Sieve Analysis
Done By:-
Nesreen Mahmoud 20220924
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1. Definition of Sieve analysis:-
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Sieve analysis is a test that determines the particle size distribution of materials,
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such50as soils, aggregates, and sands, by passing it through a series of sieves with
progressively
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smaller mesh sizes. The results provide a gradation curve, helping to
classify
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the soil.
2. Importance
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Soil Classification: Helps determine soil types, such as gravel, sand, silt, and clay, and their
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proportions. 0.01 0.1 1 10
Soil Stability: Well-graded soils (with a variety of particle sizes) generally have better
compaction properties and stability.
3. Steps of Sieve analysis test
Get a soil sample
Arrange the sieves in descending order, with the largest sieve at the top.
Place the soil sample in the top sieve and secure it in the mechanical shaker.
Once sieving is complete, weigh the soil retained on each sieve.
Calculate the percentage of soil retained on each sieve using the formula:
Percentage retained= (Weight of soil retained on sieve / Total weight of sample)*100
Then , Percentage passed=100-percentage retained “for each sieve”
plot the Gradation Curve[Plot the particle size distribution curve using a
semi-logarithmic scale, with sieve size on the logarithmic x-axis and
percentage passing on the y-axis.]
-:Example on sieve analysis:-
1.get a plate to put the sample in and measure its weight →Wempty=280gm
2.fill the plate with a soil sample and measure its weight →Wfilled=930gm
So, the total weight(Wt)=930-280=650gm
3.put the soil in the upper sieve and shake the sieves then pour each sieve content
separately into the same plate to measure its weight and clear the plate before put another
sieve’s content, the weights were :-
At: 5mm → 325gm , 40mm →640gm , 300mm →395gm , 150mm →380gm , 75mm →300gm
Then Subtract the weight of plate(280gm)from those weights.
5 mm→45gm , 40mm →355gm , 300mm →115gm , 150mm →100gm , 75mm →20gm
But when you sum those weights →45+355+115+100+20=635gm
Which is not equal to the total weight(650gm)
So ,silt+clay[at pan]=650-635=15gm →percentage retained of them=(15/650)*100=2.30%
Sieve size Wretained T.Wretained %retained %passed
5 45 45 6.9 93.1
0.425 355 400 61.5 38.5
0.3 115 515 79.2 20.8
0.15 100 615 94.6 5.4
0.075 20 635 97.6 2.4
To know the soil type , determine each material percentage
Silt[0.002→0.6] , sand[0.6→2] , gravel[2→60]
G=40% , M+C=2.4% , S=57.6% → the type of soil is gravel sandy soil with small percentage of silt
Arrange the sieves in descending order
measure the empty plate measure plate+soil sample
Shake
the sieves measure each sieve content’s weight
Parameters Derived from Sieve Analysis
Effective Size (D10): The particle size at which 10% of the sample passes.
Uniformity Coefficient (Cu): Indicates how well-graded the soil is, calculated as:Cu=D60/D10
“where D60 and D10 represent the particle sizes at 60% and 10% passing”
Cu>4: Well-graded soil for sands.
Cu<4: Uniformly graded soil for sands.
Coefficient of Gradation (Cc): Provides information on the soil’s particle distribution ,
calculated as:Cc=( D 30 ¿ ¿2/ (D10*D60)
For a well-graded soil, Cc typically ranges between 1 and 3.
For the example
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0.01 0.1 1 D60 10
D30
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