CIVL-3580 MATERIALS TESTING & CMDP-2008 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND TESTING
MECHANICAL SIEVE ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT
1. Name the four basic soil types and list them in order of particle size (from largest to smallest).
Gravel > Sand > Silt > Clay
2. Name the three tests required to classify a soil in terms of its particle size and plasticity. Explain
what each test provides (i.e. why are all three tests needed?).
Mechanical Sieve Analysis: Determines the gradation of coarse-grained soils (gravel and sand). This test helps classify
coarse-grained soils but cannot differentiate between silt and clay.
Hydrometer Analysis: Used for fine-grained soils (silts and clay), as it determines the proportion of fine particles. This test
provides finer details for silt and clay.
Atterberg Limits Test: Measures the plasticity of fine-grained soils (silt and clay) to classify their behaviour under moisture
changes. This test determines soil plasticity which affects its engineering properties.
3. What two types of soil are analysed in a mechanical Sieve Analysis?
Gravel & Sand
4. What is the significance of the No. 200 sieve?
The No. sieve has a 0.075mm opening and it separates coarse-grained soils (sand & gravel) from
fine-grained soils (silt & clay). Any material passing through No. 200 are classified as coarse-grained
soils.
5. On a particle size distribution graph, how do we determine whether a soil is poorly graded or
well-graded? Which soil type is better to use?
The distribution curve in a well-graded soil graph covers a wide range of particle sizes, forming a long
slanted line. A poorly graded soil graph will have a short and steep distribution curve, indicating
similar sized material. Well-graded soil will be preferred for construction because it has better
compaction, strength, and load bearing properties
6. a.) Complete the data sheet (the yellow highlighted boxes).
b.) Plot the results on the particle size distribution graph.
c.) What is the percent fines, sand, and gravel. (Whole number to the nearest %)?
d.) Does the material meet the specifications as noted in the right-hand column? Plot the specs
on the grain size plot.
e.) Calculate the Uniformity Coefficient to 1 decimal place (Cu).
𝐷
𝐶𝑢 = 𝐷60
f.) Is the sample well-graded or poorly-graded?
d.) Since the masses of the sample fall into the limits that were given, it does meet the
specifications.
e.) Cu =
2.35
= 15.7
0.15
f.) Since the Cu ≥ 6, the sample is considered as well-graded
10
CIVL-3580 MATERIALS TESTING & CMDP-2008 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND TESTING
Total Dry Mass Before Wash [g]
1065
Total Dry Mass After Wash [g]
975
Test date:
____________________________
Course title:
____________________________
Lab group no.:
____________________________
Sample description: ____________________________
____________________________
Metric
[mm]
U. S.
Standard
Individual
Mass
Retained,
[g]
19
3/4”
0
1065
100
16
5/8”
44
1021
95.9
12.5
1/2”
105
916
86
9.5
3/8”
88
828
77.7
12.5
1/4"
102
729
68.5
4.75
#4
69
657
61.7
60-85
2.36
#8
2.00
#10
185
472
44.3
35-80
1.18
#16
0.850
#20
156
316
29.7
0.630
#30
0.425
#40
62
254
23.9
0.300
#50
0.180
#80
77
177
16.6
0.150
#100
23
154
14.5
0.075
#200
61
93
8.7
3
90
8.5
Sieve Size
Pan
Total sample mass
after sieving [g]
Calculations
975
Total Loss of Fines = 1065g - 975g = 90g
% Passing by Mass
Individual Mass
Passing,
(g)
Sample
Grading
Limits
100
20-50
2-9
CIVL-3580 MATERIALS TESTING & CMDP-2008 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND TESTING
GRAIN SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Grain Diameter (mm)
0.0001
% Finer by Weight
100
2
3
0.001
4 5 6 78
2
3
0.01
4 5 6 78
Size of opening (inches)
Mesh Size (Openings per inch)
200 100 80 50 40 30 20 16 10 8 4
2
3
1
4
4 5 6 78
3
1
5
3
1
1
8
2
8
4
2
2"
" " " " " 1” 1 ” 2” 2
3”
100
90
90
80
80
70
70
60
60
50
50
40
40
DISTRIBUTION
30
CLAY _________ %
8.7
SILT
__________
%
FINES
20
S
53
SAND _________
%
10
38.3 %
GRAVEL _______
0
2
3
4 5 6 78
0.0001
2
3
0.001
0.002 mm*
ASTM/Unified
CLAY
2
4 5 6 78
3
0.01
Grain Size, mm
SILT
4 5 6 78
1
0.1
No. 200
No.40
10
No.10
¾“
No.4
SAND
Fine
Medium
100
GRAVEL
Coarse
Fine
*ASTM D653 defines clay size as smaller than 0.002 mm, while ASTM D422 (hydrometer analysis) uses smaller than 0.005 mm
AASHTO
CLAY
SILT
SAND
3 in
GRAVEL
Coarse