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Classification Tests
3.3.1 Introduction. The determination of the particle size distribution of soil is an important
part of classification. The particle size distribution of a granular material such as road
base or a concrete aggregate, is an essential guide to the stability of the material for
use in the works, as the engineering properties of the material are strongly dependent
upon the grading.
In the case of fine grained cohesive soils which contain only a small percentage of
sand and silt, it is not generally necessary to carry out a particle size distribution, as the
Atterberg limits will provide sufficient guide to the properties of the soil. Particle size
distribution can be done by dry sieving or wet sieving. Wet sieving may be used on any
material and is more accurate than dry sieving but takes slightly longer to perform.
3.3.2.1 Sample mass. Mass of soil sample required for sieving is shown in the Table 3.3.1.
3.3.2.2 Accuracy of weighing. The accuracy of weighing required depends on the size of the
sample or sub-sample and the following values should be used.
3.3.2.3 System of sieve sizes. Different systems of sieves are used at present time. Anyone
of these sieve systems may be used in the test, provided all sieves in one set are of the
same system. Slight differences in aperture (mesh) sizes can easily be accounted for
when the results are plotted on a logarithmic grading chart. Sieves designation and
their sizes are shown in the Table 3.3.2.
a) If too much material is placed on a sieve at any one time, some of the fine material
will not reach the mesh and will be retained on the sieve, thus giving errors. It is
therefore important to ensure the sieves are never overloaded. Table 3.3.3 gives
the maximum mass of material to be retained on each sieve at the completion of
sieving.
b) The fine sieves must not be overloaded, because this not only leads to inaccuracy
but also reduces the life of the sieve.
c) It is very difficult to prevent overloading, when using mechanical sieve shakers and
mechanical sieve shakers are not recommended except for coarse grained
materials.
d) Particles larger than 20 mm may be placed through the sieve by hand, but must not
be forced through. All smaller sizes must be shaken through the sieves.
e) The sieves must be kept clean by brushing with a brass or camel hair brush and
washing through all sieving. Fine sieves should be inspected for holes in the mesh
before use. Care in the use of sieves and prevention of overloading will lead to
longer lives.
3.3.3.1 Scope. When a perceptible amount of clay or silt or if fine particles are found
connected with the larger particles, then wet sieving must always be used.
3.3.3.2 Apparatus.
(1) A typical range of aperture or mesh sizes would be : 75 mm, 63 mm, 50 mm,
37.5 mm, 28 mm, 20 mm, 14 mm, 10 mm, 6.3 mm, 5 mm, 3.35 mm, 2 mm, 1.18
mm, 600 ± = µm, 425 µm, 300 µm, 212 µm, 150 µm, 75 µm. Lids and receives
of appropriate size are required.
Notes a) The aperture sizes to be used will vary from sample to sample. Only
the necessary aperture sizes should be used, except that, for
convenience or to prevent overloading, additional sieves may be used
so that the requirements of Table 3.3.3 are complied with.
b) The defining size separating fine sand and silt grades is 60 µm. The
aperture size normally found closest to this is 63 µm. However, in
practice the 75 µm sieve is more commonly used because it is more
robust and less time-consuming to use. This standard suggests the
continued use of the 75 µm sieve as the washing sieve. Some
manufacturers’ offer a special ‘washing’ sieve which is of 200 mm
diameter and 200 mm deep with a 75 µm mesh.
c) It can be useful to have two sets of sieves, one for the wet sieving
and one for the dry sieving processes.
(4) The mass passing the 20 mm sieve is determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m2)
and the sample is then divided (riffled) so that about 2 kg of material remains.
The mass of this sub-sample is then determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m3).
(5) The sample shall then be placed in a large tray, enamel or porcelain bowl or in
the bucket, and covered with water. If the soil is cohesive add sodium
hexametaphosphate first at the rate of 2 grams per litre of water and stir until
dissolved. Sodium hexametaphosphate is a dispersing agent and helps to
prevent fine particles sticking together.
(6) The sample should be soaked for a minimum of 1 hour and frequent stirring
should be given during this time.
(7) The sample is then washed through the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve with a 2 mm
mesh sieve placed on top of it to protect it. Washing is most easily done by the
decantation method. In this method, water is slowly added to the bowl or tray
and the contents are vigorously stirred. Allow the contents to settle for a few
seconds before pouring. The excess water is decanted carefully over the side of
the bowl through the 2 mm sieve and into the 75 µm sieve, making sure all the
water passes through the 75 µm sieve before running to waste. This process is
continued until the water leaving the bowl is perfectly clear and all clay and silt
particles have been washed through the sieve. Make sure that the fine sieve
does not become overloaded, either by retained soil or by water.
Note. During this process DO NOT rub the material on the 75 µm sieve with
your fingers or otherwise. This is likely to damage the sieve and give
errors in the test results.
(8) On completion of washing place the washed sample in a tray or evaporating dish
and place in the oven to be dried at 105±50C.
(9) After drying and cooling, weigh the sample to 0.1% of its total mass before
commencing sieving (m4).
(10) Fit the largest size test sieve appropriate to the maximum size of material
present to the receiver and place the sample on the sieve. Fit the lid to the sieve.
Note. If the sieve and receiver assembly is not too heavy to handle, several
sieves, in order of size, may be fitted together and used at the same
time.
(11) Agitate the test sieve so that the sample rolls about in an irregular motion over
the sieve. Particles may be placed by hand to see if they will fall through but
they must not be pushed through. Make sure that only individual particles are
retained. Weigh the amount retained on the test sieve to 0.1% of its total mass.
Keep each fraction separate so that check weighings may be carried out at a
later date if required.
(12) Transfer the material retained in the receiver to a tray and fit the receiver to the
next largest sized sieve. Place the contents of the tray on the sieve and repeat
the operation in (11). Be careful not to lose fine material by using a brush to
clean the sieve mesh and the receiver. Use of the lid helps to reduce loss of
fines.
(13) Sieving is then continued through progressively smaller sizes until the sample
has been passed through the 6.3 mm sieve. The mass of soil passing the 6.3
mm sieve is determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m5). If the mass of material
passing the 6.3 mm sieve is too big (i.e. substantially more than 150 grams),
the actual mass passing should be recorded and the sample divided again by
riffling to give a reduced sample of about 100 to 150 grams. The mass of the
sub-sample is then determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m6).
Sieving is now continued through the remaining sieve sizes. The mass retained
on each sieve is recorded to 0.1% of its total mass. The mass passing the 75
µm sieve should be determined (ME). This mass will be very small if washing
has been carried out thoroughly. If any of the sieves are in danger of becoming
overloaded the sample should be sieved a little at a time and the material
retained each time placed in a clean porcelain or enamel dish ready for
weighing.
(1) Summation Check. The first stage in the calculation is to check that all the
weights retained add up to those of the original sample or sub-samples making
due allowance for the weights passing the smallest sieve and any sieve where
the sample has been divided. If these weights are not close to the correct total
(i.e. within 1%) it is then possible to re-weigh the containers and to locate any
errors before the sample is discarded. If this check is left until a later date it will
be necessary to repeat the complete test if any error is found.
a) It is necessary to calculate the correction or riffle factor for the first sieve size
where the sample has been divided:
m2
=
m3
b) The correction factor is then applied to each sieve smaller than the one where
the sample was divided until the sample is again sub-divided. Where a
second sub-division takes place the new correction factor is given by :
m2 m
= x 5
m3 m6
c) The adjusted mass retained MAR is then obtained for each sieve size by
multiplying the actual mass retained MR by the respective correction factor.
M
AR
% Retained = x 100%
m1
An example of a sieve test calculation is shown in Form 3.3.1, and the results
are shown plotted on a semi-logarithmic chart in Form 3.3.3.
3.3.3.5 Report. The report should include the tabulated results of the test calculated as
cumulative percentages passing to the nearest whole number. The results should be
plotted on a semi-logarithmically form (see Form 3.3.3). The method of test should be
reported and the operator should sign and date the test sheet.
3.3.4.1 Scope. This method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size
distribution of a soil down to the fine sand size. It should only be used with clean, free
running or washed sands and gravels.
3.3.4.2 Apparatus. The apparatus used in the wet sieving method are also used in the dry
sieving method.
(1) Oven dry the riffled sample at 105±50C to give a specified minimum mass and then
cool and weigh to 0.1% of its total mass (m1).
(2) Sieve the sample through all required sieve sizes of 20 mm size and larger. The
mass retained is recorded on the test sheet in each case.
(3) The mass passing the 20 mm sieve is determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m2)
and the sample is then divided so that about 2 kg of material remains. The mass of
this sub-sample is then determined to 0.1% of its total mass (m3).
(4) Then sieve the dried and weighed sample through the largest sieve size required
and the mass of the sample retained is recorded on the data sheet. Use of the lid
will help to reduce loss of fines.
(5) Sieving is then continued through progressively smaller sizes until the sample has
been passed through the 6.3 mm sieve (m4). If the weight of the material passing
the 6.3 mm sieve is too big (more than 150 gms). The actual mass passing should
be recorded and the sample is divided to give a reduced sample of about 100 to
150 gms. The mass of the sub-sample is then determined to 0.1% of its total mass
(m5).
(6) Sieving is now continued through the remaining sieve sizes. The mass retained on
each sieve is recorded to 0.1% of its total mass. The mass passing the 75 µm sieve
should be determined (ME). If any of the sieves are in danger of becoming
overloaded the sample should be sieved a little at a time and the material retained
each time is placed in a clean porcelain or enamel dish ready for weighing. If a
mechanical sieve shaker is used, a minimum shaking time of 10 minutes is
required.
3.3.4.4 Calculation and expression of results. The procedure is the same as of wet sieving
method (section 3.3.3.4).
An example of a sieve test calculation is shown in Form 3.3.2.
Form 3.3.1