EXPERIMENT 1 : PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ( SIEVE ANALYSIS)

OBJECTIVE : To determine the amount and distribution of particles size of the soil.

APPARATUS : Set of of sieve, mechanical sieve shaker, balance, riffler, sieve brushers.

THEORY : A basic element of the soil classification system is by determining the particle size
of the soil.The distribution of the particles sizes larger than 0.0075mm is determine
by sieving,while smaller is determine by sedimentation process (hydrometer
analysis).

Two method of sieving are specified :
Wet sieving is the definition method applicable to assentially cohessionles soils.
Dry sieving is suitable only for soil containing significant quantities of silt and clay.


PROCEDURES :
1. Any particles are brushed to pas through the test sieve until the individual particles
2. are clean of any finer material.
3. The sieve set is prepared and the weight of each sieve is recorded.
4. The sample sand into is put into the top of the sieving set.
5. The sample sand is then subjected to the mechanical shaking about 15 minutes to cause the
soil particles to fall through the sieve until it retained on the particular sieve.
6. After shaking,a balance is used to determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve.
7. The sample sand passing through the sieve size 3.35mm is recorded (A) and will be riffled to
get suitable weight of the sample sand (B) using the riffled box.
8. The second sieve set is prepared with the biggest size of the sieve is 2mm.
9. Step 6 & 7 is repeated.

CALCULATIONS, PLOTTING AND EXPRESSION OF RESULTS:





DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

The soil sample we tested is well - graded as can be seen from the graph; where wide range of grain
sizes represents a small region of passing percentage. There are several errors which caused by:
Limitations on obtaining a statistically representative sample.
Not providing the suitable orientation for soil grains during shaking in order to pass
through the sieves.
Presence of soil lumps.
Errors in reading the weighing scale and zeroing it

The objective of determining the amount and distribution of particles size of the soil is achieved. The
sample of soil used in this laboratory is poorly graded.


REFERENCES
1. Materials Finer Than 75- m m (No. 200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing
2. Specification for Wire Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes
3. Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
4. Standard Specifications for Concrete Aggregates
5. Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates


APPENDIX