City of Antipolo Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Construction Engineering Technology and Management

CE5: GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
Laboratory Report 03.
Exercise 03: Determination of Particle Size by Sieve Analysis

Name: Gatlabayan, Crozzle Mae S. Date of Conduction: 02/17/2023

Student Number: 2021-767 Date of Submission: 02/24/2023
Year and Section: 2-O Instructor: Engr. Albert Sabado

I. INTRODUCTION
The grain size analysis test is performed to identify the percentage of
each grain size present in a soil sample, and the findings of the test are
used to generate the grain size distribution curve. This information is
utilized to classify and forecast the behavior of the soil. The two most
common approaches for determining grain size distribution are:
 Sieve analysis for particle sizes greater than 0.075 mm in diameter
and
 Hydrometer analysis for particle sizes less than 0.075 mm in
diameter.
Sieve analysis is a technique used to determine the grain size distribution
of soils with particle sizes larger than 0.07 mm. It is typically used for sand
and gravel, but it cannot be used alone to determine the grain size
distribution of finer soils. This approach employs sieves composed of
braided wires with square apertures. Table 3.1 provides a listing of the
U.S. standard sieve numbers and their respective opening widths.
II. OBJECTIVES
 To obtain the grain size distribution curve for a given soil sample.
III. INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES

 Stack of sieves with a  Balance, sensitive to 0.1 g

cover  Oven
 Mortar and pestle or a  Mechanical sieve shaker
mechanical soil pulverized  Brush

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IV. PROCEDURES
1. Clean and dry the volumetric flask.
2. Carefully fill the flask with de-aired, distilled water up to the
500 ml mark (The bottom of the meniscus should be at the
500 ml mark).
3. Measure the mass of the flask and the water W1
4. Insert the thermometer into the flask with the water to determine
the water’s temperature (T= T1°C.)
5. Put approximately 100 grams of air-dried soil into an
evaporating dish.
6. For cohesive soil, add de-aired and distilled water to the soil and
mix it until it forms a smooth paste. Soak it for one-half to one
hour in the evaporating dish. (This step is not necessary for
granular, i.e., non-cohesive soils.)
7. Transfer the soil (if granular) or the soil paste (if cohesive) into
the volumetric flask.
8. Add distilled water to the volumetric flask containing the soil
or soil paste until it is about two-thirds full.
9. Remove the air from the soil-water mixture by applying a
vacuum pump or an aspirator until all of the entrapped air has
been removed. Notice that this is an extremely important step,
as most errors in the results of the test are due to entrapped air
that has not been removed.
10. Add de-aired, distilled water to the volumetric flask until the
bottom of the meniscus touches the 500 ml mark. Dry the
outside of the flask and the inside of the neck above the
meniscus.
11. Determine the combined mass of the bottle plus soil plus water
(W2)
12. Pour the soil and water into an evaporating dish. Use a plastic
squeeze bottle to wash the inside of the flask, making sure that
no soil is left inside.

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 13. Put the evaporating dish into an oven to dry it to a constant
weight.
14. Determine the mass of the dry soil in the evaporating dish
(Ws).

V. DATA AND RESULTS

TABLE 1: Observed and Acquired Values

SAMPLE NO. 1 2 3 Average

Mass of flask + water filled to mark, 659 g 659 g 659 g 659 g

W 1 (g)

Mass of flask + soil + water filled to 719 g 720 g 720 g 719.67 g

mark, W 2 (g)

Mass of dry soil, W s (g) 99.37 g 99.77 g 101.05 g 103.06 g

Water Temperature, T 1 (°C) 20.4°C 20.4°C 20.4°C 20.4°C

Temperature Correction Factor, A 0.9999 0.9999 0.9999 0.9999

(from Table 1.2)

Specific Gravity, G s 2.52 2.57 2.52 2.43

Note: Interpolation is used to determine the exact value of Temperature

Correction ‘Factor as the data acquired is 20.4°C.

VI. FORMULA AND COMPUTATION

Formula:
 Specific Gravity at 20.4°C
WS
GS = ×A
W 1+ W S −W 2
 Interpolation

Computation:

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  Specific Gravity: Trial 1, 2, 3, and average
99.37
GS 1 = ×0.9999
659+ 99.37−719

GS 1 =2. 52
99.77
GS 2 = ×0.9999
659+ 99.77−720
GS 2 =2. 57

101.05
GS 3 = × 0.9999
659+ 101.05−720
GS 3 =2 .52

103.06
GSave = ×0.9999
659+103.06−719.67
GSave =2 . 43
 Interpolation: Temperature Correction at 20.4°C
(20.4−21)(1−0.9998)
x= + 0.9998
(20−21)
x=0.9999

VII. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

The group obtained the values reported in Table 1 by carefully

following the step-by-step instructions provided prior to the
lecture/discussion of the laboratory exercise. The usage of tap water as
opposed to distilled water had an effect on the data seen by the group
when some components of this laboratory exercise were altered, such as
the water source. Hence, with three trials, taking the average of repeated
observations has helped the group reduce random error and other factors
that may prevent obtaining the best possible data.

Furthermore, it is noticeable from the table that the Water

Temperature, T1 (°C) has the same value of 20.4 °C. This is because the
exercise was done in room temperature and that the source of tap water

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 used is the same for all the three trials. Additionally, since the acquired
temperature of 20.4 °C is not an absolute value, the group used
interpolation to determine the exact value of Temperature Correction of
0.9999.

Moreover, the average acquired specific gravity of soil of 2.43 is an

adequate result to say for the least considering that the group did not use
distilled water but instead, tap water. As according to R. Berenguel, the
use of tap water is not advisable for determining the specific gravity of soil
as its density or specific gravity isn't constant and is always higher than
distilled water; because the density or specific gravity of tap water varies
over time and is almost never as high as that of distilled water. Distilled
water also has the advantage of being cheaper.

Lastly, the Mass of Dried Soil was also tabulated for the reason that
The natural moisture content of the soil is an important factor that is
evaluated in practically every soil test. Understanding the natural moisture
content of the soil is necessary for any and all investigations pertaining to
soil mechanics. To use just one example, the amount of natural moisture
present is considered while calculating bearing capacity and settlement.
The percentage of soil that is naturally damp might provide some insight
into the condition of the soil in the field.

VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In conclusion, the washed sand that was used by the group, with its
natural characteristics of being inorganic — naturally occurring material of
granulated rocks with small grains of rock and granular materials —in

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 comparison to the standard specific gravity of sand ranging from 2.60-2.67
according to Parala Maharaja Engineering is an adequate result taking into
consideration the water that was used, which may have caused the data to
not be the same as standard specific gravity of washed sand.

In However, with a specific gravity of 2.43 acquired from three trials of

the laboratory exercise, from the perspective of a Construction Engineer,
we can say that the sample may not be porous enough to be used in a
project because it still depends on the requirement that a project will have
to demand. This is because the specific gravity of the soil was acquired
from three trials of the laboratory exercise. An engineer can make use of
this measurement of the sample to accomplish essential calculations, such
as determining whether or not the sample will be stable enough to support
a structure and allow for proper drainage given the weather conditions at
the site.
Furthermore, as for the recommendation and matters to be corrected
for future groups that will perform the same laboratory exercise, the group
will recommend that in order to obtain a better and more accurate Specific
Gravity of Soil, it is best to have a background knowledge on the exercise
and walk through the procedure prior to activity execution in order to avoid
making errors during the actual laboratory experience. In addition, the
group will discuss the matters that need to be corrected for future groups
that will perform the same laboratory exercise. However, in order to
achieve the best outcomes, it is advisable to be prepared with all of the
necessary equipment and materials. This is especially important if you are
going to be conducting the exercise with actual application of the
conclusion to field works.

IX. APPENDIX
DOCUMENTATION

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X. REFERENCES
Backus, B. (2017). Specific Gravity of Soil. GILSON Company, INC.
https://www.globalgilson.com/blog/soil-specific-gravity-test

https://uta.pressbooks.pub/soilmechanics/chapter/55/
Prakash, K., Sridharan, A., Thejas, H. K., & Swaroop, H. M. (2012). A
simplified approach of determining the specific gravity of soil
solids. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 30, 1063-1067.

https://www.pmec.ac.in/images/lm/3_GTE_Lab_Manual.pdf