TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES – MANILA

College of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

EXPERIMENT NO.1
SIEVE ANALYSIS

CE 304
Geotechnical Engineering 1

SUBMITTED BY:
MAPUE, Sean Mark T.
MANZANO, Roge Adean
BALDERAMA, Vivien Azariah
PAULINO, Paul Tyrone
TUAL, Erika Jill

CE31S1

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. ROMMEL ROXAS

MAY 18, 2021

 GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION (SIEVE ANALYSIS)
Sean Mark MAPUE 1, Roge Adean MANZANO2, Vivien Azariah BALDERAMA3, Paul Tyrone
PAULINO 4, Erika Jill TUAL 5
1
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila Campus, Manila, Philippines (E-mail: msmtmapue@tip.edu.ph)
2
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila Campus, Manila, Philippines (E-mail: mrafmanzano@tip.edu.ph)
3
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila Campus, Manila, Philippines (E-mail: mvambalderama@tip.edu.ph)
4
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila Campus, Manila, Philippines (E-mail: mptrpaulino@tip.edu.ph)
5
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila Campus, Manila, Philippines (E-mail: mejstual@tip.edu.ph)

ABSTRACT: This experiment examined the particle size distribution of the ground sample using
sieve analysis. The experiment’s objective was to determine the percentage passing in each sieve.
The sample was sieved through a series of sieves with varying opening sizes and measured the mass
retained in each sieve. Results are plotted and a particle size distribution curve was obtained.
Key word: Sieve Analysis, Particle Size Distribution, Soil, Soil Classification
1. INTRODUCTION soil. The particle size distribution provides
the details required to determine soil class
Sieve analysis consists of shaking the
based on texture, which is a critical criterion
soil sample through a stack of sieves with
for categorizing soil physical and chemical
openings of decreasing size from top to
action based on surface activity.
bottom. The mass of soil retained on each
sieve is then determined, and a size-particle The aim of this experiment is to use
distribution curve can be produced by using sieve analysis to evaluate the particle size
experimental data. Soil is used as a basic distribution curve of the representative
construction material to support structural sample. Sieve analysis measures the grain
foundations. The physical properties of soil size distribution of soil samples by moving
are dictated primarily by the minerals that them through a stack of sieves with
constitute the soil particles, and also progressively smaller mesh opening sizes and
depending on the predominant size of calculating the weight stored on each sieve.
particles within the soil. Thus, it is important In the study, samples greater than the No. 4
to know particle-size distribution of the soil. Sieves (4.75mm) are used, and the samples
are shaken for minutes of varying mesh sizes.
The particle size distribution of a soil,
It's worth noting that as the sieve number
specifically the sand, silt, and clay material,
grows, so does the scale of the openings.
determines its textural class. Texture is a
relatively stable soil trait that influences
many physical and chemical processes in the
2. METHODOLOGY AND d. Pans.
PROCEDURE
This experiment is concerned with
determining grain size distribution using
mechanical analysis and soil classification
based from USCS method.
Resources:
a. Set of Standard Sieves.

e. Pair of tongs.

b. Oven with temperature control.

f. Manual or Mechanical Sieve Shake

c. Balance.
 g. Mortar and Pestle.
Procedure:
1. Each group will obtain exactly 500g
of oven-dry soil from the bag of stock
material. Use sampling or sampling
splitter.
2. If the samples contain appreciable
gravel, very few fines or if at the
discretion of the instructor, washing
is to be omitted. Otherwise place the
test sample on the no. 200 sieve and
wash the material through the sieve
using the tap water until the water is
clear.
3. Carefully pour the residue, using the
back-washing, into a large weighed
dish and let it sit for a short period of
time until the top of the suspension
becomes clear. Then, place the dish
and remaining soil-water suspension
in the oven for drying.
4. On the following day, weigh the
oven-dry residue. (Omit this step if
you do not wash). Then run your
sample through a stack of sieves from
top down.
5. Place the stacks of sieves in a
mechanical sieves’ shaker (if
available) and sieve for 5 to 10
minutes until the top few sieves can
be removed from the stack. If there is
no mechanical shaker, shake by hand
for about 10 minutes. Do not shake in
a defined pattern.
6. Remove the stack of sieves from the
shaker and obtain the weight of
material remaining on each sieve.
Sum these weights and compare with
original. Loss of weights should not
exceed 2%, otherwise repeat the sieve
test.
7. Compute the percent retained on each
sieve by dividing the weight on each
sieve to the original sample weight
Ws .
8. Compute the percent passing or
percent finer by starting with 100
percent and subtracting the percent
retained on each sieve as a cumulative
procedure.
9. Prepare a logarithmic log of percent
finer versus grain size.
Note:
• If less than 12% of the soil sample
passes the number 200 sieve,
compute Cc and Cu and show in
the logarithmic graph.
If more than 12% of the soil sample
passes the number 200 sieve, conduct
a hydrometer analysis
Calculation:
Cum. % retained = Total mass
retained from largest sieve to current
sieve/ Total mass of sample
% finer = 100% - Cum. Mass retained
Soil Classification using USCS Method
Determine the %gravel, % sand,
%silt and clay of the sample.
Determine the value of the
uniformity coefficient, Cu and
coefficient of concavity, CC.
𝐷60
𝐶𝑢 =
𝐷10
 (𝐷30 )2
𝐶𝑐 =
𝐷60 𝑥𝐷10
Particle Size Distribution
110.00% 100.00%
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 100.00% 88.30%
90.00%

Finer/Passing (%)
Mass 80.00%
Sieve Opening Size
Retained Cumulative 70.00%
Mass (g) Finer/Passing (%)
No. (mm) 60.00%
(g) 50.00% 41.38%
4 4.75 0 0 40.00% 100.00%
10 2 58 58 30.00% 12.55% 88.30%
20.00%
20 0.85 232.5 290.5 3.37%
0.77%41.38%
0.18%
10.00%
40 0.425 142.9 433.4 0.00% 12.55%
10 1 0.1 0.01
60 0.25 45.5 478.9 3.37%
100 0.15 12.9 491.8 Opening Size (mm)0.77%
200 0.075 2.9 494.7 0.18%
PAN n/a 0.9 495.6 0.00%
Total Mass 495.6

Effective Size, 𝑫𝟏𝟎

𝑫𝟏𝟎 = 3.37 Particle Size Distribution
110.00% 100.00%
Uniformity Coefficient, 𝑪𝒖 100.00% 88.30%
90.00%
𝐷60 46.38
Finer/Passing (%)

𝐶𝑢 = = 80.00%
𝐷10 3.37 70.00%
60.00%
𝑪𝒖 = 13.76261128 50.00% 41.38%
40.00%
Coefficient Curvature, 𝑪𝒄 30.00%
20.00% 12.55%
(𝐷30 )2 (41.38)2 3.37%0.77% 0.18%
𝐶𝑐 = 𝐷60 𝑥𝐷10
=
46.38𝑥3.37
10.00%
0.00%
10 1 0.1 0.01
𝑪𝒄 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟗𝟓𝟓𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒𝟖
Opening Size (mm)

Percent Distribution

Type % Distribution
4. POSSIBLE SOURCES OF
ERROR
% Gravel 0%
Some computations might get wrong
if the person doing the experiment has missed
% Sand 99.82%
something during the activity or if the weight
of the sieve has been mistakenly written
% Silt and Clay 0.18% down. When doing the experiment, one must
make sure and double check the data in case
so that in the end they would avoid getting
back to square one and doing it all again just
because of the wrong information. Also,
make sure that when experimenting do things
thoroughly and avoid skipping steps.
5. APPLICATION TO THE
REAL-WORLD SITUATION /
PROBLEMS
Aggregate gradation (sieve analysis)
is the distribution of particle sizes expressed
as a percent of the total dry weight while
Gradation is determined by passing the
material through a series of sieves stacked
with progressively smaller openings from top
to bottom and weighing the material retained
on each sieve. By observation, we identified
that aggregates are good to be used in a
construction of structures and buildings is
that we have to sieve an amount of gravel and
sand from coarse down into fine pieces
wherein different sizes will be separated.
Aggregates that are to be used in
constructions must consist the different sizes
(fine and coarse) because it will help our
structure to be stronger and though.
Understanding particle size gives
manufacturers the information and control
needed to ensure delivery of high qualities
products across a variety of industries. If
you’re in an industry that relies on particle
size analysis, you’ll benefit from investing in
quality instruments to measure particle size.
ATA Scientific offers a range of products
perfect for this application, so browse
our product range today.
This is some examples in real world
application:
1. ASTHMA PUFFERS
For asthma sufferers, inhalers can help
relieve respiratory discomfort on a day-to-
day basis, and may even be the difference
between life and death, including;
• Construction of the device
• Particle size of the drug
• Technique of the user
• Respiratory flow of the user
2. INKS
From pens, to computer printers, to
professional book and screen printing – ink
applications are wide ranging. Ink is
essentially a fluid used to mark solids and
there is low tolerance for error when it comes
to the manufacturing quality of ink.
Particle size in pen ink relates largely to
pigments which can affect:
• Viscosity of the ink
• Colour
• Stability of the ink
3. CEMENT
In cement manufacturing, there are two key
areas where laser diffraction particle size
analysis can have a material impact:
• Controlling manufacturing costs
• Increasing performance
When particle size in cement manufacturing
plays such an important role in both price and
performance, it’s no wonder particle size
analysis is so widely used in this industry.
4. ROAD SAFETY
The effectiveness of reflective surfaces used
in road safety measures is dependent on the
particulate size and distribution of reflective
material. The reduction of impurities and
promotion of desirable particle distribution
can aid manufacturers in the production of 7. REFERRENCE
glass beads that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt1PK2
• Reflect over greater distances YqEgU
• Reflect more uniformly
• Last longer
Blatt, H., Middleton, G, and Murray, R.,
Given the importance of providing clearly 1980, Origin of sedimentary rocks,
visible and reflective markings on long Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 782 p
stretches of road and highway, accurate
testing using particle size analysis is vital to
ensure consistency and improvement.
https://www.atascientific.com.au/10-
6. CONCLUSION applications-particle-size-analysis/

Based on our experiment, Sieve analysis may

apply in the field of engineering because it
“I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE NOT GIVEN
helps in easy identification of a soil’s
OR RECEIVED ANY UNAUTHORIZED
mechanical properties. I therefore conclude
HELP ON THIS ASSIGNMENT, AND
that it is the easiest way to determine the
THAT THIS WORK IS MY OWN.”
particle size distribution of an aggregate. For
us to determine if aggregates are suitable to
be used in the construction of structure and
buildings, we must sieve a quality of gravel
and sand from coarse to fine pieces,
separating various size, and determining
whether the sieved aggregates are well
balanced, using graphs with percentages of
each sieve size to know if they are good to be
used in constructing different structures.