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Particle Size Notes

The document describes two methods for determining particle size distribution: [1] mechanical sieve analysis and [2] hydrometer analysis. Mechanical sieve analysis involves wet sieving soil samples passing a #4 sieve and then drying and weighing the portions retained on various sieve sizes to determine the particle size distribution. Hydrometer analysis involves dispersing a 50g soil sample passing a #10 sieve in water and taking hydrometer readings at time intervals to calculate the percentage of particles finer than various sizes based on Stokes' Law. Both methods are needed to characterize the full particle size range from coarse sand to clay.

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145 views

Particle Size Notes

The document describes two methods for determining particle size distribution: [1] mechanical sieve analysis and [2] hydrometer analysis. Mechanical sieve analysis involves wet sieving soil samples passing a #4 sieve and then drying and weighing the portions retained on various sieve sizes to determine the particle size distribution. Hydrometer analysis involves dispersing a 50g soil sample passing a #10 sieve in water and taking hydrometer readings at time intervals to calculate the percentage of particles finer than various sizes based on Stokes' Law. Both methods are needed to characterize the full particle size range from coarse sand to clay.

Uploaded by

silkymilky
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Particle Size Distribution Analysis

Define Particle Size Distribution Curve

Particle Size Range (wide range):

4.75mm-------0.002mm Sand Clay [1] Mechanical Sieve Analysis [2] Hydrometer Analysis

Require two experiments:

Soil Sample Preparation:

[1] Passing #4, 500g (OD) [2] Passing #10, 50g (OD)

Method [1]:

Mechanical Sieve Analysis Wet Sieve (> 10% --#200 Sieve) Dry Sieve Sieve # #4 #10 #20 #40 #100 #200 PAN Illustration Weight Retained (g) 25 50 75 125 100 75 50 S =500 Ws error 2% of Total Weight Wet Sieve requires two days. Percent Retained (%) (25/500) 100=5 10 15 25 20 15 10 S =100 Percent Passing (%) 95 85 70 45 25 10 0

Method [2]:

Hydrometer Analysis Sample Preparation ----- 50g passing #10 Sieve Measuring Equipment----- 152 H hydrometer for measuring Weight of solid (Gs = 2.65) in Gram per 1000 cc of solid-water mixture at 20 .

1. 2. 3. 4.

Based on hydrometer reading (Rm) at different time intervals to compute the % passing for different max size of particles. Theory: Stokes Law (single sphere falling in an infinite Fluid)

Where = viscosity of fluid (table 1 poise=10-8 KN sec/cm2)

Check K value in table 9-3.

If we measure the hydrometer drop, L, in the fluid during time interval t, then the max size, D, at level L can be determined.

Uniform Distribution Hydrometer measures specific gravity of suspension Gsusp, at this level when suspension contains original distribution of particles finer than D in suspension. At this level

t=0

where P = % finer than D

t = t1

g measured by hydrometer

at any level

Hydrometer Reading (Rm) Corrections: Zero correction (including meniscus correction) for dispersing agent effect on g w. Temperature correction (CT)(Table 9-3) for effect if temperature on g w already include in K. Correction factor a for Gs other than 2.65 Rm = Reading of Grams of Soil in Suspension If Ws = 50 g Gs = 2.65 w = 1 g/cm3 at 20 C

(typical values of a, see Table 7-2)

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