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Laboratory Activity No. 1

I. Introduction:
Basic methods used in many sectors are sieve analysis and limit testing. These techniques
are essential for figuring out the distribution of particle sizes and evaluating the quality of
granular materials, such soils. Engineers and researchers can help with the design and
optimization of buildings and products by gaining insights into the physical attributes and
performance characteristics of materials through the systematic sieving and analysis of
samples.

It was assigned to our class to bring a sample of undisturbed soil so that we could do a
limit test and use sieve analysis to look at particle distribution. In this lab report, we examine
the fundamentals of sieve analysis and how to use it to ascertain the soil sample's liquid and
plastic limits.

II. Objectives:
This lab report's primary goal is to look into the particle distribution of a certain soil sample
taken. Sieve analysis is used in San Pedro Bm Area, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, to
determine the boundaries of the sample. Our objectives with this experiment are to:

1. Recognize the fundamentals of sieve analysis and its importance in defining the
distribution of particle sizes.
2. Identify the soil's properties, particularly the Liquid and Plastic limits.
3. Acquire proficient in sieve analysis and limit testing.

I. Materials:
Soil Samples
Set of sieves with various mesh sizes ranging from coarse to fine
Oven (optional, use only if samples are not dry)
Weighing Scale
Aluminum Basin
Fine Soil Specimen
Water
Casagrande Liquid Limit Device
Grooving Tool
Spatula
Moisture Cans/Container
Glass Plate

IV. Procedure:
For Sieve Analysis
1. To make sure the soil samples are free of organic matter and debris, gather samples and
have them cleaned.
2. Let the soil sample air dry. As an alternative, dry the sample in an oven.
3. For use in further computations, note the dry soil sample's original mass.
4. Place the coarsest sieve at the top and the finest at the bottom of the sieves, arranged in
descending order of mesh size.
5. Place the dried soil sample on the upper sieve, then fasten the sieve stack to the sieve
shaker machine or mechanical shaker for a duration of five to ten minutes.
6. Following the sieving process, gently take each sieve out of the stack and weigh the soil
that is kept on each one.
7. Keep a record of the data and evaluate it.

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For Particle Distribution Test

A. Liquid Limit Test

1. Calibrate the height of fall of the liquid limit device it will use for a fall exactly 1 cm
(not over ± 0.1mm).
2. Take air dried soil passing No.40 and No. 50 sieve as well as on the bottom pan and
place it in a mixing container. Add small amount of water little by little and carefully
mix the soil by using spatula to form a uniform paste.
3. Place a portion of the paste in the brass cup of the liquid limit device and level it off to
a maximum depth of about 1 cm. Smooth out the surface of the paste until it covers the
brass cup.
4. Draw the grooving tool from top to bottom through the sample along the symmetrical
axis of the brass cup.
5. Turn the crank handle at a rate of 2 RPS (revolution per second) so that the brass cup
is lifted and dropped. Record the number of blows (N) required, closing the groove
along a distance.
6. Remove a quantity of soil (about 10 g) from the portions of the sample and put it in a
moisture container.
7. Repeat the process by adding little by little amount of water to the soil paste and putting
10 g sample on a moisture can. Make at least 4 samples for liquid limit testing.
8. Bake the samples in the oven and record the weight of each sample after drying.
9. Record and analyze the data gathered.

B. Plastic Limit Test

1. Take about 20 g of plastic soil (set aside earlier during the preparation for liquid limit).
2. The soil should be kneaded into several smaller samples. Roll the soil between fingers
on a glass plate to form a uniform thread of 3 mm diameter.
3. If the diameter of the thread becomes less than 3 mm without cracks, it shows that the
water content is more than the plastic limit. Knead the soil to reduce the water content
and roll it again to thread.
4. Repeat the process of alternate rolling and kneading until the thread crumbles and the
soil can no longer be rolled into thread.
5. Collect the pieces of the crumbled soil thread in a moisture container and determine its
water content.
6. Repeat the procedure at least twice more with fresh samples of plastic soil each time.
7. Record and analyze the data gathered.

For Formulas and Calculations

A. Sieve Analysis

Formula 1:

To get the Cumulative Mass Retained (CMR), summate all the values of the Mass
of Soil Retained in each sieve.

𝐶𝑀𝑅 = ∑ 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒

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Formula 2:

To get the Percentage of Soil Retained (%𝑆𝑅), divide the Mass of the Soil Retained
(𝑀𝑆𝑅) on each sieve by the Initial Mass of the Soil Sample (IMS) and multiply by 100.

M𝑆𝑅
%𝑆𝑅 = × 100
IMS

Formula 3:

To get the Percentage of the Soil Passing (%𝑆𝑃) , subtract the Percentage of Soil
Retained (%𝑆𝑅) on the sieve nested beneath.

%𝑆𝑝 = 100% − %𝑆𝑅

%𝑆𝑃 = 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 %𝑆𝑃 − %𝑆𝑅

Formula 4:

To get the Coefficient of Uniformity (𝐶𝑈), divide the Particle size at 60% finer
(D60) by the Particle Size at 10% Finer (D10)

𝐷60
𝐶𝑈 =
𝐷10

NOTE: A value of 𝐶𝑈 greater than 4 to 6 classifies the soil as well-graded. When it is less
than 4, it is classified as poorly graded or uniformly graded soil.

Formula 5:

To get the Coefficient of Curvature (𝐶𝐶), square the Particle Size at 30% Finer
(D30) and divide it by the Particle Size at 60% Finer (D60) multiplied by Particle Size at
10% (D10) Finer.

𝐷302
𝐶𝐶 =
𝐷60 × 𝐷10

NOTE: For the soil to be well graded, the value of 𝐶𝐶must range between 1 and 3.

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A. Limit Testing

Formula 6:

To get the Water Content (WC) of the sample, subtract the Weight of the Wet Soil
(𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑊𝑆) by the Weight of the Dry Soil (𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆).

𝑊𝐶 = 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑊𝑆 − 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆

Formula 7:

To get the Percentage of Moisture Content (%MC), subtract the Weight of the Wet
Soil (𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑊𝑆) by the Weight of the Dry Soil (𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆) and divide it by the Weight
of the Dry Soil (𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆), then multiply by 100.

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑊𝑆 − 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆
%𝑀𝐶 = × 100
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝐷𝑆

To get the Liquid Limit (LL) of the soil sample, make a Flow Curve Chart and plot
the Percentage of The Moisture Content (%MC) with the Number of Blows (N). Using the
Flow Curve Chart, plot and get the Percentage of Moisture Content with 25 blows to
determine the Liquid Limit (LL).

Formula 8:
To get the Plastic Limit (PL), summate all the Percentage of Moisture Content
(%MC) of every sample and divide it by the number of samples.

∑ %𝑀𝐶
𝑃𝐿 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠

Formula 9:
To get the Plasticity Index (PI), subtract the Liquid Limit (LL) by the Plastic Limit
(PL).

𝑃𝐼 = 𝐿𝐿 − 𝑃𝐿

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V. Data Gathered and Results

A. Sieve Analysis

Weight of the basin: 133.5 grams

Weight of the sample soil with the basin: 2.1815 kg
Initial total mass of the sample soil: 851 grams

Table 1.1
Tabulated Data of the Sieve Test
Sieve Sieve Mass of Soil Cumulative Mass Percentage Percentage of
Number Opening Retained (g) Retained of Soil Soil Passing
Size (g) Retained (%)
(in) (%)
1 1 1 0.5 0 100
1/2 0.5 351 204.66 24.05 75.95
3/8 0.375 242 141.11 16.58 83.42
1/4 0.250 349.5 203.79 23.94 76.06
4 0.187 282.5 164.72 19.36 80.64
8 0.0787 0.664 0.39 0.05 99.95
10 0.0469 886.5 516.90 60.74 39.26
16 0.0234 250 145.77 17.13 82.87
30 0.0165 178.5 104.08 12.23 87.77
Bottom 0.0117 171.5 100 11.75 88.25
Pan

Table 1.1 shows the tabulated and calculated data acquired from sieve analysis.
Using Formula 1, we acquired the Corrected Total Mass of the soil sample. Using Formula
2, we were able to get the percentage of soil retained on each sieve. By using Formula 3,
we were able to acquire the percentage of the soil passing through each sieve.

Table 1.2
Percentage of the Material Content in the Soil

Type of Material Percentage of Material

Content (%)
Gravel 37
Sand 0
Fines 63

Table 1.2 shows the tabulated and calculated percentage of the material in the soil
sample. Together with Figure 1.1, we can identify that the soil sample is composed mainly
of gravel with 37% and gravel with 63%

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Table 1.3
Diameter of the Particles Against 60%, 30%, and 10% Finer & The Coefficient of Uniformity
and The Coefficient of Curvature

Diameter of
Passing Between Particles Coefficient of Coefficient of
(mm) Uniformity (𝑪𝑼) Curvature (𝑪𝑪)
60 5.712700422
30 2.543334177
10 0.60638 9.420990834 1.867327684

Table 1.3 shows the Diameter of the Particles Against 60%, 30%, and 10% Finer
& The Coefficient of Uniformity and The Coefficient of Curvature.

We acquired the Coefficient of Uniformity (𝐶𝑈) using Formula 4, and the

Coefficient of Curvature (𝐶𝐶) using Formula 5. It is noted in the formulas that a value of
CU greater than 4 to 6 classifies the soil as well-graded. When it is less than 4, it is classified
as poorly graded or uniformly graded soil. And, for the soil to be well graded, the value of
CC must range between 1 and 3. Since 𝐶𝑈 = 9.42, and 𝐶𝐶 = 1.87, therefore our soil sample
is classified as well-graded.

The data above will be used for further activity and experiment. The soil remained
on Sieve No. 40 and No. 50, including the pan are the samples that we used for the Limit
Testing, since these are the samples that had the finer grains of soil sample.

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B. Limit Testing

Weight of fine soil specimen from Sieve Number 40 – 18.5 grams

Weight of fine soil specimen from Sieve Number 50 – 14.5 grams
Weight of fine soil specimen from Bottom Pan – 51 grams
Total weight of fine soil sample – 84 grams

Table 1.4
Tabulated Data for Liquid Limit (LL) Test
Sample Weight of Weight of Wet Weight of Dry Water Number
Container Soil + Container Soil + Container Content Percentage of Blows
(g) (g) (g) (g) of Moisture
Content
(%)
1 8.5 18.5 16 2.5 33.33 36
2 8.5 18.5 15.5 3 42.86 30
3 8.5 18.5 15 3.5 53.85 23
4 8.5 18.5 14.5 4 66.67 15

Table 1.4 shows the tabulated data needed for determining the Liquid Limit (LL)
of the soil sample. We acquired the value of the Water Content by using Formula 6, and
the Percentage of Moisture Content using Formula 7.

Table 1.5
Tabulated Data for Plastic Limit (PL) Test
Sample Weight of Water
container Weight of Weight of Content Percentage of
(g) Container + Wet Container + Dry (g) Moisture
Soil Soil Content
(g) (g) (%)

1 8.5 18.5 16 2.5 33.33

2 8.5 18.5 15.5 3 42.86
Plastic Limit = Average Moisture Content = 38.10

Table 1.5 shows the tabulated data for Plastic Limit Test, and it is observed that the
average of the percentage of moisture content is 38.10% which is also the Plastic Limit
(PL) of the soil sample.

Given that the Liquid Limit is 50.645% and the Plastic Limit is 38.10%, we can
now get the Plasticity Index of the soil sample by using Formula 9, which will give us a
Plasticity Index of 12.545%

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VI. Conclusion
Our group, the BSCE Block 2C students, were given the assignment to bring a
sample of undisturbed soil and use sieve analysis to look at particle distribution. We have
investigated the fundamentals of sieve analysis and how it may be used to ascertain the
properties and boundaries of a soil sample through this exercise.

We were able to determine the sample's plastic and liquid limits as well as become
more accustomed to and skilled in sieve analysis and limit testing thanks to our primary
goal of examining the particle distribution of a soil sample from a specific area in
Barangay San Pedro specifically in BM area, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

We were able to complete the experiments, collect the required data and
information, carry out the required computations, and determine our sample's liquid limit,
plastic limit, and plasticity index.

Using particle size distribution and sieve analysis, we were able to identify the
fine and coarse aggregates in our soil sample. After gathering and calculating all the
required data, we were able to conclude that our soil sample is well-graded based on the
findings of the Coefficient of Uniformity and Coefficient of Curvature.

Furthering to our experiment, we utilized the data from sieve analysis for the next
activity which is the Limit Testing. The soil remaining on Sieve No. 40 and No. 50,
including the bottom pan, are the samples that we used for the Limit Testing, since these
are the samples that had the finer grains of soil sample.

We eventually obtained the information required to determine the soil sample's

Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index by following the protocols for the Limit
Testing. After conducting extensive trials, gathering essential data, and doing meticulous
calculations, we determined that the average liquid limit (LL), expressed as a percentage,
for our soil sample subjected to 25 blows is 50.645%. In percentage terms, the Plastic
Limit (PL) is 38.10%. Lastly, 12.545% is the Plasticity Index.

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VII. Documentation

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VIII. References

- Gacutan, A. U. (n.d.). CE 121 LAB #1_Sieve Analysis of Fine & Coarse Aggregates.
Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/439656718/CE-121-LAB-1-Sieve-Analysisof-
Fine-Coarse-Aggregates
- CE 121 LAB #1 - Sieve Analysis of Fine & Coarse Aggregates | PDF | Teaching
Mathematics | Nature. (n.d.). Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/439656718/CE-
121-LAB-1-Sieve-Analysis-of-Fine-Coarse-Aggregates
- Nicely Jane Eleccion. (2018, March 21). Sieving Final Report.
https://www.slideshare.net/NicelyJaneEleccion/sieving-final-report
- Sieve Anaysis Lab Report - PROJECT 2 NAME: KIPROP COLLINS REG. NO.: ABS231-
0119/ COURSE: B .C .M - Studocu. (n.d.). Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/row/document/jomo-kenyatta-university-of-agriculture-
andtechnology/soil-science/sieve-anaysis-lab-report/22829555
- Transportation. (n.d.). https://transportation.org/technical-training-
solutions/wpcontent/uploads/sites/64/2023/02/AT-TC3CN025-18-T1-JA061.pdf
- Part 2 - mechanical analysis of Soil. CIVL 1101 Mechanical Analysis of Soil. (n.d.).
http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/filtration/filtration-
2.html#:~:text=A%20well%20graded%20soil%20will,(for%20gravels%20and%20sands

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