FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE SOIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECG263

LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1

CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%) 33

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK (WEEK 4)

TITLE Particle Size Distribution (PSD) – Sieve Analysis (Dry sieving)

1.1 Introduction
Level 1 laboratory activity refers to condition where the problem and ways & means are
guided and given to the students. However the answers to the assignment are left to the
students to solve using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity is hope to slowly
introduced and inculcate independent learning amongst students and prepare them for a
much harder task of open ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the usage of sieving tests to determine
the particle size distribution of soil.

1.2 Objective
This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a
soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the
coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the
distribution of the finer particles.

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:
1. Conduct the particle size distribution (psd) – sieve analysis (dry sieving)
2. Analyse data correctly and present in typical format
3. Work in a group to produce technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

A basic element of the soil classification system is by determining the particle size of the soil.
The distribution of the particle sizes larger than 0.0075 mm is determine by sieving, while
smaller than 0.0075 mm is determine by sedimentation process (hydrometer analysis).
Below is the list of the particle size from largest to smaller:

 Boulders : rocks that have an average diameter greater than 300 mm.
PREAMBLE
 Cobbles : rocks that are smaller than 300 mm and retained on
the 75 mm.
©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL
 Gravel size particle : rock fragment or soil particles that will pass a 75 mm
sieve and be retained on a 4.75 mm.
 Sand size particle : soil particle that will pass a 4.75 mm sieve and be retained on a
0.075 mm.
 Silt size particle : fine soil particles that pass the 0.0075 mm sieve and are larger
than 0.002 mm.
 Clay size particles : fine soil particles that are smaller than 0.002 mm.

Two method of sieving are specified:

i) Wet sieving is the definition method applicable to essentially cohesionless soils.

ii) Dry sieving is suitable only for soil containing insignificant quantities of silt and clay.

2.0 Problem Statement

A soil consists of an assemblage of discrete particles of various shapes and sizes. The object
of a particle size analysis is to group these particles into separate ranges of sizes and so
PROBLEM determine the relative proportions, by dry mass of each size range. As a group you are given
STATEMENT
a set of samples to determine the soil classifications.
The group must carry out the test following the procedures outline and subsequently analyse
the data and present it in a proper technical format.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 3.1 Apparatus

i. Weighing Balance
ii. Set of sieves (75 mm,63 mm, 50 mm, 37.5 mm, 28 mm, 20 mm, 14 mm, 10
mm, 6.3 mm, 5 mm, 3.35 mm, 2 mm, 1.18 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.425 mm, 0.3 mm,
0.212 mm, 0.150 mm, 0.063
mm) iii. Cleaning brush iv. Mechanical
sieve shaker v. Lid and receiver (pan) vi.
Riffle box

WAYS AND
MEANS

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 3.2 Procedures

1. Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to be used in the analysis.
2. Record the weight of the given dry soil sample (initial mass of dry soil : 2 kg)
3. Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order of
sieve numbers (75 mm sieve at top and 10 mm sieve at bottom). Place the pan below 10
mm sieve. Carefully pour the soil sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it.
4. Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record the weight of each
sieve with its retained soil. In addition, remember to weigh and record the weight of the
bottom pan with its retained fine soil.
6. Repeat the procedures for second stage, using the retained soil in the pan. Riffle if
necessary.

3.3 Data Acquisition

1. Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the empty
sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained soil, and record this mass as the weight
retained on the data sheet. The sum of these retained masses should be approximately
equals the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent is
unsatisfactory.
2. Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each
sieve by the original sample mass.
3. Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100 percent and
subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.
4. Record the data and complete the PS1 Form.
5. To obtain Percentage
retained (%);

6. To obtain Cumulative
percentage
passing (%);

7. Plot the semi logarithmic curve on PS4 Form (% Passing vs Particle Diameter)
8. From the curve, determine the following;
a) The composition of Gravel (%)
b) The composition of Sand (%)
c) The composition of Silt (%)
d) The composition of Clay (%)
e) D60 (mm) = Maximum size of the smallest 60% of the sample
f) D30 (mm) = Maximum size of the smallest 30% of the sample
g) D10 (mm) = Maximum size of the smallest 10% of the sample
h) Coefficient of Gradation
(𝐷30)2
𝐶𝑔 =
𝐷60 × 𝐷10
i) Coefficient of Uniformity
𝐷
𝐶𝑢 = 60
𝐷10
j) Classification of the soil based on British Soil Classification System (Refer to BS5930
(2015): General Identification and Description of Soil)
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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

Job no. Site BH/Pit no. BH/Pit no.

Project Sample no. Sample no.

Client Depth (mm) Depth (mm)

Soil Descr.

Initial mass of dry soil used (g) Test Dry Sieving

method
BS Sieve Mass of Mass of mass of Corrected Percentage Cumulative
opening sieve/pan sieve/pan soil mass retained percentage
size only and soil retained retained passing

(mm) (g) (g) (g) (g) (%) (%)

75
STAGE 1

63

50

37.5

28

20

14

10

Soil passing 10 mm, A

Riffled sample used, B

Riffling correction, C1 = A/B

6.3
STAGE 2

3.35

Soil passing 3.35 mm, D

Riffled sample used, E

Riffling correction, C2 = A/B * D/E

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 1.18

STAGE 3
0.6

0.425

0.3

0.212

0.15

0.063

Soil Passing 63 µm

Total

Tested by Checked by Date

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PASIR GU DANG LABORATORY MANUAL

4 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

Result
1. Attach the table of the result (PS 1)
2. Plot the semi log graph (PS4) & complete the details required in the graph template.
RESULTS

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results highlighting the
data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of the set-out output to
achieve the objective.
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22

 BS5930 (2015): GENERAL IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF SOIL

©FKA, UiTM PASIR GUDANG MARCH – AUG22