University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
EXPERIMENT 1
Sieve Analysis Test OF Sub
Base Test
Karbala University
Engineering College
Civil Engineering Department
Fourth Class
Group _B_
Road Laboratory
Kadhim falah nadhim
2019\10\24
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
Sieve Analysis
Scope
This specification covers the quality and grading of the following
materials for use in the construction of sub base , base , and surface
courses: sand-clay mixtures; gravel; stone or slag screenings; sand;
crusher-run coarse aggregate consisting of gravel, crushed stone, or slag
combined with soil mortar; or any combination of these materials. The
requirements are intended to cover only materials having normal or
average specific gravity, absorption, and gradation characteristics. Where
other materials are to be used, appropriate limits suitable to their use must
be specified.
Purpose
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.
Standard Reference
State Organization of Roads and Bridges (SORB/R6).
Equipment
1- Balance
2- Set of sieves
)50،25،9،4,75،2,36،0,3،0,075 (mm and pan
3- Cleaning brush
4- Sieve shaker
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
Test Procedure
1- Write down the weight of each sieve as well as the bottom pan to
be used in the analysis.
2- Record the weight of the given dry soil sample (4 kg).
3- Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the
ascending order of sieve numbers (No.2 sieve at top and #200 sieve
at bottom). Place the pan below #200 sieve. Carefully pour the soil
sample into the top sieve and place the cap over it.
4- Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10
minutes.
5- Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh and record
the weight of each sieve with its retained soil. In addition,
remember to weigh and record the weight of the bottom pan with
its retained fine soil.
Data Analysis
1- Obtain the mass of soil retained on each sieve by subtracting the
weight of the empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained
soil, and record this mass as the weight retained on the data sheet.
The sum of these retained masses should be approximately equals
the initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent
is unsatisfactory.
2- Calculate the percent retained on each sieve by dividing the weight
retained on each sieve by the original sample mass.
3- Calculate the percent passing (or percent finer) by starting with 100
percent and subtracting the percent retained on each sieve as a
cumulative procedure.
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
Table R6/1
Selected Granular Material – Grade Requirments
US Sieve Size Percent Passing by Weight
mm Alternative Type A Type B Type C Type D
75 3 in 100
50.0 2 in 95-100 100
25.0 1 in 75-95 100 100
9.5 3/8 in 30-65 40-75 50-85 60-100
4.75 No. 4 25-55 30-60 35-65 50-85
2.36 No. 8 16-42 21-47 26-52 42-72
0.3 No. 50 7-18 14-28 14-28 23-42
0.075 No. 200 2-8 5-15 5-15 5-20
Results & Calculations
Sieve mm Weight of Per.of Cum. Per. of Per. of
size retained (g) retained (%) retained (%) Passing (%)
1 ½ in 37.5 0 0 0 100
1 25.0 143 5.711 5.771 94.229
¾ 19.0 126 5.085 10.856 89.144
½ 12.5 272 10.977 21.833 78.167
⅜ 9.5 211 8.515 30.348 69.652
No. 4 4.75 338 13.64 43.988 56.012
No. 8 2.36 223 8.999 52.987 47.013
No. 50 300 µm 1063 42.90 95.887 4.113
No. 200 75 µm 102 4.116 100 0
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
Gradation Requirements for Soil-Aggregate Materials
Percent Passing
Max. limit Percent Passing
Min. limit Percent Passing
type A
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 ⅜ No. 4 No. 8 No. 50 No. 200
Percent Passing Max. limit Min. limit
type B
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 ⅜ No. 4 No. 8 No. 50 No. 200
Percent Passing Max. limit Min. limit
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
type C
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 ⅜ No. 4 No. 8 No. 50 No. 200
Percent Passing Max. limit Min. limit
TYPE D
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1 ⅜ No. 4 No. 8 No. 50 No. 200
Percent Passing Max. limit Min. limit
University of Kabala Fourth Class
College of Engineering Civil Engineering Department
Discussion
Sieve Analysis
1. The sample is unsuccessful and does not belong to any type of SUBBASE
From the result there are deviation in the subbase gradation because of
increase in some of particle size on another size.
2. We can correction this deviation by mixing this sample with another one that
have deviation in the gradation but decrease.
3. Cleaning the sieves well makes the results more accurate as well.
4. Gradation affects many properties of an aggregate. It affects bulk density,
physical stability and permeability. With careful selection of the gradation, it
is possible to achieve high bulk density, high physical stability, and low
permeability. This is important because in pavement design, a workable, stable
mix with resistance to water is important. With an open gradation, the bulk
density is relatively low, due to the lack of fine particles, the physical stability
is moderate, and the permeability is quite high. With a rich gradation, the bulk
density will also be low, the physical stability is low, and the permeability is
also low. The gradation can be affected to achieve the desired properties for
the particular engineering application.
