1. Collect Approximately 15 Lbs. of an Oven Dried (Granular Soil) Sample

Sieve Analysis

1.  Collect approximately 15 lbs. of an oven dried (granular soil) sample.

2.  Break the soil into individual particles using a mortar/pestle or rubber mallet and sampling pan.

3.  Determine the weight of the sample to the nearest .1g and record as W.

4.  Prepare a stack of sieves: 1 1/2”, 1”, 3/4”, 3/8”, #4, #10, #20, #40, #60, #140 and #200 & pan. Sieves with larger openings are placed on top of sieves with smaller openings.

5.  Pour the sample into the stack and place the cover on top.

6.  Shake for 10 minutes. The mechanical shaker can only take about 4 sieves at a time, so you may have to break the stack down and shake the sample several times.

7.  Weigh the amount of soil retained on each sieve and record.

8.  Weight the amount of fine material left in the bottom pan.

9.  KEEP THE FINE MATERIAL LEFT IN PAN!!!! LABEL A DISH AND PLACE YOUR FINES IN IT….SET ASIDE.

10.  Perform calculations and plot.

11.  Prepare next weeks material:

a.  Weight out 50 grams of fine material.

b.  Place in a 250 ml beaker

c.  Add 125 ml of 40g/L Sodium Hexametaphosphate.

d.  Stir sample until all particles are wetted.

e.  Cover sample with wax paper & label with group number.

GRAPH & CALCULATIONS

1.  Calculate: (See Table)

a.  Percent of Mass Retained

b.  Cumulative Percent Retained

c.  Percent Finer

2.  Plot the Percent Passing (Finer) vs. Grain Size (mm) on semi-log paper

(see attached example). The data to be plotted will be in the shaded columns.

Sieve No. / Opening Size (mm) / Weight Retained (g) / % Retained / Cumulative % Retained / % Passing
1 ½”
1”
¾”
3/8”
No. 4
No. 10
No. 20
No. 40
No. 60
No. 140
No. 200
Pan

W original sample (g) ______