Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

Laboratory Experiment No. 3

Mechanical Analysis of Soil: Sieve Analysis

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Subject
Geotechnical Engineering 1 (Soil Mechanics)

Submitted by:
Agquiz, Alexia Nicole M.
Agullana, Daphne Eunice V.
Datingginoo, Danica P.
Lualhati, Cristell May M.
Mesana, Angeline C.
Villalobos, John Clark D.

Submitted to:
Engr. Mariel Z. Maralit

Date: December 11, 2023

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

PURPOSE
This test is performed to determine the percentage of the different grain sizes contained
within a soil. The particle-size distribution curve can be used to compare different soils. Moreover,
three basic soil parameters can be determined from these curves: (1) effective size; (2) uniformity
coefficient; and (3) coefficient of gradation. Grain or particle size analysis is required in classifying
the soil. Moreover, sieve analysis is used to determine the distribution of particle sizes bigger than
75 µm (retained on the No. 200 sieve).

STANDARD REFERENCE
ASTM D422-63 (Reapproved 2007) – Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of
Soils

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

• Soil Sample
• Sieve #4
• Sieve #10
• Sieve #20
• Sieve #40
• Sieve #60
• Sieve #100
• Sieve #200
• Pan
• Trowel
• Weighing Balance

Sources of Error
1. Summation of retained mass does not equate to the initial mass of the dry sample due to
transferring of soil, with factors such as air especially for very fine soils.

PROCEDURES
1. For this laboratory experiment, an oven-dry sample will be used.
2. Record the weight of each sieve and the bottom pan to be used.
3. Record the weight of the soil sample + pan and subtract the weight of the pan to get the
weight of the soil sample.
4. Make sure that all sieves are clean, and assemble them in ascending order, having the #4
sieve at the top and the #200 sieve at the bottom. Place the pan below the #200 sieve.
5. For every batch of soil sample, the weight of the specimen must be at least 500g, but not
exceeding 1000g.
6. Carefully pour the soil sample into the sieve and shake it manually for about 5 minutes.
7. Weigh and record the weight of each sieve with its retained soil.

DATA ANALYSIS/COMPUTATION
1. Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the empty sieve
from the mass of the sieve + retained soil. The sum of these retained masses must be
approximately equal to the initial mass of the soil sample. Remember that a loss of more
than 2% is unsatisfactory.
2. Calculate the percent passing or percent finer by starting with 100 percent and subtracting
the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

Table 1.1. Sieve Analysis: Soil Sample

U.S. Opening Mass of Mass of Mass of soil Cumulative Percent
Sieve No. (mm) empty sieve retained (g) mass retained Finer (%)
sieve (g) + soil above each
retained (g) sieve
4 4.75 563 674 111 111 86.66
10 2.00 432 535 103 214 74.28
20 0.85 386 559 173 387 53.49
40 0.425 339 495 156 543 34.74
60 0.25 316 394 78 621 25.36
100 0.150 304 381 77 698 16.11
200 0.075 304 412 108 806 3.13
Pan --- 358 384 26 ΣM = 832 0
TOTAL ΣM = 832

Weight of Pan (g): 363

Weight of Soil Sample (g): 1200

Weight of Soil Sample – Weight of Pan = 1200g – 363g = 837g

Summation of Mass of Soil Retained = 832g

For the Mass of Soil Retained:

Let the mass of:

Sieve No. 4 = M1

Sieve No. 10 = M2

Sieve No. 20 = M3

Sieve No. 40 = M4

Sieve No. 60 = M5

Sieve No. 100 = M6

Sieve No. 200 = M7

Pan = M8

Mass of soil retained =

(Mass of sieve + soil retained) – (Mass of empty sieve)
M1 = 674 g – 563 g =111 grams

M2 = 535 g – 432 g = 103 grams

M3 = 559 g – 386 g = 173 grams

M4 = 495 g – 339 g = 156 grams

M5 = 394 g – 316 g = 78 grams

M6 = 381 g – 304 g = 77 grams

M7 = 412 g – 304 g = 108 grams

M8 = 384 g – 358 g = 26 grams

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

ΣM = 832 grams

For Cumulative Mass Retained Above Each Sieve:

CMR1 = 111 grams

CMR2 = 111 g + 103 g = 214 grams

CMR3 = 214 g + 173 g = 387 grams

CMR4 = 387 g + 156 g = 543 grams

CMR5 = 543 g + 78 g = 621 grams

CMR6 = 621 g + 77 g = 698 grams

CMR7 = 698 g + 108 g = 806 grams

CMR8 = 806 g + 26 g = 832 grams

For percent finer:

Percent Passing/Percent Finer:

3. Make a plot of grain size in mm vs. percent finer in %. Locate D10, D30, and D60 on the
grain-size distribution curve.
4. Compute for the uniformity coefficient (CU) and coefficient of gradation (CC) using the
formula:
𝐷60
𝐶𝑈 =
𝐷10

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

where:
CU = uniformity coefficient
D60 = diameter corresponding to 60% finer in the particle-size distribution curve
D10 = diameter corresponding to 10% finer in the particle-size distribution curve
(𝐷30 )2
𝐶𝐶 =
𝐷60 × 𝐷10
where:
CC = coefficient of gradation
D30 = diameter corresponding to 30% finer in the particle-size distribution curve

Figure 1. Grain-Size Distribution Curve

D10 = 0.1147 mm
D30 = 0.33657 mm
D60 = 1.2101 mm

For the Uniformity Coefficient (C ): u

Cu
For the Coefficient of Gradation (C ): c

Cu

DISCUSSION
Various assessments are conducted to evaluate the strength of products and materials to
ensure their suitability, safety, and appropriateness for use in construction projects. Mechanical
analysis or Sieve Analysis involves determining the particle size distribution of soil, expressed as
a percentage of the total dry weight. In this laboratory, students were assigned the task of
Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

performing mechanical sieve analysis for soils, a test that aligns with the goal of assessing the
soil's suitability for supporting proposed engineering structures.
The group initiated the process by using the required equipment. Following the sieving
process, the collected data was interpreted using a table. The students employed a set of sieves (4,
10, 20, 40, 60, 100, 200, and pan), measuring the weight of each sieve individually: 563, 432, 386,
339, 316, 304, 304, and 358, respectively. After manually shaking the soil samples, the weight of
soil retained in each sieve was measured. The recorded weights for sieve numbers 4, 10, 20, 40,
60, 100, 200, and pan were 111, 103, 173, 156, 78, 77, 108, and 26.
The data revealed a diverse range of soil sizes. Additionally, the percentage of soil
remaining in each sieve was calculated: 88.66%, 74.28%, 53.49%, 34.74%, 25.36%, 16.11%, and
3.13% for sieve numbers 4, 10, 20, 40, 60, 100, 200, and pan, respectively.
A grain-size distribution curve was plotted using Microsoft Excel, with sieve opening (in
mm) and percent finer as the plotted values. From the curve, the computed values for D10, D30,
and D60 were found to be 0.1147 mm, 0.33657 mm, and 1.2101 mm. Subsequently, these values
were used to calculate the uniformity coefficient and coefficient of gradation, resulting in
cumulative values of 10.55 and 0.82.

DOCUMENTATION

Figure 2. Oven-drying the soil sample Figure 3. Weight of Soil Sample

Figure 4. Sieve Shaking

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

Figure 5 – 12. Retained soils in each sieve and pan

SUMMARY/CONCLUSION
Following the completion of the laboratory experiment, various crucial values were
calculated, including the mass of the empty sieve, the combined mass of the sieve and soil sample,
and the mass of the soil retained in each sieve. The computation of the percent finer was also
conducted, serving as essential data for plotting the curve and identifying the values of D10, D30,
and D60.
Moreover, when comparing the initial mass of the soil sample before sieving to the mass
of the retained soil after sieving, there was an observed error of 0.6%. Despite this deviation, it is

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Department

deemed satisfactory since the loss is within the acceptable range of not exceeding 2%. The
discrepancy between the summation of the retained mass and the initial mass of the dry soil sample
can be attributed to the inherent challenges in the process, such as the transfer and sieving of soil.
Factors like air, particularly affecting the fines of the soil sample, contribute to this variation.

RECOMMENDATION
After the completion of the experiment, the observers have formulated the following
recommendations for future endeavors:
1. Conduct Initial Soil Inspection - It is advisable to initiate an initial inspection of the soil's
location before commencing the experiment. This inspection will provide valuable
information that aids in identifying the mechanical properties of the soil, thereby enhancing
the accuracy and relevance of the analysis.
2. Ensure Clean and Dry Sieves - To prevent soil contamination and ensure precise data
collection, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and dry the sieves. This precautionary measure
helps in preventing the soil from adhering to the pan, ensuring that the obtained results are
reliable.
3. Securely Seal Sieves - To prevent soil spillage and maintain the integrity of the
experiment, it is essential to ensure that all sieves are tightly sealed. This precautionary
step helps in retaining the soil within the sieves, preventing any unintended loss during the
analysis.

Furthermore, the laboratory experiment titled "Mechanical Analysis of Soil: Sieve

Analysis" is recommended for other students to perform. This recommendation stems from the
belief that the experiment offers valuable insights into the sieving process and its impact on soil
samples. Additionally, conducting the experiment provides an opportunity to investigate factors
that may contribute to errors in the laboratory, promoting a deeper understanding of the overall
process.

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