Title

Hydrometer analysis & Sieve analysis

Introduction

This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained within a soil.
The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the distribution of the coarser, larger-
sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used to determine the distribution of the finer
particles.
Sieve analyses are performed on aggregates used in roadway bases and in portland cement and
asphalt cement concretes. Sieve analyses reveal the size makeup of aggregate particles – from the
largest to the smallest. A gradation curve or chart showing how evenly or unevenly the sizes are
distributed between largest and smallest is created in this test. How an aggregate is graded has a
major impact on the strength of the base or on the properties and performance of concrete. In
portland cement concrete (PCC), for example, gradation influences shrinkage and shrinkage
cracking, pump ability, finish ability, permeability, and other characteristics.

Objectives

Sieve analysis- To obtain the particle-size distribution curve for a given soil sample and to
determine it’s the coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and coefficient of concavity (Cc).

Hydrometer analysis- To determine the particle-size distribution of a soil sample where the particle
size is smaller than 0.075mm in size.

Theory

Sieve analysis

Sieve analysis consists of Sharking the soil through a stack of wire screens (sieves) with openings
of known sizes. The definition of particle diameter for a sieves test is, therefore, the side
dimension of a square hole of relevant sieve. Sieve analysis is not suitable for the soil samples, in
which a large portion of the soil particles is smaller than 0.075mm (75μm) in size (passing through
the No.200 sieve). In such cases, the hydrometer analysis is used to define the particle - size
distribution.

Weight of soil retained = (weight of soil + Sieve) – Weight of sieve)

Percentage retained on any sieve = Weight of soil retained x 100

Total soil weight

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Cumulative percentage retained on any sieve =sum of percentages retained on the sieve)
An indication of the spread (on range) of particle size is given by the coefficient on uniformity
(Cu) which is calculated as,

Cu= D60
D10

The coefficient of concavity (Cc) is a measure of the shape of the curve between the D60 and
D10 grain size and is defined as;

Cc = D230
D10D60

Hydrometer analysis

Hydrometer analysis is used to determine the grain-size distribution of fine-grained soils

having particle sizes smaller than 0.075mm. The hydrometer analysis is based on “Stokes’
Law”, which gives the relationship among the terminal velocity of fall of sphere in a fluid, the
diameter of a sphere, the weights of the sphere and the fluid and viscosity of the fluid.

From Stokes’ Law,

(1)

Where, v is terminal velocity of a freely falling sphere, s is the unit weight of the sphere, f is
the unit weight of the fluid, is the viscosity of the fluid, and D is the diameter of the sphere.
Solving Eq. (1) for D, and replacing f by the specific gravity of water w ;

(2)

Eq. (2) can be used to calculate the diameter of particles, which are falling at the center level of
the bulb of the hydrometer. If L represents the distance of fall in time interval t, the velocity of
particle fall (v) is given;

(3)

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 Where, L (in cm) corresponding to each corrected hydrometer reading, Rc, (from Eq. (6)) can
be obtained from the Eq. (4) given below.

L = 16.295-0.165 Rc (4)
For the computational purposes, Eqs. (2) And (3) are combined together in Eq. (5) to obtain D
in mm.

(5)

Where, is in poise (refer Table 1), Gs is specific gravity of soil, w is in g/cm3, L is in cm and t in
min. The percent finer is related to the hydrometer reading (since it reads directly the grams of
soil still in suspension at the level of the bulb). The dispersing agent and test temperature will
change the specific gravity and these factors require corrections to be made so that the grams of
soil still in suspension after elapsed time t can be obtained from the actual hydrometer reading
(Ra). Corrections for the use of dispersing agent (Cd) on hydrometer readings can be
determined by using a sedimentation cylinder with water from the same source and the same
quantity of dispersing agent as that used in soil-water suspension. This jar of the water should
be at the same temperature as that of the soil-water suspension.

Apparatus

Sieve analysis


Set of sieves {2.36mm, 1.70mm, 1.18mm, 0.85, 0.60mm, 0.425mm, 0.25mm and 0.075mm
 Sieve shaker
 Sample splitter large evaporation dishes
 Spatula
 Brush
 Balance sensitive to 0.1 g
 Mortar and pestle

Hydrometer analysis


Hydrometer

 Mixer
 Dispersing agent
 Two graduated cylinders (1 litre capacity)
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 Thermometer
 Balance sensitive to 0.1g
 Timer
 Measuring cylinder
 Distilled water
 Drying oven
 Desiccator
 Syringe
 Large evaporation dishes
 Spatula

Experimental Procedure

Sieve analysis

(1) A soil sample was taken and aggregation of lumps are toughly broken up with the
fingers.
(2) Soil sample was dried at oven and allowed it to cool.
(3) Each sieve which is going to be used, was weighted.
(4) Stocks of sieves were arranged as largest sieve opening at top and smallest at
bottom.
(5) The pan was attached at bottom of sieve.
(6) The sample was poured in to top sieve and the cover plate was added to avoid and
loss of particles while shaking. [Figure (1)]
(7) The stock of sieve was placed on the mechanical shaker and shaking was applied
horizontal about 10 minutes. [Figure (2)]

Hydrometer analysis

(1) 50g sample soil passing No 200 sieve was accurately weighted.
(2) Weighted soil were placed in a container.
(3) 125ml of sodium Hexametaphospate solution was added to the container.
(4) Mixture was thoroughly mixed and be allowed to soak for 16 hours.
(5) Soaked soil sample were transfer, water was added to half fill the cup and stir well for
at least 3 minutes.
(6) Immediately after stirring “soil-water slurry” was transferred to glass cylinder and
distilled water was added until the volume was 100ml.

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(7) The palm of the hand was used over the open end of the cylinder and cylinder was
shake by turning it upside down and back for a period of 1 minute until a uniform
suspension is formed. [Figure (3)]
(8) Then the cylinder was placed in convenient location and the hydrometer was inserted
carefully. [Figure (4)]
(9) Hydrometer reading was taken in the suspension.

Figure (1) Figure (2)

Figure (3) Figure (4)

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 Conclusion
From these two lab experience we can identify that particle size distribution below 0.075mm
can be always using hydrometer analysis. The particle size distribution over 0.075mm can
analysis using sieve analysis, because of to go for hydrometer analysis rather than sieve
analysis for 0.075mm particle size distribution. As it’s very difficult and not practical to build
less than 0.075mm sieve. Both particles are very important to analysis the behavior of particle
size distribution of a soil sample in many important applications such as construction industry
and road construction.

Reference

 Terzaghi, K., Peck, R.B. and Mesri, G. (1996), Soil Mechanics in Engineering
Practice3rd Ed., John Wiley & Son. [Accessed 25 August 2015]
 Holtz, R. and Kovacs, W. (1981), an Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering,
Prentice-Hall, Inc. [Accessed 23 August 2015]
 Das, B.M., 2010. Principles of geotechnical engineering. Cengage Learning, Stamfort,
U.S.A., 666 p. [Accessed 24 August 2015]
 Coduto, Donald et al. (2011). Geotechnical Engineering Principles and Practices. New
Jersey: Pearson Higher Education. [Accessed 25 August 2015]
 1. Soil Textural Analysis. 2015. (Online) Available at:
http://www.cfr.washington.edu/classes.esrm.410/texture.htm. [Accessed 26 August 2015].
 2. Importance of Particle Size Distribution Emphasized in Proposed ASTM Soil and Rock
Standards. 2015. (Online) Available at:
http://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=3335. [Accessed 26 August 2015].