REPORT 1

Sieve Analysis
and
Silt content

KHALID ABBAS MOHAMMED

43907777

DR : ALI ALSHIKH

Sieve Analysis
Objective :
To obtain the grain size distribution curve for a given soil sample.

Introduction:
The grain size analysis test is performed to determine the percentage of
each size of grain that is contained within a soil sample, and the results of
the test can be used to produce the grain size distribution curve. This
information is used to classify the soil and to predict its behavior. The
two methods generally used to find the grain size distribution

Equipment:
Stack of sieves with a cover
Mortar and pestle or a mechanical soil pulverized
Balance
Oven
Mechanical sieve shaker
Brush

:PROCEDURE
A gradation test is performed on a sample of aggregate in a laboratory. A typical sieve
analysis uses a column of sieves with wire mesh screens of graded mesh size
A representative weighed sample is poured into the top sieve which has the largest
screen openings. Each lower sieve in the column has smaller openings than the one
above. At the base is a pan, called the receiver
The column is typically placed in a mechanical shaker, which shakes the column,
usually for a set period, to facilitate exposing all of the material to the screen openings
so that particles small enough to fit through the holes can fall through to the next
layer. After the shaking is complete the material on each sieve is weighed. The mass
of the sample of each sieve is then divided by the total mass to give a percentage
retained on each sieve. The size of the average particle on each sieve is then analyses
to get a cut-off point or specific size range, which is then captured on a screen
The results of this test are used to describe the properties of the aggregate and to see if
it is appropriate for various civil engineering purposes such as selecting the
appropriate aggregate for concrete mixes and asphalt mixes as well as sizing of water
.production well screens
The results of this test are provided in graphical form to identify the type of gradation
of the aggregate. The complete procedure for this test is outlined in the American
Society for Testing and Materials
C 136 and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation )ASTM(
Officials (AASHTO) T 27
A suitable sieve size for the aggregate underneath the nest of sieves to collect the
aggregate that passes through the smallest. The entire nest is then agitated, and the
material whose diameter is smaller than the mesh opening pass through the sieves.
After the aggregate reaches the pan, the amount of material retained in each sieve is
.then weighed

We put the dried aggregate specimen into the sample splitter and reduce the amount
till we get 2 kg of the specimen After nesting the sieves in order (starting from the
smaller at the bottom) the aggregate specimen is thrown into the sieves The nested
sieves are then moved to the mechanical shaker and left there for 15 minutes Then the
weight of the retained aggregate in each sieve is calculated using the Electronic
.weighting machine Table of the results is established and the Grading curve is drawn
 Result and calculations

Sieve size Retained (g) Individual Cumulative Cumulative

 percentage percentage percentage finer
retained retained

25 0 0 0 100

20 496.8 33.07 33.07 66.93

14 939.2 62.6 95.37 4.63

10 62.8 4.18 99.67 0.33

6.25 1.5 0.098 99.85 0.15

4.75 0.1 0.0076 99.86 0.14

Pan 0.6 0.055 99.9 0.08

total 1501.9 100 100 00

Engineering applications
Gradation is usually specified for each engineering application it is used for. For
example, foundations might only call for coarse aggregates, and therefore an open
gradation is needed. Sieve analysis determines the particle size distribution of a given
soil sample and hence helps in easy identification of a soil's mechanical properties.
These mechanical properties determine whether a given soil can support the proposed
engineering structure. It also helps determine what modifications can be applied to the
.soil and the best way to achieve maximum soil strength

CONCLUSION
In this laboratory exercise “Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates”, I
conclude that to know if an 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 and we will see
if the sieved aggregates are well balanced wherein our graphs with percentage of each
.sieve size will show which have more and less amount
Aggregates that are to be used in constructions must consist of the different sizes (fine
and coarse) because it will help our structure to be stronger and though. I conclude
that we’ve succeed and reached the objectives of this exercises and learned how to use
and separate different sizes of aggregates through sieving and graph them to see
percentages of each sizes are connected and good to be used in constructing different
structures. We may apply it in the field of engineering most especially in construction
of structures like buildings, roads, and bridges

Silt content
:Introduction
Silt content is a fine material which is less than 150 micron. It is unstable in the
presence of water It is unstable in the presence of water. If we use silty sand for
bonding, it will reduce the strength and cause rework You may be experienced this
while plastering for a roof where the mason tries to plaster the mortar where it gets
continually peel off Excessive quantity of silt not only reduces the bonding of cement
and fine aggregates but also affects the strength and durability of work. You can
check out this article for silt and clay properties In the field, we have to conduct silt
test for every 20 Cum of sand. This may vary

:Objective
Find out silt content in sand (fine aggregate)

Apparatus required
250 ml measuring cylinder
Water
Sand & Tray

Test Procedure

.First, we have to fill the measuring cylinder with 1% solution of salt and water up to 50 ml
.Add sand to it until the level reaches 100 ml. Then fill the solution up to 150 ml level
Cover the cylinder and shake it well (as shown in video)
After 3 hours, the silt content settled down over the sand layer
Now note down the silt layer alone volume as V1 ml (settled over the sand)
Then note down the sand volume (below the silt) as V2 ml
Repeat the procedure two more times to get the average

.The permissible Silt content in sand percentage is only 6%

 Silt Content test sand report
DETERMINATION OF SILT CONTENT

OBSERVATION SHEET

S.NO DESCRIPTIO SAMPLE NO

N
SAMP SAMP SAMP
LE 1 LE 2 LE 3

1 Volume
of
Sample
(V1) ml

2 Volume of
Silt (V2) ml

3 Percentage
of Silt
(V2/V1) *
100

Average