WHAT IS
GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING?
Geotechnical Engineering is the systematic application of
techniques which allows construction on, in, or with geomaterials,
i.e., soil and rock. Every civil engineering structure and
construction is related to soil in some way, and subsequently, its
design will depend on properties of the soil or rock.
SOIL AND ROCK
FIRST TOPIC
SIEVE ANALYSIS
▪ The grain size analysis test is performed to determine the percentage of each
size of grain that is contained within a soil sample, and the results of the test
can be used to produce the grain size distribution curve. This information is
used to classify the soil and to predict its behavior. The two methods generally
used to find the grain size distribution are:
• Sieve analysis which is used for particle sizes larger than 0.075 mm in
diameter and
• Hydrometer analysis which is used for particle sizes smaller than 0.075 mm
in diameter.
▪ Sieve analysis is a method that is used to determine the grain size distribution
of soils that are greater than 0.075 mm in diameter. It is usually performed for
sand and gravel but cannot be used as the sole method for determining the
grain size distribution of finer soil. The sieves used in this method are made of
woven wires with square openings. The list of the U.S. standard sieve numbers
with their corresponding opening sizes are provided in Table 3.1.
SIEVE ANALYSIS
SIEVE ANALYSIS – EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
1. Obtain a representative oven-dried sample.
2. Pulverize the soil sample as finely as possible, using a mortar and pestle or a mechanical soil
pulverizer.
3. Obtain a soil sample of about 500 g and determine its mass W0 (g)
4. Stack the sieves so that those with larger openings (lower numbers) are placed above those with
smaller openings (higher numbers). Place a pan under the last sieve (#200) to collect the portion
of soil passing through it. The #4 and #200 sieves should always be included in the stack.
5. Make sure the sieves are clean, If soil particles are stuck in the openings, use a brush to poke
them out.
6. Weigh the pan and all of the sieves separately.
7. Pour the soil from above into the stack of sieves and place the cover on it. Put the stack in the
sieve shaker, affix the clamps, set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes, and start the shaker.
8. Stop the sieve shaker and measure the mass of each sieve and retained soil.
1
HOW TO DETERMINE THE PERCENT OF GRAVEL,
SAND, SILT, AND CLAY OF SOIL?
HOW TO DETERMINE THE PERCENT OF GRAVEL,
SAND, SILT, AND CLAY OF SOIL?
The percentages of gravel, sand, silt, and clay-size particles present in a soil can be
obtained from the particle-size distribution curve. According to the Unified soil
classification soil A in the Figure has:
• Gravel (size limit - greater than 4.75 mm) = 0%
• Sand (size limits - 4.75 to 0.075 mm) = percent finer than 4.75 mm diameter -
percent finer than 0.075 mm diameter = 100 - 62 - 38%
• Silt and clay (size limit - less than 0.075 mm) = 62%
THANK YOU!
ACTIVITY 2 - PRELIMS
SIEVE ANALYSIS (MASS OF DRY SOIL SAMPLE = 450 g)
SIEVE OPENING SIEVE WT. SIEVE + SOIL Wt. of SOIL PERCENT CUMMULATIVE PERCENT PERCENT
NUMBER (mm) (grams) Wt. (grams) (grams) RETAINED (%) RETAINED (%) FINER (%)
4 4.750 521.00 573.25
8 2.360 491.80 547.05
16 1.180 426.00 483.20
30 0.600 401.80 463.00
40 0.425 392.00 464.20
60 0.250 380.20 465.60
100 0.150 355.30 391.55
200 0.075 351.10 371.35
Pan - 364.20 374.20
Complete the missing values on the table.
Compute the values of Uniformity Coefficient and Coefficient of Gradation.
Determine the percentage of gravel, sand, silt and clay of the soil sample.
