The document introduces methods for mechanical particle-size analysis of soils using sieve analysis and hydrometer testing. Sieve analysis separates soil particles of different sizes using a stack of sieves with decreasing aperture sizes. Hydrometer testing uses stokes law to determine particle sizes smaller than the #200 sieve based on particles' settling rates in water. The results are presented as particle size distribution curves showing the percentage of particles finer than each size. Information on particle sizes can predict soil properties like permeability and frost susceptibility. Proper procedures and representative sampling are needed to minimize errors.
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The document introduces methods for mechanical particle-size analysis of soils using sieve analysis and hydrometer testing. Sieve analysis separates soil particles of different sizes using a stack of sieves with decreasing aperture sizes. Hydrometer testing uses stokes law to determine particle sizes smaller than the #200 sieve based on particles' settling rates in water. The results are presented as particle size distribution curves showing the percentage of particles finer than each size. Information on particle sizes can predict soil properties like permeability and frost susceptibility. Proper procedures and representative sampling are needed to minimize errors.
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Objective: To introduce the reader to methods of making a mechanical particle-size analysis of a soil and presenting the resulting data
and to made classification by using sieve analysis and hydrometer. Equipment: Mechanical sieve analysis 1- set sieves 2- representative and pulverization 3- balance sensitive to 1.0 g 4- supply of thoroughly air-dried 5- shaker Hydrometer analysis: 1- hydrometer 2- timer 3- thermometer 4- cylinder have capacity to 1000ml General discussion: Some type of particle-size analysis is universally used in the engineering classification of soils it is also used in concrete and asphalt mix design for pavements. Particle-size is one of the suitability criteria of soils for road, airfield, dam, and other embankment construction. Information obtained from particle-size analysis can be used to predict soil-water movement, although permeability tests are more generally used. the susceptibility to frost action in soil, an extremely important consideration in colder climates, can be predicted from the particle-size analysis described here. Material must be larger than the soil being protected so the filter pores permit passage of water but collect the smaller soil particles from suspension. The size bracketing is done by stacking a series of sieves ranging in aperture size from the largest at the top to the smallest and sieving a known quantity of material through the stack. This is don by placing the material on top sieve and shaking to separate the particles into ever smaller diameters from the top to the bottom. In this context it is evident that all the material below any sieve in a sieve stack is finer than the material on that sieve or any sieve on the stack above it. the computation of particle size versus percent finer thus become quite simple, as illustrated later.
The sieving process does not provide information in the shape of the particles, that is, whether they are angular or rounded. If you want an indication of particle shape you will have to look at some of the particles under magnification. The particle size analysis is presented as a semi log plot of percent finer versus particle size. This makes it easier to compare several soils. It should be evident that a particle size distribution curve can only be approximate. This is for the several reasons considered here, including physical limitation on obtaining a statistically representative sample. Hydrometer analysis is a widely used method of obtaining in estimate of the distribution of soil particle size rim the No. 200. The data are plotted in semi log plot of percent finer versus particle diameter and may be combined with the data from a mechanical analysis of a material retained on the No. 200. The particle size distribution curve when more the 12 percent is (-) No 200is not used in any soil classification system. However, the hydrometer test for clay friction can be an extension of the sieve analysis used for a classifying a particular soil. This test is not likely to be done on a soil unless an appreciable quantity passes the No 200 sieve in a mechanical analysis. The hydrometer analysis is based on stokes law whish gives the relationship among the velocity of fall of spheres in a fluid, the diameter of the sphere, the specific weight of the sphere and the fluid, and the fluid velocity. In equation from this relationship is V = (D/2)^2 * (Gs - Gf )*2/9*n Solving equation: D = (18nv/Gs Gf )^1/2 obviously, to solve equation one needs to obtain the velocity term v, to the correct value of Gs ,and Gw and the have access to table of viscosity of water. Since both the specific gravity of water and its viscosity vary with temperature. By mixing a given quantity of soil with water small amount of dispersing agent to form a 1000 ml quantity of suspension, one obtains with a specific gravity lager than 1.0. A dispersing agent usually added to neutralize the particle charge on the smaller soil particles. Sodium hexametaphosphate, and sodium silicate or water glass, are two materials often used as dispersal agent to neutralize the soil particle charges. A 125 mL quantity of 0.04 solution of sodium metaphosphat in the 1000 mL of soil water suspension is usually adequate.
Procedure : 1- Obtain representative sample equal one kilo 2- Wash the soil by water on sieve #200 and the retained soil on that sieve called coarse and the passing soil called fine. 3- Weigh the sieve and recorded data and put them from larger to smaller 4- Put coarse soil on the sieve 5- Weigh sieve and soil on it and recorded data And for hydrometer 1- We take a representative sample equal 50 g of fine. 2- Obtain 3 cylinder and put in the first water and in the second water and dispersing and in the last one water and dispersing (125with concentration 4 %) and sample of soil. 3- Put the hydrometer in the 3 cylinders slowly and recorded your data with time
Sieve No (3/4) (1/2) (3/8) #4 # 10 # 20 # 40 #60 # 100 # 200 Pan Soil not passed
Sample of calculation for hydrometer analysis@ 1min.
actual Hydrometer reading = 1.02 +13Div =1.02 + 13*0.0005 =1.0265 Composite Correction @24 c = ( Weigh of water + disp ) ( Weigh of water ) = ( 1.0 + 9 Div ) - ( .995+ 5 Div) = 1.0025 - 0.9995 = 0.003 Hydrometer reading with composite correction applied = Actual hydraulic Composite = 1.0265 - 0.003 =1.0235
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L ( cm ) from table 7-4 = 9.3 ***** Value of ( K ) from ( table 7.3 ) 2.70 (2.72) 24C 0 .01282 x (by inter polation k = 0.012748 ) Diameter of soil particle D(mm) = K*(L/T)^.1/2 = 0.012748*(9.3/1) ^ (1/2) = 0.038876 mm G = 2.72 W = 50 g G1 =1 P = ( (100,000/W) * G /(G G1 ) )( R G1 ) Actual P = P * ( % passing sieve No 200 ) Actual p = 64.556 2.75 0 .01264
Discussion and conclusion: 1- Information obtained from particle size analysis can be used to predict soil water movement. 2- The diameter of the soil particle in the mass of soil retained on any sieve have smaller diameters than the mesh opening of any of the sieve above this one 3- Classification tests of soil are very important because is universally used in the engineering classification of soil and also used in concrete and asphalt mix design for pavement.
Error: 12345we dont wash the sample as good we dont shaking the sample enough time (10 to 15 min ) the reader can not take exact division in hydrometer test read the weight sieves or sample there is an inherent error in the use in an air dry sample because the distribution of hygroscopic water depends in particle size.
