Test Method Title
Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis
Reference Number
ASTM D6913
Material
Soil
Test Property
Grain size
Description of Test
This test method is used to determine the particle-size distribution (gradation) of a soil sample. A representative specimen must be obtained from the sample by one of three procedures (moist, air-dried or oven-dried). For specimens containing relatively small particles, the specimen is sieved in its entirety, using single sieve-set sieving. However, the specimen may contain a wide range of particle sizes and may require separating the soil into two, or three size ranges for more efficient sieving, using one or two designated separating sieve(s). This process is termed composite sieving. For a single separation (two portions), the coarser portion is sieved in its entirety, while the finer portion is split into a smaller subspecimen for sieving. These results are mathematically combined. For specimens containing very large particles, the specimen may require two separations; i.e., three portions (1st and 2nd coarser portions and 2nd finer portion), see Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b). Prior to sieving, as applicable, the material will be washed to remove fine particles and oven dried. The material to be sieved will be placed on the coarsest sieve size of each sieve set and mechanically shaken. The mass of particles retained on each sieve will be determined. The results will produce a tabulation of sieve sizes versus percent passing that can be graphically presented as a gradation curve (a plot of the percent passing versus the log of the particle size in mm.).
Number of Test Specimens
1
Test Specimen Size
Material passing #10 sieve of 115 grams for sandy soil and 65 grams for silt and clay soil
Keywords
grain size, particle size, sieve analysis