Sieve Analysis

And
USCS Classification of Soil

Presented by Course Instructor

Pratik Adhikari Manab Rijal
Shiva Aryal Visiting Faculty
Sunil Basnet Department of Civil Engineering
Abbal Chhatkuli
Anish Kunwar Chhetri
Luis Dahal
 Outline
1. Sieve Analysis
2. Soil Classification
3.USCS Classification
 Sieve Analysis
 Method to determine the size range of particles present in
a soil
 Suitable for coarse grained soil

i.e.. Particle size >0.075mm

 Involves shaking of the soil sample through a set of sieve
series that have progressively small openings.
 Reference : ASTM(2010) Standard C136 and D422.
U.S. standard sieve numbers and the sizes of openings

Note: as the standard sieve number increase, the

openings become smaller
Procedure:
1. Oven-dry the soil
2. Break all lumps into small particles
3. Shake the soil sample through a stack of sieves with
openings of decreasing size from top to bottom.
3. Determine the mass of soil retained on each sieve
4. Calculate the percentage passing or the percentage
retained corresponding to each of the sieve .
5. Plot the percentage passing against the sieve sizes to
obtain a plot for particle size distribution.
Fig. Series of sieves with progressively small openings
Fig. Particle Size Distribution curve
Major Parameters from the curve:
1. Uniformity coefficient (Cu):
 crude shape parameter defined as:

 The smaller the value of ; the more uniform the

gradation.
 If =1; the soil would be only of one grain size

 D60 = grain diameter (in mm) corresponding to 60% passing

 D10 = grain diameter (in mm) corresponding to 10% passing, by weight

2. Coefficient of gradation (Cc):
 Also known as coefficient of curvature and
defined as:
 Soil Classification
 Separation of soil into different classes or groups each
having similar characteristics and potentially similar
behaviour.
 Major Categories for classification

A.The textural Classification

B.Classification based on the behavior of soil
a. AASTHO Classification
b.USCS Classification
 USCS Classification
 Reference: ASTM(2010) standard D-2487
 Basic Concept:
 Coarse grained soil can be classified according to the
grain size distribution
 Property of the fine grained is governed by their
plasticity and hence is classified based on Atterbergs
limit.
 Only the result of sieve analysis and the Atterberg limits
are necessary.
Classification Method
Step1: Distinction between coarse and fine grained soil
 Reference sieve size: No 200 sieve ( 0.075mm)
 More than 50% retained on the sieve= Coarse grained soil
further division: Gravel (G) OR Sand (S)
 More than 50% passing from the sieve = Fine grained soil
further sub division: Silt OR Clay
3rd Major Distinction: Highly organic soils
Group name= Peat (Pt)
consists primarily of organic matter, dark brown to black in
colour and have organic odor
For coarse grained soil
Step 2: Distinction between gravel and sand
Reference sieve size: No 4 sieve ( 4.75mm)
 More than 50% retained on the sieve= Gravel
 More than 50% passing from the sieve = Sand
further sub division: Clean (gravel/sand) with or
without fines
Step 3: Determination of the nature of gradation
 Reference sieve size: No 200 sieve ( 0.075mm)
 Less than 5% fines: GW/SW OR GP/SP
 Between 5% to 12% fines: dual nature
 Greater than 12% fines: GC/SC OR GM/SM
 Distinction based on the values of
For fine grained soil
Step 2: Distinction on the basis of Liquid Limit (LL)
– Categories:
Silt and Clays with LL<50
Silt and Clays with LL>50
further sub division: Inorganic OR Organic
Step 2: Determination of Nature of Fines
Reference Parameter: Plasticity chart (A line)
Fig. Plasticity Chart