kabacan, Cotabato

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
(SOIL MECHANICS)
(CE 411-a)

LABORATORY NO. 4 – GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS

SUMAMPONG, KAREN M.
4 BSCE-B
 LABORATORY #4
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
(SIEVE ANALYSIS)

Purpose:
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different
grain sizes contained within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis
is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser, larger-
sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the
distribution of the finer particles.

Standard Reference:
ASTM D 422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size
Analysis of Soils

Significance:
The distribution of different grain sizes affects the engineering
properties of soil. Grain size analysis provides the grain size
distribution, and it is required in classifying the soil.

Equipment:
Balance, Set of sieves, Cleaning brush, Sieve shaker, Mixer
(blender)
Test Procedure:
Sieve Analysis:
(1) Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the
bottom pan to be used in the analysis.
(2) Record the weight of the given dry soil sample.

(3) Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and
assemble them in the ascending order of sieve
numbers (#4 sieve at top and #200 sieve at
bottom). Place the pan below #200 sieve. Carefully
 pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place
the cap over it.
(4) Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker
and shake for 10 minutes.
(5) Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully
weigh and record the weight of each sieve with its
retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and
record the weight of the bottom pan with its retained
fine soil.

Data Analysis:
Sieve Analysis:
(1) Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by
subtracting the weight of the empty sieve from the
mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this
mass as the weight retained on the data sheet. The
sum of these retained masses should be
approximately equals the initial mass of the soil
sample. A loss of more than two percent is
unsatisfactory.
(2) Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by
dividing the weight retained on each sieve by the
original sample mass.
(3) Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by
starting with 100 percent and subtracting the
percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative
procedure.
For example: Total mass = 500 g
Mass retained on No. 10 sieve = 39.5 g
 For the No.4 sieve:
Quantity passing = Total mass - Mass retained
= 500 - 9.7 = 490.3 g
The percent retained is calculated as;
% retained = Mass retained/Total mass
= (9.7/500) X 100 = 1.9 %
From this, the % passing = 100 - 1.9 = 98.1 %

For the No. 10 sieve:

Quantity passing = Mass arriving - Mass retained
= 490.3 - 39.5 = 450.8 g
% Retained = (39.5/500) X 100 = 7.9 %
% Passing = 100 - 1.9 - 7.9 = 90.2 %
(Alternatively, use % passing = % Arriving -
% Retained For No. 10 sieve = 98.1 - 7.9 =
90.2 %)

(4) Make a semilogarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent

finer.

(5) Compute Cc and Cu for the soil.

 Grain Size Analysis
Sieve Analysis

Date Tested: OCTOBER 08, 2024

Tested By: KAREN M. SUMAMPONG
Project Name: GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
Sample Number: 1
Visual Classification of Soil: CLAYISH BROWN

Weight of Container: 371

gm
Wt. Container+Dry Soil: 1415
gm
Wt. of Dry Sample: 1044
gm

Mass Mass of Soil

Sieve Diamet Percen Percen
of Containe Retaine
Numbe er t t
r (mm) Empt r +Soil d (g)
Retaine Passin
y Retained
(g) d g
Container
(g)
4 4.75 12 390 287 27.5 72.5
10 2. 0 103 414 311 30 42.5
20 0.84 103 324 221 21 21.5
40 0.42 103 187 84 8 13.5
5
60 0. 25 103 170 67 6 7.5
100 0.15 103 156 53 5 2.5
200 0.07 103 119 16 2 0.5
5
 Pan --- 108 5 0.5 0
Total Weight= 1044
* Percent passing=100-cumulative percent retained.

From Grain Size Distribution Curve:

% Gravel= 27.5 D10= 0.312mm
% Sand= 72 D30= 1.202mm
% Fines= 0.5 D60=3.313mm
C u= 10.62 C C= 1.40

Unified Classification of Soil: SW

COMPUTATION

Soil Retained = (mass of Percent Finer=

container+soil retained)- mass of total mass − cumulative mass
empty container
×100
total mass
Sieve No. 4
390g- 103g=287g Sieve No. 4
1044 −287
×100=72.5 g
1044
Sieve No.10
414g- 103g= 311g Sieve No.10
1044 −598
×100=42.5 g
Sieve No.20 1044
324g- 103g= 221g
Sieve No.20
1044 −819
×100=21.5 g
Sieve No.40 1044
187g- 103g= 84g
Sieve No.40
1044 −903
×100=13.5 g
Sieve No.60 1044
170g- 103g= 67g
Sieve No.60
1044 −970
Sieve No.100 ×100=7.5 g
1044
156g- 103g= 53g
Sieve No.100
1044 −1023
Sieve No.200 × 100=2.5 g
1044
119g- 103g= 16g
Sieve No.200
Pan
1044 −1039
108g- 103g= 5g × 100=0.5 g
1044

Pan
1044 −1044
×100=0 g
1044

% of Gravel (76.2mm- 4.75mm)= 100-72.5 = 27.5%

% of Sand (4.75mm- 0.075mm)= 72.5-0.5 = 72%
% of Fines (<0.075mm) = 0.5%

% Sand > % of Gravel ∴Sand

D60 3.313 0.5%< 5% Fines
Cu= = =10.62
D10 0.312 Cu=10.62 > 6
1 < Cc=1.40 <3 ∴SW
27% Gravel > 15% ∴Well- Graded Sand with Gravel
 2
( D30 )
( 1.202 )2
=1.40
Cc= =
D 60 × D10 0.312× 3.313

Particle Size Distribution Curve

100.0

90.0

80.0

70.0
Percent Finer

60.0 D60
50.0

40.0

30.0 D30
20.0

10.0 D10

0.0
4.75 2.00 0.84 0.25 0.15 0.075

Sieve Size (mm)

Passing (%)

Observation

To analyze the particle size distribution, the calculated data are plotted to

form the soil gradation curve. The percentage of soil particles passing through each

sieve size is plotted on the y-axis, while the corresponding particle diameter of

each sieve is plotted on the x-axis. By examining the graph and calculating the

percentage passing through specific sieve sizes, we employ linear interpolation to

determine the diameters at which 10%, 30%, and 60% of the soil particles pass

through the sieves, denoted as D10, D30, and D60, respectively. These calculated

diameters are then utilized to compute the grading characteristics: the Coefficient

of Curvature (Cc), also known as the coefficient of uniformity, and the Uniformity
Coefficient (Cu).
 Conclusion

Based on the given data, we can conclude that the soil sample is

predominantly composed of particles in the size range of 4.75 mm to 0.075 mm,

constituting 72.5% of the total sample. This indicates that the soil is likely to be a

well-graded sand or a poorly graded silty sand. The presence of a small

percentage (0.5%) of particles smaller than 0.075 mm suggests the presence of

fine-grained material, which could influence the soil's engineering properties, such

as its permeability and compressibility.

On the soil gradation curve, it is evident that the soil sample exhibits a

decreasing particle size distribution. This indicates that the soil contains a higher

proportion of finer particles compared to coarser particles. The calculated

Uniformity Coefficient (Cu) of 10.62 suggests that the soil possesses a wide range

of particle sizes, implying a well-graded soil. A well-graded soil typically exhibits

better engineering properties, such as stability and drainage characteristics. On the

other hand, the Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) of 1.40 further supports the well-

graded nature of the soil. A Cc value within the range of 1 to 3 is indicative of a

well-graded soil, which is desirable for various engineering applications.

It's important to note that without additional information such as the specific

gravity of the soil particles and the results of other laboratory tests, it is difficult to

make definitive conclusions about the soil's suitability for specific engineering

applications. However, based on the given grain size distribution, the soil appears

to have a reasonable range of particle sizes, which is generally beneficial for

engineering purposes.
 Grain size analysis is a crucial technique in geotechnical engineering as it

provides valuable insights into the physical properties of soils. By understanding

the distribution of particle sizes, engineers can assess the soil's permeability, shear

strength, compressibility, and other engineering properties. This information is

essential for designing and constructing various civil engineering structures, such

as foundations, roads, dams, and retaining walls

Documentation