ET1203 – Basic Soil Science (2023)

Department of Environmental Technology

Group 02
Practical number 09
Particle Size Distribution by Dry Sieve Method.

Index number: 2021t01058

Student name: Thalgahawatta S.P
Date: 8th of June 2023
Instructor name: Mr. Sachith Gamage
 Introduction:
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the particle size distribution of a soil sample
using the dry sieve method. Soil particle size is important for understanding soil properties such
as porosity and water holding capacity, which can affect plant growth and crop productivity.

Result and calculation:

Sieve Size Mass of Mass of Mass of Percent of Cumulative percent Percent
(mm) each sieve each sieve soil mass retained (ƩRn) finer 100-
(g) + retained retained retained ƩRn
soil (g) (Mo) on each
sieve (Rn)
2 574g 776.4g 202.4g 40.48 >2 40.48 59.52
0.85 494.4g 573.8g 79.4g 15.88 >0.85 56.36 43.64
0.425 477.6g 567.8g 90.2g 18.04 >0.425 74.4 25.6
0.25 408.8g 465.4g 56.6g 11.32 >0.25 85.72 14.28
0.106 402g 445.4g 43.4g 8.68 >0.106 94.4 5.6
Base 331g 350.4g 19.4g 3.88 Base 98.28 1.72

01. Moisture factor,

Weight of dry crucible M1= 41.9569g
Weight of crucible +soil M2 =106.8823g
Weight of crucible + dry soil M3 = 106.1526g

𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒

𝜃𝑔 = 𝑀2 − 𝑀3
𝑀3 − 𝑀1

= 106.8823𝑔 − 106.1526𝑔
106.1526𝑔 − 41.9569𝑔

= 0.01137

𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 (𝜃) = 𝑀2 − 𝑀3

𝑀3 − 𝑀1
 = 106.8823𝑔 − 106.1526𝑔
106.1526𝑔 − 41.9569𝑔

= 0.01137

𝑀𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 =1+𝜃

= 0.01137 + 1
= 1.0113

02. Manually drawn graph and a graph developed using MS Excel showing the percentage
finer versus average diameter of particles

Percentage Finer vs Average Diameter of Particles

70

60 59.52

50
Sieve Size (mm)

43.64
40

30
25.6
20
14.28
10
5.6

0 1.72
2 0.85 0.425 0.25 0.106 Base
Precent Finer

Percent finer 100- ƩRn

03. Mean diameter, Effective size, and Uniformity coefficients for samples

Mean Diameter (D50) = Diameter at 50%= 1.084259

Effective size (D10) = Diameter at 10% = 0.175903
Diameter at 60%=1.084259
 Uniformity Coefficient (CU) = Diameter at 60%
Diameter at 10%

= 1.084259/0.175903
= 6.164

Discussion:
• Sand, silt, and clay fractions [%] according to USDA and ISSS categorization, as well as
the soil textural class defined by the USDA textural triangle.
• Soils are often classed based on a certain attribute, such as infiltration or texture. The
fractions of sand, silt, and clay in soil classify soil textures. Classifications are often called
for the principal constituent particle size.
Textural class: Sand
Classification System

ISSS System USDA System

Soil Particle Diameter (mm) Soil particle Diameter (mm)
Coarse sand 2 – 0.2 Very coarse sand 2–1
Fine sand 0.2 – 0.02 Coarse sand 1 – 0.5
Silt 0.02 – 0.002 Medium sand 0.5 – 0.25
Clay < 0.002 Fine sand 0.25 – 0.1
Very fine sand 0.1 – 0.05
Silt 0.05 – 0.002
Clay < 0.002

Sieve size (mm) ISSS System USDA System

2 Coarse sand Very coarse sand
0.85 Coarse sand Coarse sand
0.425 Coarse sand Medium sand
0.250 Coarse sand Fine sand
0.106 Fine sand Fine sand

Conclusion:
The methodology used to compute the particle size distribution curve is the most crucial piece of
information in this paper.
Some of these actions include making a graph with the sieve mesh size on the x-axis and the
cumulative weight percentage or cumulative percentage finer on the y-axis, connecting the data
points to form a curve, calculating the D10, D50, and D60 values, calculating the uniformity
coefficient (UC) or coefficient of gradation (Cg), and interpreting and drawing conclusions from
the particle size distribution of the material.
These techniques will allow the fineness, grade, and conformity to specifications of the material
to be examined. Construction-related activities are also claimed to have increased the amount of
sand in this soil.
References:

➢ "Determination of particle size distribution by sieving method" [online] Available from:

https://courseware.cutm.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/experiment-8.pdf (Accessed by:
13th of June 2023)

➢ "Particle Size Analysis Using Sieve Method | Determination of the Appearance" [online]
Available from: https://www.chemicalslearning.com/2022/03/grain-size-analysis-sieve-
analysis.html (Accessed by: 13th of June 2023)