Introduction

The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities will not be able to provide the
avenue for students to enhance independent learning activities and inculcate creativity
and innovation. Level 0 is fully prescriptive where problem, ways & means and answers
are provided to the students. However it is still necessary especially to first and second
year students. Particle sized analysis of a soil is carried out by determining the weight
percentages falling within bands of size represented by these divisions and sub-divisions. A
representative sample of the soil is split systematically down to a convenient sub-sample
size and then oven-dried. The sample is then passed through a nest of standard test sieves
arranged in descending order of mesh size. Following agitation of first the whole nest and
then individual sieves, the weight of soil retained on each sieve is determine and the
cumulative percentage of the sub-sample passing each sieve is calculated.

Objectives

To quantitatively determine the particle size distribution in an essentially cohesion less soil,
down to the fine sand size, hence determine the silt and clay fraction percentage by
difference.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. Acquire the understanding of basic physic properties in determination for percentage

of silt and clay.

2. Acquire the necessary skill in performing standard laboratory to determine the

distribution of fine-grained particle sizes of soil.

3. Calculate and analyze data to report and present result in a proper engineering
format.

Problem statement
For soil samples containing fine-grained particles, a wet sieving procedure is first carried out
to remove these and to determine the combined clay/silt fraction percentage. The combined
clay/silt fraction is determined from the weight difference and expressed as a percentage of
the total sub-sample weight. The test is in accordance to BS 1377-2: 1990 Test 9.2.
Procedure

1. Weigh the oven-dried sample to 0.1 % of its total mass, m1. Place the sample on the
20 mm test sieve and brush any particles too coarse to pass through the test sieve
with a wire brush or similar stiff brush until the individual particles are clean of any
finer materials. Take care when dealing with soft materials to ensure that the
brushing does not remove parts of the large particles.
2. Sieve the fraction retained on the 20 mm test sieve on the appropriate larger test
sieves and weigh the amount retained on each test sieve. If any test sieve becomes
overloaded sieve the material on the test sieve in parts, the parts not to exceed the
masses given in Table 1.
3. Weigh the portion of the oven-dried material passing the 20 mm test sieve to 0.1 % of
its total mass, m2. Riffle that portion so that a fraction of convenient mass (about 2
kg) is obtained. Weigh the fraction to 0.1 % of its total mass, m3.
4. Spread the riffled fraction in the large tray, or place it in the bucket and cover with
water. If the soil is cohesive, add sodium hexametaphosphate to the water first at a
concentration of 2 g/L.
5. Stir the mixture well to wet the soil. Allow the soil to stand for at least 1 hr in this
solution stirring frequently.
6. Wash the material, a little at a time, through a 2 mm test sieve nested in a 63µm test
sieve, allowing the material passing the 63 µm test sieve is virtually clear. Ensure
that neither the test sieve is overloaded in the process, either with solids or with
water (See Table 1). The maximum amount of material initially on the 63 µm test
sieve shall not exceed 150 g for a 200 mm diameter test sieve, 350 g for a 300 mm
diameter test sieve or 750 g for a 450 mm diameter test sieve.
7. Transfer all the material retained on the sieves into a tray or evaporating dish and dry
in an oven at 105o C to 110o C.
8. Weigh the dried fraction when cool to 0.1 % of its total mass, m4. Sieve the dried
fractions through the appropriate sieves down to the 6.3 mm test sieve, using dry
sieving procedure. Weigh the amount retained on each sieve to 0.1 % of the total dry
fraction.
9. If the fraction passing the 6.3 mm test sieve is small, i.e. not more than 150 g, the
sample may be sieved by dry sieving on the appropriate sieves to and including the
63µm test sieve. Weigh the amount retained on each sieve and any fines passing the
63 mm test sieve, mF, to 0.1 % of the total fraction passing the 6.3 mm sieve.
10. If the fraction passing the 6.3 mm test sieve is large, i.e. substantially greater than
150 g, weigh it (m5) and then riffle it so that a fraction of 100 g to 150 g is obtained.
Weigh this fraction, m6 and then sieve on the appropriate sieves down to and
including 63 mm test sieve, mE. If riffling is not necessary, m6 is the same as m5.
Weigh to 0.1 % of the total fraction passing the 6.3 mm sieve