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Photos of Setup:

Separating of soil particles by sieving. Determining the mass of the soil sample.

The soil collected with their respective mass. The mixture is transferred to the glass
sedimentation cylinder.

Distilled or demineralized water added until The sedimentation cylinder and its contents
the mixture is a volume of 1000ml. are thoroughly shaken for one minute using
the palm of the hand.
Get the hydrometer reading. Place the cylinder in a water bath.

Take the hydrometer readings. Transfer the particles retained on the No.200
sieve to a drying pan and oven-dry them.
Laboratory Exercise No. 13
PARTICLE SIZE ANALYSIS OF SOIL (SIEVE AND HYDROMETER)

FINAL DATA SHEET

1. Percent retained and percent passing on No. 10 sieve

a. Total mass of air-dried soil sample = 522.84 g


b. Mass of portion retained on No. 10 (2.00 mm) sieve (washed and oven-dried) =
123.58 g
c. Percentage retained on No. 10 (2.00 mm) sieve = 55.35%
d. Percentage passing on No. 10 (2.00 mm) sieve = 44.65%

2. Sieve analysis of coarse grain retained on No. 10 sieve

Sieve Size Mass Retained, g Mass Passed, g % Passing


4.750 mm 165.79 357.05 68.29
2.00 mm 123.58 233.47 44.65
0.855 mm 105.15 128.32 24.54
0.425 mm 87.26 41.06 7.85
0.250 mm 35.97 5.09 0.97
0.150 mm 3.30 1.79 0.34
0.075 mm 1.79 0.00 0.00
522.84

3. Hydrometer Reading using 151H

Time Hydrometer Temperatur CC R L K D P


(min) Reading e (ºC) (cm) (mm (%)
(Actual) )
2 1.010 29.5 0.010 1.010 13.7
5 1.010 29.5 0.010 1.010 13.7
15 1.015 29.5 0.015 1.015 13.7
30 1.020 29.0 0.015 1.015 12.9
60 1.020 29.0 0.020 1.020 12.9
250 1.020 28.5 0.020 1.020 11.8
1440 1.020 28.0 0..020 1..020 11

Initial Temperature: 29.5 ºC


Final Temperature: 28.0 ºC

4. Hygroscopic moisture correction factor


a. Mass of oven-dried soil, g = 67.88
b. Mass of air-dried soil, g = 53.89
c. HMCF = 1.260

5. Sieve Analysis of fine grain passed on No.10 sieve

Sieve Size Mass Retained, g Mass Passed, g % Passing


2.00 mm 0.00 54.24 100
0.855 mm 0.17 54.07 99.69
0.425 mm 9.99 44.08 81.27
0.250 mm 17.41 26.67 49.17
0.150 mm 14.26 12.41 22.88
0.075 mm 12.41 0.00 0.00
54.24

6. Grain-Size Distribution Curve


Abstract:

This laboratory exercise gives us understanding on how to determine the particle size
distribution in soil. All group members were present and actively partook of the laboratory
exercise which was conducted in the Construction and Materials Testing’s Laboratory on 26 th
of February, 2018. This laboratory exercise can’t be conduct without the guidance of our
instructor. He gave us the instruction of what we will do for us to complete this laboratory
exercise, the list of equipment, and the procedures.

Particle size analysis of soil method describes a procedure for the quantitative
determination of the distribution of particle sizes in soils. The percentages of gravel and sand
fractions in a representative soil sample are determined by shaking it through the required
sieve sizes. The smaller size fractions, silt and clay both of which pass the No. 200 sieve, are
determined by hydrometer analysis. This involves measuring the settling velocity of these
particles when the sample is thoroughly dispersed in a soil water suspension. Since larger,
heavier particles settle out of suspension more rapidly, the time rate of settlement provides a
measure of the relative size of fine soil grains. Thus as the soil grains continue to settle with
elapsed time, the gravity of the soil-water suspension becomes lighter. A graduated
hydrometer immersed in the suspension at increasing time intervals measures the change in
gravity. By using the hydrometer readings so obtained in the proper formula, the percentages
of silt and clay fractions in the soil sample can be calculated. Thus knowing the percentages
of each grain size group in the sample, the soil can be assigned a definite textural
classification dependent upon the various amounts of sand, silt and clay combined to form the
soil mass.
Analysis and Interpretation of Data and Result:

The results we had gathered showed the direct relationship between temperature and
the hydrometer reading. As temperature decreases, the reading on the hydrometer seemed to
go down as well. By considering time intervals and readings in the hydrometer, we can say
that our obtained results seemed to fall to what is prescribed or expected. Considering our
data, the longer the time is, the lower the reading in the hydrometer becomes. This goes to
show that particles begin to settle down in the cylinder and thus, imposed a decrease in the
reading in the hydrometer.

There are many sources of error in this experiment. Human error in reading and
recording hydrometer readings and instrumental error are two sources of errors. The rough
insertion of the hydrometer adds error since it introduces disturbance to the soil mix, causing
turbulence. Moreover, the different size of grains in the sample introduces error since the
bigger particles will flocculate faster than the smaller sizes and cause disturbance. Air
bubbles floating on top of the liquid contributed to some error as well in reading the meniscus.
Another error for this experiment may include the surface tension on the hydrometer’s rod.
This may change how the hydrometer sinks into the solution. Also the placing and removing
the hydrometer from the cylinder may disrupt some of the displacement of the particles of the
soil-water causing false reading.

Lastly, the employment of three different corrections namely: the meniscus correction,
the temperature correction, and the dispersing agent correction can really improve the results.
These corrections reduced the errors of some factors observable in the performance of the
experiment. By having this, we can assure accurate results.
Conclusion:

In the sieve analysis process, soil is basically shaken through a set of sieves that have
progressively smaller openings. Sieves that are taken for the process are U.S. standard
sieves. Sieve analysis of soil determines the size range of particles present in a soil
expressed as a percentage of the total dry weight. Sieve analysis can only be implemented
for the soils with particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in diameter (passing through No. 200
sieve). Where a large portion of the soil particles is smaller than 0.075 mm, hydrometer
analysis is used to define the particle – size distribution.

Hydrometer analysis is governed by the principal of sedimentation of soil grains in water.


The settlement of a diffused soil sample in water depends on the shape, size, and weight of the
soil particles and the viscosity of the water.

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