EXPERIMENT # 06

GRAIN SIZE 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.
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.

Figure: Equipment

Test Procedure
1. Write down the mass of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the
analysis.
2. Record the mass 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 mass of each
sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the mass of the
bottom pan with its retained fine soil.

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Stratigraphic chart

stratigraphic chart of Pakistan

Data Analysis
1. Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the mass of the empty
sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as the mass
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 mass 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.

Symbol chart
Group
symb Group name
ol

Major divisions

Coarse grained
soils
more than 50%
retained on or
above No.200
(0.075
mm) sieve

gravel
> 50% of
coarse fraction
retained on No.
4 (4.75 mm)
sieve

sand
50% of
coarse fraction
passes No.4
sieve

clean
gravel <5%
smaller
than #200
Sieve
gravel with
>12% fines

GW

well-graded gravel,
fine to coarse gravel

GP

poorly graded gravel

GM

silty gravel

GC

clayey gravel

SW

well-graded sand,
fine to coarse sand

SP

poorly graded sand

SM

silty sand

clean sand

sand with

>12% fines

SC

clayey sand

ML

silt

CL

clay of low plasticity,

lean clay

OL

organic silt, organic

clay

MH

silt of
high plasticity, elastic
silt

CH

clay of high plasticity,

fat clay

OH

organic clay, organic

silt

Pt

peat

inorganic
silt and clay
liquid limit < 50
organic

Fine grained
soils
50% or more
passing the
No.200 sieve

inorganic
silt and clay
liquid limit 50

organic
Highly organic soils

For example: Total mass = 500 g

Mass retained on No. 4 sieve = 9.7 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 semi-logarithmic plot of grain size vs. percent finer.
5. Compute Cc and Cu for the soil.

Data Sheet
Date Tested: July 03, 2015
Project Name: Classification of Soil
Mass of Container= 200 g
Mass Container + Dry Soil=804.8 g
Mass of Dry Sample= 604.8 g
Siev
e#

Sieve
Diamete
r (mm)

04
10
30
40
50
100
200
Pan

4.75
2.00
0.60
0.425
0.30
0.15
0.075

Mass of
Empty
Sieve
(g)
350
350
300
250
350
300
300
200
Total

Mass of
Sieve +
Soil
Retaine
d (g)
415.5
423.2
406.1
287.7
356.2
360.3
354.5
401.3

From Grain Size Distribution Curve:

Soil
Retaine
d (g)

Soil
Retaine
d%

65.50
73.20
106.1
37.70
06.20
60.30
54.50
201.3
604.8

10.83
12.10
17.54
6.230
1.020
9.970
9.010
33.28
100

Cumulativ
e Retained
Mass of
Soil

Passing
Materia
l (g)

Passing
Materia
l
%

65.5
138.7
244.8
282.5
288.7
349.0
403.5
604.8

539.3
466.1
360.0
322.3
316.1
255.8
201.3
0

89.16
77.06
59.52
53.29
52.26
42.29
33.283
0

% Gravel= 10.83

D10= 0.002 mm

% Sand= 55.87

D30= 0.017 mm

% Fines= 33.28

D60= 0.250 mm

Cu=

(0.017)
0.25
=125,Cc=
=0.58
0.002
0.002 x 0.25

Unified Classification of Soil: SC/SM