Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis

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Published date

05-18-2017

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American Society for Testing and Materials

CONTAINED IN VOL. 04.09, 2017 Pertains to separate particles into size ranges and to determine quantitatively the mass of particles in each range.

1.1Soils consist of particles with various shapes and sizes. This test method is used to separate particles into size ranges and to determine quantitatively the mass of particles in each range. These data are combined to determine the particle-size distribution (gradation). This test method uses a square opening sieve criterion in determining the gradation of soil between the 3-in. (75-mm) and No. 200 (75-µm) sieves.

1.2The terms, soils and material, are used interchangeably throughout the standard.

1.3In cases where the gradation of particles larger than 3 in. (75 mm) sieve is needed, Test Method D5519 may be used.

1.4In cases where the gradation of particles smaller than No. 200 (75-µm) sieve is needed, Test Method D7928 may be used.

1.5Typically, if the maximum particle size is equal to or less than 4.75 mm (No. 4 sieve), then single-set sieving is applicable. Furthermore, if the maximum particle size is greater than 4.75 mm (No. 4 sieve) and equal to or less than 9.5 mm (³/₈-in sieve), then either single-set sieving or composite sieving is applicable. Finally, if the maximum particle size is equal to or greater than 19.0 mm (³/₄-in sieve), composite sieving is applicable. For special conditions see 10.3.

1.6Two test methods are provided in this standard. The methods differ in the significant digits recorded and the size of the specimen (mass) required. The method to be used may be specified by the requesting authority; otherwise Method A shall be performed.

1.6.1Method A—The percentage (by mass) passing each sieve size is recorded to the nearest 1 %. This method must be used when performing composite sieving. For cases of disputes, Method A is the referee method.

1.6.2Method B—The percentage (by mass) passing each sieve size is recorded to the nearest 0.1 %. This method is only applicable for single sieve-set sieving and when the maximum particle size is equal to or less than the No. 4 (4.75-mm) sieve.

1.7This test method does not cover, in any detail, procurement of the sample. It is assumed that the sample is obtained using appropriate methods and is representative.

1.8Sample Processing—Three procedures (moist, air dry, and oven dry) are provided to process the sample to obtain a specimen. The procedure selected will depend on the type of sample, the maximum particle-size in the sample, the range of particle sizes, the initial conditions of the material, the plasticity of the material, the efficiency, and the need for other testing on the sample. The procedure may be specified by the requesting authority; otherwise the guidance given in Section 10 shall be followed.

1.9This test method typically requires two or three days to complete, depending on the type and size of the sample and soil type.

1.10This test method is not applicable for the following soils:

1.10.1Soils containing fibrous peat that will change in particle size during the drying, washing, or sieving procedure.

1.10.2Soils containing extraneous matter, such as organic solvents, oil, asphalt, wood fragments, or similar items. Such extraneous matter can affect the washing and sieving procedures.

1.10.3Materials that contain cementitious components, such as cement, fly ash, lime, or other stabilization admixtures.

1.11This test method may not produce consistent test results within and between laboratories for the following soils and the precision statement does not apply to them.

1.11.1Friable soils in which the sieving processes change the gradation of the soil. Typical examples of these soils are some residual soils, most weathered shales and some weakly cemented soils such as hardpan, caliche or coquina.

1.11.2Soils that will not readily disperse such as glauconitic clays or some dried plastic clays.

1.11.3To test these soils, this test method must be adapted, or altered, and these alterations documented. Depending on the design considerations, a specialized gradation-testing program could be performed. The alterations could require the washing and sieving procedures to be standardized such that each specimen would be processed in a similar manner.

1.12Some materials that are not soils, but are made up of particles may be tested using this method. However, the applicable sections above should be used in applying this standard.

1.13All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026, unless superseded by this test method.

1.13.1The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user's objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.14Units—The dimensional values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard, such as 200-mm or 8-in. diameter sieve. Except, the sieve designations are typically identified using the “alternative” system in accordance with Practice E11, such as 3 in. and No. 200, instead of the “standard” system of 75 mm and 75 µm, respectively. Only the SI units are used for mass determinations, calculations, and reported results. However, the use of balances or scales recording pounds of mass (lbm) shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.

1.15A summary of the symbols used in this test method is given in Annex A1.

1.16This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.17Table of Contents—All tables and figures appear at the end of this standard.

	Section
Scope	1
Method A	1.6.1
Method B	1.6.2
Sample Processing	1.8
Units	1.14
Referenced Documents	2
ASTM Standards	2.1
Terminology	3
General	3.1
Definitions	3.2
Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard	3.3
Summary of Test Method	4
Significance and Use	5
Apparatus	6
Sieves	6.1
Standard Sieve Set	6.1.1
Washing Sieve, No. 200 (75-μm)	6.1.2
Designated Separating Sieve	6.1.3
Washing Sink with Spray Nozzle	6.2
Mechanical Sieve Shaker	6.3
Balances	6.4
Drying Oven	6.5
Sieving Containers	6.6
Specimen Containers	6.6.1
Collection/Transfer Device	6.6.2
Cumulative Mass Container	6.6.3
Sieve Brushes	6.7
Miscellaneous Items	6.8
Splitter or Riffle Box (optional)	6.9
Quartering Accessories (optional)	6.10
Mortar and Rubber-Covered Pestle (optional)	6.11
Low Temperature Drying Oven (optional)	6.12
Ultrasonic Water Bath (optional)	6.13
Dispersion Shaker (optional)	6.14
Reagents	7
Sodium Hexametaphosphate	7.1
Dry Addition	7.1.1.1
Solution	7.1.1.2
Preparation of Apparatus	8
Verification of Sieves	8.1
Verification Interval	8.1.1
Verification of Mechanical Sieve Shaker and Standard Shaking Period	8.2
Large Mechanical Sieve Shaker	8.2.1
Verification Interval	8.2.2
Hand Sieve Shaking Procedure	8.2.3
Sampling	9
General	9.1
Sample Sources	9.2
Bulk Samples	9.2.1
Jar and Small Bag Samples	9.2.2
Intact Tube Samples	9.2.3
Samples from Prior Testing	9.2.4
Specimen	10
General	10.1
Minimum Mass Requirement	10.2
Selection of Sieving Procedure	10.3
Single Sieve-Set Sieving	10.3.1
Composite Sieving	10.3.2
Specimen Procurement	10.4
Moist Procedure	10.4.1
Air-Dried Procedure	10.4.2
Oven-Dried Procedure	10.4.3
Discussion on Segregating Soils	10.4.4
Specimen Procurement and Processing Requirements	10.5
Moist Procedure, Single Sieve-Set Sieving	10.5.1
Moist Procedure, Composite Sieving	10.5.2
Coarse Portion Acceptable Loss (CP_L)	10.5.2.3
Air-Dried Procedure, General	10.5.3
Air-Dried Procedure, Single Sieve-Set Sieving	10.5.4
Air-Dried Procedure, Composite Sieving	10.5.5
Oven-Dried Procedure, General	10.5.6
Oven-Dried Procedure, Single Sieve-Set Sieving	10.5.7
Oven-Dried Procedure, Composite Sieving	10.5.8
Procedure (Sieving)	11
General	11.1
Mass Measurements	11.2
Sieve Overloading	11.3
Single Sieve-Set Sieving	11.4
Specimen Mass	11.4.1
Specimen Dispersion	11.4.2
Soaking without a Dispersant	11.4.2.1
Soaking with a Dispersant	11.4.2.2
Using an Ultrasonic Water Bath	11.4.2.3
Washing Specimen	11.4.3
General Precautions	11.4.3.1
Transfer Specimen	11.4.3.2
Washing	11.4.3.3
Transfer Washed Specimen	11.4.3.4
Dry Sieving	11.4.4
Sieve Set	11.4.4.1
Mechanical Shaking	11.4.4.2
Cumulative Material/Mass Retained	11.4.5
First Sieve	11.4.5.1
Remaining Sieves	11.4.5.2
Composite Sieving, Single Separation	11.5
Coarser Portion	11.5.1
Dispersing and Washing	11.5.1.1
Dry Sieving Coarser Portion	11.5.1.3
Subspecimen from Finer Portion	11.5.2
Dispersing and Washing Subspecimen	11.5.2.1
Dry Sieving Subspecimen	11.5.2.2
Composite Sieving, Double Separation	11.6
Separating 1^st Subspecimen	11.6.1
Dispersing and Washing 2^nd Coarser Portion	11.6.2
Dry Sieving 2^nd Coarser Portion	11.6.3
2^nd Subspecimen	11.6.4
Dispersing and Washing 2^nd Subspecimen	11.6.4.1
Dry Sieving 2^nd Subspecimen	11.6.4.2
Calculations	12
General	12.1
Sieve Overloading	12.2
Single Sieve-Set Sieving, Percent Passing	12.3
Composite Sieving, Mass of Specimen	12.4
Composite Sieving, Single Separation	12.5
Composite Sieving, Coarser Portion (CP)	12.5.1
CP, Percent Passing	12.5.1.1
CP, Composite Sieving Correction Factor (CSCF)	12.5.1.2
CP, Acceptable Loss During Washing and Sieving	12.5.1.3
Composite Sieving, Subspecimen (finer portion)	12.5.2
Percent Passing, Specimen (combined coarser and finer portions)	12.5.2.1
Subspecimen, Acceptable Fractional Percent Retained	12.5.2.2
Percent Passing, Acceptance Criterion	12.5.2.3
Finer Portion, Percent Passing (optional)	12.5.3
Composite Sieving, Double Separation	12.6
1^st Coarser Portion	12.6.1
1^st Subspecimen	12.6.2
Percent Passing, 2^nd Coarser Portion	12.6.2.1
2^nd Coarser Portion, Composite Sieving Correction Factor (2^ndCSCF)	12.6.2.2
2^nd Coarser Portion, Acceptable Loss on Sieving and Washing	12.6.2.3
2^nd Coarser Portion, Acceptable Fractional Percent Retained	12.6.2.4
Percent Passing, Acceptance Criterion	12.6.2.5
2^nd Subspecimen	12.6.3
Percent Passing, 2^nd Subspecimen	12.6.3.1
2^nd Subspecimen, Acceptable Fractional Percent Retained	12.6.3.2
Percent Passing, Acceptance Criterion	12.6.3.3
1^st Finer Portion, Percent Passing (optional)	12.6.4
2^nd Finer Portion, Composite Sieving Correction Factor (optional)	12.6.4.1
2^nd Finer Portion, Percent Passing for 2^nd Subspecimen (optional)	12.6.4.2
Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)	13
Precision and Bias	14
Precision	14.1
Precision Data Analysis	14.1.1
Calculation of Precision	14.1.2
Acceptance Criterion	14.1.2.4
Triplicate Test Precision Data (TTPD)	14.1.3
TTPD-Method A Repeatability	14.1.3.1
TTPD-Method A Reproducibility	14.1.3.2
TTPD-Method B Repeatability	14.1.3.3
TTPD-Method B Reproducibility	14.1.3.4
Single Test Precision Data (STPD)	14.1.4
STPD-Method A Reproducibility	14.1.4.1
STPD-Method B Reproducibility	14.1.4.2
Soils Type	14.1.5
Discussion on Precision	14.1.6
Bias	14.2
Keywords	15
ANNEXES
Symbols	Annex A1
Sample to Specimen Splitting/Reduction Methods	Annex A2
General	A2.1
Mechanical Splitting	A2.1.1
Quartering	A2.1.2
Miniature Stockpile Sampling	A2.1.3
Sample Processing Recommendation Based on Soil Type	A2.2
Clean Gravel (GW, GP) and Clean Sand (SW, SP)	A2.2.1
Gravel with Fines (GM, GC, GC-GM, GW-GM, GP-GM, GP-GC)	A2.2.2
Sand with Silt Fines (SW-SM, SP-SM, SM)	A2.2.3
Sand with Clay and Silt Fines or Clay Fines (SW-SC, SP-SC, SC, SC-SM)	A2.2.4
Silts with Sand or Gravel, or Both (ML, MH)	A2.2.5
Organic Soils with Sand or Gravel, or Both (OL, OH)	A2.2.6
APPENDIXES
Example Test Data Sheets/Forms	Appendix X1
General	X1.1
Precision: Example Calculations	Appendix X2
General	X2.1
TABLES and FIGURES

1.18This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Committee	D 18
DevelopmentNote	Supersedes ASTM D 6913. (05/2017)
DocumentType	Redline
Pages	34
PublisherName	American Society for Testing and Materials
Status	Current
Supersedes	ASTM D 6913 : 2004 ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : R2009 : EDT 1 ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : R2009 ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : EDT 1 ASTM D 6913 : 2004 : EDT 2

ASTM E 177 : 2014 : REDLINE	Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
ASTM D 1140 : 2017 : REDLINE	Standard Test Methods for Determining the Amount of Material Finer than 75-μm (No. 200) Sieve in Soils by Washing
ASTM D 3740 : 2012-06	PRACTICE FOR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR AGENCIES ENGAGED IN TESTING AND/OR INSPECTION OF SOIL AND ROCK AS USED IN ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
ASTM D 7928 : 2017 : REDLINE	Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Fine-Grained Soils Using the Sedimentation (Hydrometer) Analysis
ASTM C 702 : 1998	Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
ASTM D 698 : 2013-05	TEST METHODS FOR LABORATORY COMPACTION CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL USING STANDARD EFFORT (12400 FT-LBF/FT[3] (600 KN-M/M[3]))
ASTM C 136 : 2006	Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
ASTM E 11 : 2017 : REDLINE	Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
ASTM D 4753 : 2015 : REDLINE	Standard Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction Materials Testing
ASTM D 4220/D4220M : 2014 : REDLINE	Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
ASTM D 5519 : 2015 : REDLINE	Standard Test Methods for Particle Size Analysis of Natural and Man-Made Riprap Materials
ASTM D 6026 : 2013 : REDLINE	Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
ASTM D 653 : 2014 : REDLINE	Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids