KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

NAME :MICHAEL NDUNGU

REG. NO: J25/1161/2020

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

BSc. AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED ON : 02/08/2024

SUPERVISED BY: BONIFACE MULIRO

ANNROSE MWANGI
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY DEPARTMENT

TRIAXIAL SOIL TESTS

Purpose of the Triaxial test

1. To measure the mechanical properties of the soil shear stress)

2. Finding the soil cohesion(c) and Angle of internal friction (9)
3. It can measure the total, as well as the effective stress parameters, and can be conducted on
any type of soil.
4. It can also be used to determine other variables such as stiffness and permeability

INTRODUCTION
 The strength of the soil (stress and strain) analysis is important in agricultural fields
where mechanized irrigation is applicable.
 Stability of the soils gives an indication of resistance to erosion by water and wind and
ultimately on the traffic ability and floatation of filed machinery. This guide in machinery
selection suitable for the given soil condition under irrigated field environments.
 To carry out a comprehensive soil strength analysis, the use of DIGITAL TRIAXIAl
EQUIPMENT was adopted
 The triaxial test is performed on a cylindrical core soil or rock sample to determine its
shear strength.
 The Triaxial test attempts to replicate the in-situ stresses (stresses in the original place the
soil sample was taken from)
Apparatus

Sieves, weigh balance, mallet, cylindrical molder, digital triaxial equipment, rubber rings

PROCEDURES OR METHODOLOGY

1. A Soil sample is passed through a 2mm sieve. It is covered from the top to avoid dust and
other foreign material from getting in the sieve.
2. Weigh 200g for one sample of the sieved soil sample collected in the pan.
3. Use 40 mm of water and mould the soil sample into a cylindrical block.
4. Why 200g of the sample of soil and 40ml of water? The mixture givers a good moisture
content without wastage of both water and Soil.
5. The ratio of diameter to height of the cylindrical mould should be 1:2 ie 38mm diameter
and 76mm height.
6. When molding smear oil at the inner surface of the molder to prevent the sample from
sticking on the molder. Use a mallet to dismantle sample from the molder.
7. Weigh the soil sample after dismantling of from the molder and record it as the Initial
weight of specimen.
8. Also record the height and the diameter of the sample.
9. The molded soil sample is confining a cylindrical soil or rock specimen in a pressurized
cell to simulate a stress condition and then shearing to failure, in order to determine the
 shear strength Properties of the sample. Most triaxial tests are performed on high quality
undisturbed specimens.
10. The soil sample is subjected to pressure all round from top, bottom and all sides to
determine its at what pressure it will deform. A soil sample may bulge or form a shear
lining as a sign of failure or slide against each other.
11. After failure the sample weight is weighed again and it's weight, height and diameter
recorded.
12. It's effective to carry out triaxial test using three samples from one point.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Triaxial Test Data.

PIT 1 (50-100cm)d
Innitial height,
76mm,
Innitial weight,
143.39
Chamber pressure= 50Kpa. Rate of axial strain=0.5
mm/min

Proving Ring Calibration, 0.003KN Diam. 38mm

Elapsed Deformation Axial X-sectional Proving Applied Axial LOAD(KN) UNIT AXIAL
Time Dial. Strain(ε) area(mm2) ring Dial (6)= LOAD(Kpa) (7)
(Min (5)xProv. ring Callib.
(1) ΔL(mm) (2) (3)=ΔL/L0 (4) = Ao/(1-ε) (mm) (5) (0.003KN/mm) = (6)/(4) (KPA)
0 0 0 86227.429 0 0 0
1.13 0.5 0.006578947 86798.471 35 0.105 1.2097E-06
2.3 1 0.013157895 87377.128 70 0.21 2.40337E-06
3.4 1.5 0.019736842 87963.551 80 0.24 2.7284E-06
4.46 2 0.026315789 88557.900 94 0.282 3.18436E-06
5.5 2.5 0.032894737 89160.334 104 0.312 3.49931E-06
6.5 3 0.039473684 89771.022 114 0.342 3.80969E-06
 7.5 3.5 0.046052632 90390.132 122 0.366 4.04911E-06
8.48 4 0.052631579 91017.841 130 0.39 4.28487E-06
9.42 4.5 0.059210526 91654.330 130 0.39 4.25512E-06
10.43 5 0.065789474 92299.783 125 0.375 4.06285E-06
11.5 5.5 0.072368421 92954.391 120 0.36 3.87287E-06

PIT 1 (50-100cm)
Initial height, 76mm,
Initial weight, 138.28
Chamber pressure= 100Kpa. Rate of axial strain=0.5
mm/min

Proving Ring Calibration, 0.003KN Diam. 38mm

Elapsed Deformation Axial X-sectional Proving Applied Axial LOAD(KN) UNIT AXIAL
Time Dial. Strain(ε) area(mm2) ring Dial (6) = LOAD(Kpa) (7)
(Min (5)xProv. ring Callib.
(1) ΔL(mm) (2) (3)=ΔL/L0 (4) = Ao/(1-ε) (mm) (5) (0.003KN/mm) = (6)/(4) (KPA)
0 0 0 86227.429 0 0 0
1.10 0.5 0.006578947 86798.471 41 0.123 1.41708E-06
2.30 1 0.013157895 87377.128 80 0.24 2.74671E-06
3.38 1.5 0.019736842 87963.551 91 0.273 3.10356E-06
4.40 2 0.026315789 88557.900 100 0.3 3.38761E-06
5.42 2.5 0.032894737 89160.334 109 0.327 3.66755E-06
6.41 3 0.039473684 89771.022 118 0.354 3.94337E-06
7.42 3.5 0.046052632 90390.132 126 0.378 4.18187E-06
8.40 4 0.052631579 91017.841 136 0.408 4.48264E-06
9.41 4.5 0.059210526 91654.330 141 0.423 4.61517E-06
10.42 5 0.065789474 92299.783 150 0.45 4.87542E-06
11.40 5.5 0.072368421 92954.391 150 0.45 4.84108E-06
12.44 6 0.078947368 93618.351 144 0.432 4.61448E-06
13.46 6.5 0.085526316 94291.864 130 0.39 4.13609E-06

PIT 1 (50-100cm)
Initial height, 75mm,
Initial weight, 133.46
Chamber pressure= 200Kpa. Rate of axial strain=0.5
mm/min
Proving Ring Calibration, 0.003KN Diam. 38mm
Elapsed Deformation Axial X-sectional Proving Applied Axial LOAD(KN) UNIT AXIAL
Time Dial. Strain(ε) area(mm2) ring Dial (6) = LOAD(Kpa) (7)
(Min (5)xProv. ring Callib.
(1) ΔL(mm) (2) (3)=ΔL/L0 (4) = Ao/(1-ε) (mm) (5) (0.003KN/mm) = (6)/(4) (KPA)
0 0 0 85092.857 0 0 0
1.15 0.5 0.006578947 85656.386 45 0.135 1.57606E-06
2.2 1 0.013157895 86227.429 85 0.255 2.9573E-06
3.3 1.5 0.019736842 86806.136 95 0.285 3.28318E-06
4.31 2 0.026315789 87392.664 104 0.312 3.57009E-06
5.34 2.5 0.032894737 87987.172 111 0.333 3.78464E-06
6.38 3 0.039473684 88589.824 123 0.369 4.16526E-06
7.4 3.5 0.046052632 89200.788 130 0.39 4.37216E-06
8.41 4 0.052631579 89820.238 141 0.423 4.70941E-06
9.42 4.5 0.059210526 90448.352 145 0.435 4.80937E-06
10.44 5 0.065789474 91085.312 155 0.465 5.1051E-06
11.43 5.5 0.072368421 91731.307 163 0.489 5.33079E-06
12.45 6 0.078947368 92386.531 170 0.51 5.52029E-06
13.44 6.5 0.085526316 93051.182 178 0.534 5.73878E-06
14.4 7 0.092105263 93725.466 171 0.513 5.47343E-06
15.41 7.5 0.098684211 94409.593 162 0.486 5.14778E-06
 Axial strain against applied axial load
0.6

0.5

0.4
Axial Strain(ε)

0.3

0.2

0.1

Applied Axial LOAD(KN)

Applied Axial LOAD(KN) (6)= (5)xProv. ring Callib. (0.003KN/mm) @50kpa

Applied Axial LOAD(KN) (6) = (5)xProv. ring Callib. (0.003KN/mm) @100kpa
Applied Axial LOAD(KN) (6) = (5)xProv. ring Callib. (0.003KN/mm) @200kpa

CONSOLIDATION

The consolidation stage is used to bring the specimen to the effective stress state required for
shearing. It is typically conducted by increasing the cell pressure while maintaining a constant
back pressure. This process is continued until the volume change (AV) of the specimen is no
longer significant and at least 95% of the excess pore pressure has dissipated. The consolidation
response can also be used to estimate a suitable rate of strain when shearing cohesive specimens.

SHEARING

The soil is sheared by applying an axial strain, a, to the test specimen at a constant rate through
upward (compression) or downward (extension) movement of the load frame platen. This rate,
along with the specimen drainage condition, is dependent on the type of triaxial test being
performed. Specimen response during the shear stage is typically monitored by plotting the
deviator stress q or effective principal stress ratio (01/03) against the axial strain, ca.
This stage is continued until ar specified failure criterion has been reached, which may include
identifying the peak deviator stress or peak effective principal stress ratio; observing the constant
stress and excess pore pressure/volume change values; or simply reaching a specific value of
axial strain

REFERENCES
1. Bardet, J.-P. (1997). Experimental Soil Mechanics. Prentice Hall. ISBN 978-0-13- 374935-9.
2. Head. K.H. (1998). Effective Stress Tests, Volume 3. Manual of Soil Laboratory Testing (2nd
ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-97795-7.
3. Holtz, R.D., Kovacs, W.D. (1981). An Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. Prentice-
Hall, Inc. ISBN 0-13-484394-0,
4. Price, D.G. (2009). De Freitas, M.H. (ed.). Engineering Geology: Principles and Practice,
Springer. p. 450. ISBN 978-3-540-29249-4.

5. Goodman, R.E. (1989), Introduction to Rock Mechanics. Wiley; 2 editions. p. 576, ISBN 978-
0-471-81200-5.

ATTERBERG LIMITS (LIQUID LIMIT TEST)

OBJECTIVES
This lab is performed to determine the plastic and liquid limits of a fine-grained soil. Can be used
to determine the strength and the permeability of the soil sample.
It can also be used to Forecast the settlement of a structure

INTRODUCTION

Liquid Limit (LL) - the water content, in percent, at which a part of soil in a standard cup and cut
by a groove standard dimensions will flow back together at the base of the groove for a distance
of 13mm (0.5 inch). When subjected to 25 shocks from the cup bring dropped 10mm in a
standard liquid limit apparatus operated at a rate of two shocks per second.

Plastic index of different type of soil

1. Sandy soils, 0 Non plastic and non-cohesive.
2. Silt soils, <7-low plasticity and partly cohesive.
3. Silt clay soils, 7-17-medium plasticity and and cohesive.
4. Clay soils, >17-high plasticity and cohesive.

ATTERBERG LIMITS

Atterberg limits are the individual tests for liquid and plastic states
Liquid limit (LL) - boundary between the liquid and plastic state
Plastic limit (PL) - boundary between the liquid and the semi-solid state
Shrinkage limit (SL) - boundary between the semi solid state and the solid state
Plasticity index (PL)-liquid limit-plastic limit
PI-LL-PL

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SITE SELECTION

1. Location and accessibility

2. Access to utility and raw materials
3. Knowing your competitors
4. Studying the building ie land surrounding the site
5. Landscape, land size, land shape and land topography
Site selection - is the process of collecting information, assessment of data and reporting
potential hazards beneath a site which are unknown

OBJECTIVES OF SITE SELECTION.

1. To determine the nature and sequence of strata

2. To determine the ground water conditions at the site
3. To determine the physical properties of soil and rock underlying the site,
4. To determine the mechanical properties of soil such as strength, permeability or rock strata

APPARATUS

Casagrande Apparatus, weigh balance, oven,

METHODOLOGY

1. make a semi solid paste using the Casagrande apparatus.

2. make a groove between the semicircular soil sample
3. Turn the hand of the Apparatus at the rate of two blows per second which apply blows to
the grooved soil pat.
4. Repeat turning the hand of the until the two halves of the soil pat comes into contact the
groove should close by flow of soil and not by slippage of it. And is slippage occurring
then we should discard the soil pat and re-do the whole procedure.
5. 25 blows is the determinant.
6. About 10 gm of soil near the closed groove is taken and put in a oven for 24 hours to the
the moisture content.
7. Before taking it in the oven it's mass is weighed (wet mass) and after drying in the oven
it's also weighed and it's mass records as dry mass
Moisture content wet mass=dry mass
Hence the experiment is repeated three more times after adding more water to the soil and each
time recording the number of blows to close the groove and determining the corresponding
moisture content after drying it in the oven.
Soil with low water content would yield more number of blows as the soil paste will be stiffer
and soil with higher water content would yield less number of blows.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

We plot a graph between these experimentally obtained values of number of blows and their
corresponding water content. Number of blows are plotted on log scale. Soil with low water
content would yield more number of blows as the soil paste will be stiffer and soil with higher
water content would yield less number of blows.

REFERENCES

1.Soil Physical Properties--Mechanics

2. Seed, H.B. (1967). "Fundamental Aspects of the Atterberg Limits", Journal of Soil Mechanics
and Foundations Div., 92(SM4), Retrieved from FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE
ATTERBERG LIMITS
3.Das, B. M. (2006). Principles of geotechnical engineering. Stamford, CT:
TITLE: EVALUATION OF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

OBJECTIVES
To compute the uniformity of coefficient and distribution of a drip irrigation system

APPARATUS
Water reservoir, Mains and sub mains, Laterals, Containers, measuring cylinders, Stop watch

INTRODUCTION
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land to fulfill or supplement the naturally
available moisture in the rootzone of the soil for the purpose of Agricultural production at known
intervals

Types of irrigation

1. Surface irrigation - carried out through an open surface example furrow, Basin(flood),
Sprinkler and drip irrigation
2. Sub surface irrigation - a low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip
tubes or drip tape to meet crop water needs.
Main Irrigation systems

1. Surface irrigation - Water is applied and distributed over the soil surface by gravity.
It's the Most common form of irrigation
Common surface irrigation methods - basin irrigation - furrow irrigation -border irrigation.
2. Drip irrigation - type of micro-irrigation system that has the potential to the save water and
nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the root of the plants

advantages of drip irrigation

1. High efficiency
2. Water is not lost
3. Low nutrient loss
4. Ability to use recycled water
5. Low labor
6. Preferred on windy conditions and saline water
7. Reduction of salt build up as a result of irrigation (salinity)
8. Help to control crop weeds by chocking them.
9. Easy to design
10. Soil type plays a less importance in this type of irrigation.
11. Most suitable for saline water.

disadvantages of drip system

1. Needs high technical know how

2. Clogging of the pipes
3. Expensive initial cost
4. Sunlight can affect the tubes
3. Sprinkler irrigation- type of irrigation where water is sprayed into the air and allowef to fall on
the ground surface.

ADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. Applicable on any type of soil.

2. Water is free from sediments
3. Moderate sophisticated
4. Moderate labor requirement
5. Preferred for high value crops

Types of Sprinkler irrigation system

Rotating Sprinkler head, Centre pivot, Linear move, Drag or hose reel system, Mobile railgun
and Side rolls

Conditions favoring choice of Sprinkler system

1. Best suited for sandy soils

2. Independent from the topography
3. Preferred in areas with water scarcity
4. Suitable for high value crops
5. Low labor requirement.

MORE ON DRIP IRRIGATION:

Also known as trickle irrigation, It involves dripping water slowly at very low rate of
approximately 2.291. per hour from a system of small diameter plastic pipes, fitted with outlets
called emitters or drippers. High efficiencies of up to 90% are achieved

COMPONENTS OF A DRIP SYSTEM.

1. Source of water or reservoir eg dam, river and tank

2. Hydrants Water regulations in an irrigation system. Has gate valves
3. Water pumps
4. Nutrients tank für application of fertilizers and farming chemicals
5. Filtration system
6. Main pipes
7. Sub mains (laterals)
8. Emitters
9. Flash valves, located at the end of the drip irrigation system
ENVIRONMENTAL/CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE SETTING UP A DRIP SYSTEM

1. System layout - entails map of:

 Head works (where you get your pressure from)
 Pipe layout (mains and submains)
 Topography and aeration of land
 Emitters discharge
 Crop type or crop history
 Soil type (structure and texture)
 Soil water infiltration rate

METHODOLOGY
1. Clearly mark the grid layout of the stations ie. Positions placement for the containers
around the laterals
2. Level each container by numbering them
3. Place the containers on the grid established above
4. Start the drip system and the stopwatch simultaneously
5. Allow the drip to run for a given period of time in this case 15 minutes to allow water to
collect in the container then shut down the system
6. Measure the amount of water in each container using a graduated cylinder
7. Enter the data for the volume collected in the table below.

DISCUSSIONS

Average volume(M)=43.96
Intensity of Determination

Intensity for any given station can be determined from the formula below

Intensity (1)= Q(AT) 300

Q-volume of water in each container

A-area of container
1-intensity (mm/h)

To get the average intensity, compute the Sum of intensities for all the stations band divide by
the Number of stations

DISCUSSION

Coefficient of uniformity is given by;

Cu= 100* ((1-sum of (X)/mean X)

= 100*(1-146.8697)/43.96- 296.90
.4 INFILTRATION MEASUREMENTS

OBJECTIVES

To help understand the concept of infiltration so as to apply that concept in design of irrigation,
soil erosion control and water harvesting works.

INTRODUCTION

The infiltration rate is the velocity or speed at which water enters into the soil. It is usually
measured by the depth (in mm) of the water layer that can enter the soil in one hour. In dry soil,
water infiltrates rapidly. This is called the initial infiltration rate. As more water replaces the air
in the pores, the water from the soil surface infiltrates more slowly and eventually reaches a
steady rate. This is called the basic infiltration rate.
The infiltration rate depends on:
1. soil texture (the size of the soil particles)
2. soil structure (the arrangement of the soil particles and is a useful way of categorizing
soils from an irrigation point of view
The most common method to measure the infiltration rate is by a field test using a cylinder or
ring infiltrometer as in this experiment.

APPARATUS

1.Concentric rings
2.Hardwood timber
3.Stop watch
4. Float and scale
5.Spirit level
6. Water tanks and buckets
7.Sledge hammer

PROCEDURE

1. Hammer the 30 cm diameter ring at least 15 cm into the soil. Use the timber to protect the
ring from damage during hammering. Keep the side of the ring vertical and drive a ruler
into the soil so that approximately 12 cm is left above the ground
2. Hammer the 60 cm ring into the soil or construct an earth bund around the 30 cm ring to
the same height as the ring.
3. Start the test by pouring water into the ring until the depth is approximately 70-100 mm.
At the same time, add water to the space between the two rings or the ring and the bund
to the same depth. Do this quickly.
4. The water in the bund or within the two rings is to prevent a lateral spread of water from
the infiltrometer.
5. Record the clock time when the test begins and note the water level on the measuring rod.
 6. After 2 minutes, record the drop in water level in the inner ring on the measuring rod and
add water to bring the level back to approximately the original level at the start of the
test.
7. Record the water level. Maintain the water level outside the ring similar to that inside.
8. Continue the test until the drop in water level is the same over the same time interval.
9. Take readings frequently (e.g. every 2 minutes) at the beginning of the test, but extend
the interval between readings as the time goes on.
Note that at least two infiltration tests should be carried out at a site to make sure that the correct
results are obtained.

SET UP

Results and Discussion

Infiltration table (Surface Infiltration)

Time(min) Reading Depth Area(cm2) Volume(cm3) Time(hr) Infiltration Cumulative

0 10.3 - 641.44 - - - -
2 12.2 1.9 1237.736 1/30 57 57
4 14.5 2.2 1433.168 1/15 33 90
6 17.1 2.6 1693.744 0.1 26 116
8 18.2 1.1 716.584 2/15 8.25 124.25
10 19.3 1.1 716.584 1/6 6.6 130.85
12 20.3 1.0 651.44 0.2 5 135.85
14 21.3 1.0 651.44 7/30 4.286 140.136
16 22.3 1.0 651.44 4/15 3.75 143.886
INFILTRATION & CUMULATIVE INFILTRATION AGAINST TIME GRAPH

Chart Title
160
140
120
INFILTRATION

100
80
60
40
20
0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
TIME

INFILTRATION RATE - CUMULATIVE INFILTRATION -

SIEVE ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this test is to determine the relative proportions of different granular sizes as
they are passing through certain sieve sizes. Thus, the percentage of sand, gravel, silt and clay
can be obtained

INTRODUCTION

The grain size analysis test is performed to determine the percentage of each size of grain that is
contained within a soil sample, and the results of the test can be used to produce the grain size
distribution curve. This information is used to classify the soil and to predict its behavior. The
two methods generally used to find the grain size distribution are:

• Sieve analysis which is used for particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter and
Hydrometer analysis which is used for particle sizes smaller than 0.075 mm in diameter Sieve
analysis is a method that is used to determine the grain size distribution of soils that are greater
than 0.075 mm in diameter. It is usually performed for sand and gravel but cannot be used as the
sole method for determining the grain size distribution of finer soil. The sieves used in this
method are made of woven wires with square openings. The list of the U.S. standard sieve
numbers with their corresponding opening sizes are provided

Apparatus
1. Stack of sieves with a cover,
2. Mortar and pestle or a mechanical soil pulverized
3. Balance, sensitive to 0.1 g
4. Oven
5. Mechanical sieve shaker
6. Brush
METHOD
1.Obtain a representative oven-dried soil sample.
2. Pulverize the soil sample as finely as possible, using a mortar and pestle or a mechanical soil
pulverize.
3. Obtain a soil sample of about 500 g and determine its mass WO (g).
4. Stack the sieves so that those with larger openings (lower numbers) are placed above those
with smaller openings (higher numbers). Place a pan under the last sieve (#200) to collect the
portion of soil passing through it. The #4 and #200 sieves should always be included in the stack
5. Make sure the sieves are clean, If soil particles are stuck in the openings, use a brush to poke
them out.
6. Weigh the pun and all of the sieves separately.
7. Pour the soil from above into the stack of sieve and place the cover on it. Put the stack in the
sieve shaker, affix the clamps, set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes, and start the shaker.
8. Stop the sieve shaker and measure the mass of each sieve and retained soil.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

PART 1
FIELD SIEVE SAMPLE+ AMOUNT % %
REF. SIEVE SIZE WT SIEVE WT RETAINED RETAINED PASSING
109.46 19.37 80.63
(0-10)
cm 8.000 565.02 674.48
42.64 7.7 72.93
355.19 4.000 553.75 596.39
41.49 7.55 65.38
2.000 549.38 590.87
42.89 8.43 56.95
1.000 508.62 551.48
43.36 8.73 48.22
0.500 496.45 539.81
30.82 6.79 41.43
0.250 454.18 485.00
22.34 7.33 34.1
0.150 304.71 327.05
16.62 3.80 30.3
0.063 436.94 453.56
1.92 0.73 29.57
0.053 264.39 266.31
2.43 0.90 28.67
0.038 268.77 271.20

PAN 565.87 567.12 1.25 0.22 28.45

PART 2
FIELD SIEVE SAMPLE+ SIEVE AMOUNT %
REF. SIEVE SIZE WT WT RETAINED % RETAINED PASSING
181.83 32.18 67.82
(10-20)
cm 8.000 565.02 746.85
67.3 12.15 55.67
460.43 4.000 553.75 621.05
49.02 8.9 46.77
2.000 549.38 598.40
40.59 7.98 38.79
1.000 508.62 549.21
41.43 8.35 30.44
0.500 496.45 537.88
36.31 7.99 22.45
0.250 454.18 490.49
20.29 6.66 15.79
0.150 304.71 325.00
20.1 4.60 11.19
0.063 436.94 457.04
1.63 0.617 10.573
0.053 264.39 266.02
1.67 0.621 9.952
0.038 268.77 270.44
0.26 0.046 9.906
PAN 565.87 566.13
PART 3

FIELD SIEVE SAMPLE+ AMOUNT % %

REF. SIEVE SIZE WT SIEVE WT RETAINED RETAINED PASSING
138.79 24.56 75.44
(20-
30) cm 8.000 565.02 703.81
78.9 14.25 51.19
377.28 4.000 553.75 632.65
55.13 10.03 51.16
2.000 549.38 604.51
33.71 6.63 44.53
1.000 508.62 542.33
32.39 6.52 38.01
0.500 496.45 528.84
20.96 4.61 33.4
0.250 454.18 475.14
8.47 2.78 30.62
0.150 304.71 313.18
6.18 1.41 29.21
0.063 436.94 443.12
0.98 0.37 28.84
0.053 264.39 265.37
1.5 0.56 28.18
0.038 268.77 270.27
0.27 0.048 28.232
PAN 565.87 566.14
PART 4

FIELD SIEVE SAMPLE+ SIEVE AMOUNT %

REF. SIEVE SIZE WT WT RETAINED % RETAINED PASSING
123.84 21.92 78.08
(30-
40)cm 8.000 565.02 688.86
118.06 21.32 56.76
429.06 4.000 553.75 671.81
60.58 11.03 45.73
2.000 549.38 609.96
29.24 5.75 39.98
1.000 508.62 537.86
37.79 7.61 32.37
0.500 496.45 534.24
37.9 8.34 24.03
0.250 454.18 492.08
11.86 3.89 20.14
0.150 304.71 316.57
7.47 1.71 18.43
0.063 436.94 444.41
1.14 0.43 18.0
0.053 264.39 265.53
1.09 0.41 17.59
0.038 268.77 269.86
0.09 0.016 17.574
PAN 565.87 565.96
DISCUSSION

SIEVE ANALYSIS GRAPHS

90
80
70
60
%PASSING

50
40
30
20
10
0
8.000 4.000 2.000 1.000 0.500 0.250 0.150 0.063 0.053 0.038 PAN
SIEVE SIZE

% PASSING(0-10) % PASSING(10-20)
% PASSING(20-30) % PASSING(30-40)

Limitations of Sieve Analysis

For materials finer than 150 µm, dry sieving can be significantly less accurate. This is because
the mechanical energy required to make particles pass through an opening and the surface
attraction effects between the particles themselves and between particles and the screen increase
as the particle sizes decreases. Wet sieving analysis can be utilized where the material analyzed
is not affected by the liquid – except to disperse it. Suspending the particles in a suitable liquid
transports fine material through the sieve much more efficiently than shaking the dry material.
Sieve analysis assumes that all particles will be round (spherical) or nearly so and will pass
through the square openings when the particle diameter is less than the size of the square opening
in the screen. For elongated and flat particles, a sieve analysis will not yield reliable mass-based
results, as the particle size reported will assume that the particles size reported will assume that
the particles are spherical, where in fact an elongated particle might pass through the screen
endon, but would be prevented from doing so if it presented itself side-on.