COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Civil Engineering Department

Experiment No. 5
DETERRMINATION OF PARTICLE SIZE BY SIEVE ANALYSIS AND
HYDROMETER METHOD

COURSE OUTCOMES
CO1 Explain the origin and process of formation of soils and classify soils accordingly
COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME
Analyze the different test for soil and how to describe soil according to its grain
CILO 3
size and other basic soil parameters such as Atterberg limits.

I. ASTM DESIGNATION
ASTM D 422 – Standard Test Method for Particle Size Analysis of Soils
ASTM D 1140 – Standard test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer than No. 200 Sieve

II. OBJECTIVE
 To determine the amount of material finer than No. 200 Sieve.

III. APPARATUS
 ASTM D1140 (Sieve Analysis)
o Balance, capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01 g
o Test Sieves
1. a minimum nest of two sieves is recommended
2. No. 4, No. 10, No. 40, No. 200 sieves. Pan and Cover
o Oven
o Timer
o Mechanical shaker (optional)

 ASTM D422 (Particle Size Analysis)

o Balance, capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01 g
o Stirring Apparatus
o Hydrometer 152H
o Beaker, 250 mL
o Etched graduated cylinder, 1000 mL
o Sedimentation cylinder/graduated cylinder 1000 mL
o Deflocculating agent/Sodium hexametaphosphate, 40 g/L
o Thermometer
o Squeeze bottle
o Distilled/demineralized water
o Rubber stopper/parafilm

IV. TEST PROCEDURE

 Dry preparation Method:
a. Obtain a representative portion from the total sample sufficient to provide 150 to 200 g
of material passing No. 40 (4.25 mm) sieve.
b. Dry the specimen in an oven at a temperature not exceeding 60 ⁰C until the soil clods
will pulverize readily.

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Civil Engineering Department

Fig. 5.1 (a) graduated cylinder, (b) deflocculating agent, (c)

hydrometer, (d) thermometer, (e) beaker, (f) dispersion mixer w/
dispersion cup

 Sieve Analysis (ASTM D 1140)

a. Dry the specimen to a constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5 ⁰C and determine its
mass to the nearest 0.1 g.
b. After preparing the specimen, place the specimen on the uppermost sieve. Wash the
specimen on the sieves by means of a stream of water from a faucet. The material may
be lightly manipulated by hand, to facilitate the process, taking care not to lose any of
the retained material. Continue washing until the water coming through the sieves is
clear.
c. When the washing is completed, the material retained on the No. 200 sieve can be dried
either in the sieve, or by transferring the contents of the sieve into another container. If
the soil is transferred, excess water can be removed by decanting or suctioning to speed
drying time.
d. Dry the residue from each sieve to a constant mass to a temperature of 110 ± 5 ⁰C and
determine the dry mass using the same balance.

 Hydrometer Analysis (ASTM D 422)

a. When the soil is mostly of the silt and clay sizes, weigh out a sample of air-dry soil of
approximately 50 g. When the soil is mostly sand the sample should be 100 g.
b. Prepare 1000 mL of liquid composed of distilled or demineralized water and dispersing
agent in the same proportion as will prevail in the sedimentation test.
c. Place the sample in the 250 mL beaker and cover with 125 mL of sodium
hexametaphosphate solution (40 g/L). Stir until the soil is thoroughly wetted. Allow to
soak for at least 16 hr. (30 min. for educational demonstration).
d. At the end of the soaking period, disperse the sample further using stirring apparatus.
Transfer the soil-water slurry from the beaker into the dispersion cup with distilled or
demineralized water. Add distilled or demineralized water, if necessary, so that the cup
is more than half full. Stir for a period of 1 min.
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e. Immediately after dispersion, transfer the soil-water slurry to the sedimentation

cylinder, and add distilled or demineralized water until the total volume is 1000 mL
f. Using the palm of the hand over the end of the cylinder (or a rubber stopper in the open
end), turn the cylinder upside down and back for a period of 1 min to complete the
agitation of the slurry.
g. After the end of 1 min set the cylinder in a convenient location and take hydrometer
readings at the following intervals of time: 2, 5, 15, 30, 60, 250 (90), and 1440 (120)
min. Remove the hydrometer after each reading, and place it in a 1000-ml cylinder filled
with distilled water between readings. Spin the hydrometer while it is in this cylinder to
remove adhered soil particles.
h. After each reading, take the temperature of the suspension by inserting the
thermometer into the suspension.
i. After taking the final hydrometer reading, transfer the suspension to a No. 200 sieve
and wash with tap water until the wash water is clear. Transfer the material on the No.
200 sieve to a suitable container, dry in an oven 110 ± 5⁰C and make a sieve analysis of
the portion retained.

V. CALCULATION

1. MECHANICAL SIEVE ANALYSIS

Calculate the amount of material passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve by washing as follows:

(𝑩 −
𝑨 𝑪) ×
= 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝑩
Where: A = percentage of material finer than the 0.075 mm sieve, nearest
0.1%
B = original dry mass of sample, g
C = dry mass of specimen retained on the 0.075 mm sieve including the
amount on an upper sieve after washing

2. HYDROMETER ANALYSIS
The percentage of soil remaining in suspension at the level at which the hydrometer is
measuring the density of suspension may be calculated as follows:

𝑹
𝑷′ =𝜶 ×
𝟏𝟎𝟎 �
�
Where: α = correction faction to be applied to the reading of hydrometer 152H
P = percentage of soil remaining in suspension
R = hydrometer reading with composite correction
W = oven-dry mass of soil in a total test sample represented by mass of
soil dispersed

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Civil Engineering Department

Table 4.1. Values for Correction factor, α, for Different Specific Gravities of
Soil Particles

Correction Factor
Specific Gravity
α
2.95 0.94
2.90 0.95
2.85 0.96
2.80 0.97
2.75 0.98
2.70 0.99
2.65 1.00
2.60 1.01
2.55 1.02
2.50 1.03
2.45 1.05

Table 4.2 Values of K use in Equation for Computing Diameter of Particle in Hydrometer Analysis

Temperature Specific Gravity

(⁰C) (Gs)
2.55 2.60 2.65 2.70 2.75 2.80

16 0.01481 0.01457 0.01435 0.01414 0.01394 0.01374

17 0.01462 0.01439 0.01417 0.01396 0.01376 0.01356
18 0.01443 0.01421 0.01399 0.01378 0.01359 0.01339
19 0.01425 0.01403 0.01382 0.01361 0.01342 0.01323
20 0.01408 0.01386 0.01365 0.01344 0.01325 0.01307
21 0.01391 0.01369 0.01348 0.01328 0.01309 0.01291
22 0.01374 0.01353 0.01332 0.01312 0.01294 0.01276
23 0.01358 0.01337 0.01317 0.01297 0.01279 0.01261
24 0.01342 0.01321 0.01301 0.01282 0.01264 0.01246
25 0.01327 0.01306 0.01286 0.01267 0.01249 0.01232
26 0.01312 0.01291 0.01272 0.01253 0.01235 0.01218
27 0.01297 0.01277 0.01258 0.01239 0.01221 0.01204
28 0.01283 0.01264 0.01244 0.01225 0.01208 0.01191
29 0.01269 0.01249 0.01230 0.01212 0.01195 0.01178
30 0.01256 0.01236 0.01217 0.01199 0.01182 0.01169

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Civil Engineering Department

Diameter of soil particles

√𝑳⁄
𝑫=𝑲 𝑻

Where: L = distance from the surface of the suspension to the level at which the
density of the suspension is being measured
= 16.3 – 0.163R
T = interval of time from beginning of sedimentation to the taking of the
reading
K = constant depending on the temperature of the suspension and the
specific gravity of the soil particles

VI. DATA, RESULTS, AND COMPUTATION

SIEVE ANALYSIS
Table 4.3 Test Details for Sieve Analysis
Project location:
Soil description:

Scale type/precision/serial no.:

Sieve shaking method/duration:

Total mass before sieving:
Total mass after sieving:
Percent soil loss after sieving:

Table 4.4 Measurement and Calculations for Sieve Analysis

Sieve
Sieve Cumulative Mass Cumulative Mass Percent Passing
opening
number of Soil Passing of Soil Retained (%)
(mm)
4 4.75
10 2.00
40 0.425
200 0.075

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Civil Engineering Department

Particles Size Distribution Curve

100
90

80

70
Percent Finer

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001
Particle Diameter (mm) - log scale

Fig. 4.1 Particle Size Distribution Curve

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Civil Engineering Department

HYDROMETER ANALYSIS
Table 4.5 Test Details of Hydrometer Analysis
Project location:
Soil description:

Scale type/precision/serial no.:

Hydrometer type/manufacturer serial number:

Mixer manufacturer serial number:
Duration of initial soaking period:
Concentration of sodium hexametaphosphate solution:
Dry mass of soil used:
Specific gravity of soil solids:
Temperature:
K: a: b:

Table 4.6 Measurement and Calculations of Hydrometer Analysis

Time L D
(min) R (cm) (mm) P P’

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Civil Engineering Department

VII. ILLUSTRATION

VIII. CONCLUSION

IX. RECOMMENDATION

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Civil Engineering Department

X. RUBRICS

SO (k) Ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
Demonstrate skills in the use of modern engineering tools and techniques necessary for engineering
PI (1)
practice.
CO Demonstrate the use of different soil laboratory apparatus/equipment.
Exemplary Capable Developing Beginning
Criteria (4) (3) (2) (1) Rating
Observes good
Observes best Practices unsafe,
Lab Safety laboratory Unsafe lab procedures
laboratory safety risky behaviors
safety observed infrequently.
procedures. procedures. in lab.
Experimental
procedures most often
Develops and followed, but
Experimental Implements
implements occasional Does not follow
Procedures logical
logical oversight leads to loss experimental
experimental
experimental of experimental procedure.
procedures
procedures efficiency and/or loss
of
data
Does not operate
instrumentation
Is able to select
Is able to and
and operate
Tool operate Is tentative in process
appropriate
Operation instrumentatio operation equipment,
instrumentation
n and of instruments and does so
and
process process equipment. incorrectly or
process
equipment. requires
equipment.
frequent
supervision.
Analyzes and
Analyzes data
interprets
carefully using Applies appropriate
data carefully
appropriate theory to data when
using
Analysis and theory; if prompted to do so, but
appropriate Makes no
Theory required, misinterprets physical
theory; if attempt to
Application translates significance of theory
required, relate data to
theory into or
translates theory
practice or variable involved;
theory into
applies to makes errors in unit
practice or
process conversions.
applies to process
model(s).
model(s).
Provides
recommendation Is aware of Is aware of
Measurement on measurement measurement error but
Is unaware of
Error measurement of error and does not account for it
measurement
error and is able to statistically or does so
error
is able to account account for it at
for it statistically. a minimal level
statistically.

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