QUESTION (2) Sieve Analysis Solution
The question requires solving a sieve analysis problem based on given data. Let's go
through each part of the question step by step as an expert in soil mechanics and
foundations.
Given the data:
Sieve Number Sieve Diameter (mm) Weight Retained (gm)
4 4.75 29
10 2.00 41
20 0.85 48
40 0.425 128
60 0.250 221
100 0.150 86
200 0.075 40
Pan - 24
Total Weight = 29 + 41 + 48 + 128 + 221 + 86 + 40 + 24 = 617 gm
Step 2: Percent Retained and Cumulative Percent Passing
We need to calculate the percentage of weight retained on each sieve and then find the
cumulative percent passing.
Percent Retained = (Weight Retained / Total Weight) * 100
Percent Passing = 100 - Cumulative Percent Retained
Sieve Sieve Weight Percent Cumulative Percent
Number Diameter Retained Retained Percent Passing (%)
(mm) (gm) (%) Retained
(%)
4 4.75 29 4.70 4.70 95.30
10 2.00 41 6.64 11.34 88.66
20 0.85 48 7.78 19.12 80.88
40 0.425 128 20.74 39.86 60.14
60 0.250 221 35.82 75.68 24.32
100 0.150 86 13.94 89.62 10.38
200 0.075 40 6.48 96.10 3.90
Pan - 24 3.89 100 0
Step 3: Grain Size Distribution Curve
X-Axis: Grain size in mm (logarithmic scale)
Y-Axis: Percent passing (linear scale)
To draw the grain size distribution curve, you will plot the sieve diameters on the X-axis and
the corresponding percent passing values on the Y-axis.
Step 4: Classification Using the MIT System
Based on the MIT system, the soil components are classified into:
- Gravel: Particles larger than 2.00 mm
- Sand: Particles between 2.00 mm and 0.075 mm
- Fines (Silt & Clay): Particles smaller than 0.075 mm
From the table above, we can calculate:
1. Gravel = 100 - Percent Passing at 2 mm = 100 - 88.66 = 11.34%
2. Sand = Percent Passing at 2 mm - Percent Passing at 0.075 mm = 88.66 - 3.90 = 84.76%
3. Fines = 3.90%
Step 5: Determining Effective Diameter D10, D30, and D60
The effective diameters represent the particle sizes at which 10%, 30%, and 60% of the soil
sample are finer by weight, as interpreted from the grain size distribution curve.
From the data, we estimate:
- D10 ≈ 0.16 mm
- D30 ≈ 0.28 mm
- D60 ≈ 0.42 mm
Step 6: Calculating Uniformity Coefficient (Cu) and Coefficient of
Curvature (Cc)
Uniformity Coefficient (Cu) = D60 / D10 = 0.42 / 0.16 = 2.63
Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) = (D30)^2 / (D10 * D60) = (0.28)^2 / (0.16 * 0.42) = 1.17
Step 7: Soil Description Based on Results
- Gravel: 11.34%
- Sand: 84.76%
- Fines (Silt & Clay): 3.90%
- Uniformity Coefficient (Cu): 2.63 (Poorly graded)
- Coefficient of Curvature (Cc): 1.17 (Acceptable range for well-graded soil)
Based on the results, the soil is classified as poorly graded sand (SP) according to the USCS
classification system, as the Cu value is less than 4, indicating a poor gradation.
Complete Soil Description
Based on the results from the sieve analysis and the calculated soil properties, here is the
complete soil description:
• Soil Classification (USCS):
o SP – Poorly Graded Sand
o The soil consists primarily of sand particles with minimal gravel and fines
(silt and clay).
• Grain Size Distribution:
o Gravel (particles > 2.0 mm): 11.34%
o Sand (particles between 2.0 mm and 0.075 mm): 84.76%
o Fines (silt and clay, particles < 0.075 mm): 3.90%
• Effective Particle Diameters:
o D10 = 0.16 mm (diameter at which 10% of particles are finer)
o D30 = 0.28 mm (diameter at which 30% of particles are finer)
o D60 = 0.42 mm (diameter at which 60% of particles are finer)
• Uniformity Coefficient (Cu):
o Cu = 2.63 (indicating that the soil is poorly graded, meaning it lacks a wide
range of particle sizes and is dominated by a narrow range of sand particle
sizes)
• Coefficient of Curvature (Cc):
o Cc = 1.17 (indicating that the soil's particle size distribution is fairly uniform
within its sand range, though it is poorly graded overall)
• General Description:
o The soil is classified as poorly graded sand (SP), which means it consists
predominantly of sand particles with a narrow size range and lacks the fine
gradation found in well-graded soils. This type of soil is less compactable
and may not provide good stability for foundations without additional
treatment or compaction.
o The small percentage of fines (3.90%) suggests that the soil has limited
cohesion and will likely behave more like a free-draining, non-cohesive
material.
• Solution to Question 3: Sieve and
Hydrometer Analysis
• i. Plot the Grain Size Distribution Curve
• Sieve Analysis Data:
Sieve Opening Weight Cumulative Percentage Percentage
(m) Retained (gm) Weight Retained (%) Finer (%)
Retained (gm)
5.0 11.8 11.8 1.31 98.69
2.0 9.43 21.23 2.36 97.64
1.0 103.62 124.85 13.87 86.13
0.5 42.05 166.9 18.54 81.46
0.2 66.33 233.23 25.92 74.08
0.1 8.56 241.79 26.87 73.13
0.075 8.3 250 27.78 72.22
• Hydrometer Analysis Data:
Particle Size (mm) Percentage Finer (%)
0.06 99.0
0.052 93.7
0.043 91.0
0.023 89.5
0.014 80.6
0.0064 55.4
0.0027 24.33
• ii. Determine the Percentage of Soil Components
To classify the soil components, we use the following particle size ranges:
- Gravel: Particles larger than 2.0 mm
- Sand: Particles between 0.075 mm and 2.0 mm
- Fines (Silt and Clay): Particles smaller than 0.075 mm
Using the sieve analysis data:
- Gravel: Percentage finer than 2.0 mm is 97.64%. Therefore, gravel percentage is:
100% - 97.64% = 2.36%
- Sand: The percentage finer than 0.075 mm is 72.22%. Therefore, the percentage of
sand is:
97.64% - 72.22% = 25.42%
- Fines (Silt and Clay): The fines (particles smaller than 0.075 mm) percentage is:
72.22%
Thus, the soil components are as follows:
- Gravel: 2.36%
- Sand: 25.42%
- Fines (Silt and Clay): 72.22%
• iii. Write the Complete Soil Description
• Soil Classification Using USCS (Unified Soil Classification System)
Based on the MIT classification system and the analysis of the grain size
distribution, we can now describe the soil.
- Gravel Content: 2.36%
- Sand Content: 25.42%
- Fines (Silt + Clay) Content: 72.22%
Since the fines content is greater than 50%, the soil is classified as a fine-grained
soil.
From the percentage passing the #200 sieve (72.22%), this soil contains a
significant amount of fines. With further analysis using Atterberg limits (not
provided in this question), we can classify the fines as either silty or clayey.
However, given the large portion of fines, it is likely that the soil is classified as ML
(Silt) or CL (Clay) under the USCS classification system.
• Summary of Soil Description:
- Gravel: 2.36%
- Sand: 25.42%
- Fines (Silt + Clay): 72.22%
- Soil Classification: Likely ML (Silt), based on the high fines content.
- Grain Size Distribution: This soil is predominantly fine-grained, with a small
percentage of sand and gravel.
Question 4
Part a: Determine L.L, P.L, and S.L for the Soil
Step 1: Liquid Limit (L.L) Calculation
The Liquid Limit (L.L) is the water content at which the soil changes from a liquid state to a
plastic state, determined using the Casagrande apparatus.
From the given data, we interpolate for 25 blows and approximate the L.L as:
L.L = 42.0%
Step 2: Plastic Limit (P.L) Calculation
The Plastic Limit (P.L) is the water content at which the soil starts to exhibit plastic
behavior. Based on the test results, the average Plastic Limit is calculated as:
P.L = 20.60%
Step 3: Shrinkage Limit (S.L) Calculation
The Shrinkage Limit (S.L) is calculated using the formula:
S.L = (e / Gs) * 100, where e = 0.79 (void ratio) and Gs = 2.65 (specific gravity).
Substituting the values, we get:
S.L = 29.81%
Part b: Plasticity Index (P.I), Consistency Index (Ic), Liquidity Index (Il)
Step 1: Plasticity Index (P.I) Calculation
The Plasticity Index (P.I) is calculated as:
P.I = L.L - P.L = 42.0% - 20.60% = 21.40%
Step 2: Consistency Index (Ic) Calculation
The Consistency Index (Ic) is calculated as:
Ic = (L.L - Wc) / (L.L - P.L), where Wc = 35.67% (natural water content).
Substituting the values, we get:
Ic = 0.296
Step 3: Liquidity Index (Il) Calculation
The Liquidity Index (Il) is calculated as:
Il = (Wc - P.L) / (L.L - P.L).
Substituting the values, we get:
Il = 0.704
Part c: USCS Classification and Complete Soil Description
Step 1: USCS Classification
Based on the calculated Liquid Limit and Plasticity Index, the soil is classified as CL
(Inorganic Clay of low to medium plasticity) according to USCS standards.
Step 2: Complete Soil Description
The soil has the following characteristics:
- Liquid Limit (L.L) : 42.0%
- Plastic Limit (P.L) : 20.60%
- Plasticity Index (P.I) : 21.40%
- Shrinkage Limit (S.L) : 29.81%
- Consistency Index (Ic) : 0.296 (Moderately consistent)
- Liquidity Index (Il) : 0.704 (Moderately soft)
- USCS Classification : Inorganic Clay of low to medium plasticity (CL)
Grain Size Distribution Analysis
Using the given sieve data, we can calculate the percentage passing values for each sieve
and plot the grain size distribution curve on a semi-logarithmic graph.
For example, for Sieve #4 with 30 gm retained and a total weight of 614 gm, the percentage
passing is calculated as:
% Passing = 95.11%
Sieve No. Weight Retained Cumulative Weight % Passing
(gm) Retained (gm)
4 30 30 95.11%
10 40 70 87.33%
20 50 120 75.41%
Effective Diameters (D10, D30, D60) and Soil Classification
From the grain size distribution curve, we estimate the effective diameters as:
- D10 = 0.16 mm
- D30 = 0.28 mm
- D60 = 0.425 mm
The Uniformity Coefficient (Cu) and Coefficient of Curvature (Cc) are calculated as:
Cu = D60 / D10 = 2.65
Cc = (D30)^2 / (D10 * D60) = 1.15
These results indicate that the soil is poorly graded sand .
Short Description of Soil Layer
Based on the tests and analysis, the soil layer can be described as:
- Type : Inorganic Clay (CL) with low to medium plasticity.
- Grain Size : Poorly graded sand with traces of gravel.
- Consistency : Moderately soft to stiff with a consistency index of 0.296.
- Classification : CL (Inorganic Clay) based on USCS classification.
