Soil Sieve Test

Advantages of soil sieve test

Particle size determination

Soil sieving tests provide a quantitative analysis of the particle size distribution of a soil sample. It helps determine the proportion of particles of different sizes present in the soil, from coarse gravel to fine clay. This information is critical to understanding soil behavior, permeability, compaction and other engineering properties.

Standardized procedure

Soil sieving tests follow standardized procedures and guidelines, ensuring consistency and comparability of results from different testing laboratories. This enables reliable data interpretation and facilitates effective communication between researchers, engineers and geotechnical professionals.

Cost-effectiveness

Performing a soil sieving test is relatively inexpensive compared to other soil characterization laboratory tests. The required equipment, such as sieves and sieve shakers, are often affordable and durable, making testing accessible to a wide range of users.

Non-destructive

Soil sieving testing is a non-destructive method in which the retained portion of soil is collected and used for further testing or analysis. This enables additional laboratory testing, such as hydrometer analysis or sedimentation testing, for specific particle size ranges of interest.

Field and Lab Flexibility

Soil sieving tests can be performed in both field and laboratory settings, depending on project requirements and sample availability. Portable sieve packs are available for field testing for on-site particle size analysis and immediate decision making.

Quick results

Soil sieving tests often provide relatively quick results, allowing quick assessment and decision-making during construction projects or soil surveys. This efficiency makes it valuable in time-sensitive situations where timely analysis is required.

Step-by-Step Guide for Soil Sieve Test

Here is a step-by-step overview of the sieve test procedure

1、Sample collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the desired location using appropriate sampling techniques.

2、Sample preparation: Air-dry the soil sample and remove any large aggregates or organic matter. Break down larger clumps gently using a mortar and pestle. Thoroughly mix the soil to ensure a homogeneous sample.

3、Sieve set selection: Choose an appropriate set of sieves based on the expected particle size range of the soil. The sieves are typically stacked with the finest sieve at the bottom and coarser sieves placed above in ascending order.

4、Sieving process: Weigh an empty clean pan or container and record its mass. Place the soil sample on the top sieve and cover it with the lid. Start the sieve shaker or manually agitate the sieves to facilitate particle separation. Continue the sieving process until no further particles pass through the sieves.

5、Weighing the fractions: Carefully remove each sieve from the stack and collect the soil retained on each sieve. Weigh the soil retained on each sieve and record its mass. Additionally, weigh the soil retained on the pan or container below the finest sieve.

6、Calculations: Calculate the percentage of soil retained on each sieve by dividing the mass of the soil retained by the initial mass of the soil sample and multiplying by 100. Determine the cumulative percentage passing for each sieve by subtracting the percentage retained from 100 and accumulating the values from the finest sieve to the coarsest.

7、Particle size distribution curve: Plot a particle size distribution curve using the particle sizes (sieve openings) on the x-axis and the cumulative percentage passing on the y-axis. This curve provides a visual representation of the soil's particle size distribution.

How to use Soil Sieve Test

1. From the air-dried loose soil sample, use the quarter method to obtain soil. The quantity of soil borrowed shall be executed according to the figure below the table;

2. Pass the sample through a 2mm sieve, and weigh the mass of the soil on the sieve and under the sieve. Take the soil on the 2mm sieve and pour it into the upper sieve of the coarse sieve, and pour the soil under the 2mm sieve into the upper sieve of the fine sieve (the analysis sieve is stacked from top to bottom) . Use a sieve shaker to fully sieve and analyze until the diameter of the soil particles on each sieve is larger than the sieve hole diameter, generally shake the sieve for 15 to 30 minutes;

3. Starting from the large-aperture sieve, remove each sieve in sequence, and weigh the soil left on each sieve to the nearest 0.1g. The difference between the sum of the soil mass on each sieve and the total soil mass shall not be greater than 1% of the total soil mass;

4. Calculate the particle group content and cumulative content, draw a gradation curve, obtain each characteristic particle size, analyze the gradation of the soil, and name it according to the specifications.

Soil particle size (mm)	＜2mm	＜10mm	＜20mm	＜40mm	＞40mm
Sampling mass (g)	100-300g	300-900g	1000-2000g	2000-4000g	Above 4000g

Proven solutions for our wide range of products

Soil Project	Standard	Test Sieve Requirements	Calibration Result
Moisture	Gravimetric method for determination of soil dry matter and moisture	Aperture 2mm	2.0mm
	HJ 613-2011
Organic Carbon	Determination of Soil Organic Carbon	Aperture 2mm	1.93mm
	Potassium Dichromate Oxidation - Spectrophotometry	Aperture 0.25mm	0.262mm
	HJ 615-2011
Chromium	Determination of total chromium in upper soil	Aperture 0.149mm	0.153mm
	flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry
	H491-2009
Copper	Determination of Soil Quality Copper and Zinc by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry	Aperture 2mm	2.07mm
Zinc	GE/T 17138-199T	Aperture 0.149mm	0.153mm
Lead	Determination of the quality of soil and pots Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry GB/T 17141-1997	Aperture 2mm	2.0mm
	Determination of lead and cadmium in soil quality KI-MIBK extraction
Cadmium	Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry B/T 17141-1997	Aperture 0.149mm	0.153mm