CALVIN DAVE RICAFORT DATE CONDUCTED: SEPT 21, 2017

BSCE-4B,GROUP № 6 DATE SUBMITTED: OCT 5, 2017

ACTIVITY # 3

SIEVE ANALYSIS

SUBMITTED TO:

EINSTINE M. OPISO, PhD

Instructor
 I. Introduction

In order to classify a soil for engineering purposes, one needs to know the distribution of
grains in a given soil mass. Sieve is made in of woven wires with square openings that helps
to determine the particle size distribution of coarse and fine aggregates. Note that as a sieve
number increases the size of the openings decreases. (Braja, 2002)

Sieve Analysis consists of shaking the soil sample through a set of sieves that have
progressively smaller openings (Das, 2013).A sieve analysis can be performed on any type
of non-organic or organic granular materials including sands, crushed rock, clays, granite,
coal, soils, and a wide range of manufactured powders, grain and seeds, down to a
minimum size depending on the exact method (Azmi, 2014).

The results are used to determine compliance of the particle size distribution with applicable
specification requirements and to provide necessary data for control of the production of
various aggregate products and mixtures containing aggregates (ASTM International)

Sieve analysis is a method used to determine the grain sieve distribution of soil and
determine the relative proportions of different grain sizes as they are distributed among
certain size ranges that were use to determine the grading of materials proposed for use as
aggregates or being used as aggregates. From the result, uniformity and gradation
calculations can be performed to determine if the soil sample is poorly, gap, or well graded.

The method of sieve analysis described here is applicable for soils that are mostly
granular with some or no fines. Sieve analysis does not provide information as to shape of
particles.
 II. Materials and Methods

The materials and equipment used in this laboratory activity were the following:
rubber mallet, tray, foil, Sieves (No. 4, 40, 60, 80, 100, 140, 200), bottom pan and cover,
soil sample, and digital weighing scale as shown.

sieves pan and cover weighing scale tray, foil and rubber mallet

Preparing the soil sample

The tray was coated with foil and weighed to obtain its mass. Disturbed sample from
the field was placed on the tray and once again weighed as shown. The soil were uniformly
distributed throughout the tray and then placed inside the oven for 24 hours.

Disturbed sample placed on tray Disturbed sample uniformly distributed

Oven drying of the wet soil

Oven drying was then made right after it was weighed. It was oven dried for 24
hours. To dry the soil samples the oven temperature set to 100°C until it reaches 110°C.
Cooling down and weighing the dry soil

After 24 hours the oven dried soil samples were removed for cooling and weighing the
dried soil with the use of digital weighing scale as shown.

Cooling down the soil samples Weighing soil sample

Pounding the soil sample

After weighing the soil were break into individual particles with the use of rubber
mallet. (Note: The idea is to break up the soil into individual particles, not to break the
particles themselves) .After pounding the soil sample it were then placed into Ziploc and
weighed approximately 500 g. And the soil sample was ready to undergo sieve analysis.

Pounding soil sample Soil sample placed into Ziplo

Preparing the instruments for sieve

Set of sieves were prepared including the pan, cover, and the weighing scale. Each
sieve was weighted and the data were recorded. After weighing the sieves as shown it was
then stacked from the largest sieve opening which is Sieve no. 4 to the lowest opening that
is Sieve no. 200 as shown.

Weighing the sieves stacked the sieve from largest to lowest

Start for sieve analysis

The soil sample was then slowly poured at the top sieve as shown. Manual shaking
was then applied for 10 minutes until the soil reaches the pan at the bottom as shown. After
shaking, each sieve with retained soil was once again weighted to determine its mass as
shown then the data was recorded.

The soil sample was slowly poured weighing retained soil manual shaking for 10min
 III. Results and Discussion

SIEVE SIEVE WEIGHT WEIGHT WEIGHT CUMMULATIVE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE

NO. OPENING OF OF SIEVE RETAINED MASS (g) RETAINED (%) COARS (%) FINER (%)
(mm) SIEVE WITH SOIL (%)
(g) (g)

4 4.75 487.8 51.4 51.4 51.4 10.28 10.28 89.72

40 0.425 371.2 366.8 418.2 418.2 73.36 83.64 16.36
60 0.25 426.8 60.0 478.2 478.2 12 95.64 4.36
80 0.180 418.8 7.4 485.6 485.6 1.48 97.12 2.88
100 0.150 346.6 8.8 494.4 494.4 1.76 98.88 1.12
140 0.106 320.2 2.2 496.6 496.6 0.44 99.32 0.68
200 0.075 334.8 1.0 497.6 497.6 0.2 99.52 0.48
PAN 0 369.2 0.6 598.2 598.2 0.12 99.64 0.36
684.04
Table 1: Summary of Data

Fineness Modulus= 684.04/100 = 6.84

Graph

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Sieve Opening (mm)

From the given data above:

D10=0.25

D30=1.25

D60=3.1

Coefficient of uniformity

Cu= D60/D10 = 3.1/0.25 =12.4

Coefficient of curvature

Cc= (D30)2/(D10)(D60) = (1.25)2/(0.25)(3.1) =2.0161

From the calculation of coefficient of uniformity and curvature above it is found that 1<
Cc< 3 and Cu > 6 and indicates that the soil sample belongs to sands particularly silts and
clay.

I. Conclusion

In our study conducted in sieve analysis of the soil sample it is found that the soil in the
proposed building near mahogany dormitory belongs to sand particularly silt or clayey soil having a
coefficient of uniformity of 12.4 and coefficient of curvature of 2.0161.

I. References

Goel, T., & Stonecypher, L. (2011, June 11). Geotechnical Topics: Soil Compaction. Retrieved from
Bright Hub Engineering: http://www.brighthubengineering.com/geotechnical-engineering/119769-
geotechnical-topics-soil-compaction/

Jack, G. (2013). Properties of Clay Soil. Retrieved from Home Guides:

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/properties-clay-soil-71840.html