Particle Size Analysis of Soil

Particle Size Analysis of Soil
(Sieve Analysis — IS 2386 / IS 2720 Part 4)

Mechanical sieve analysis of coarse-grained soils and granular fill materials per IS 2720 Part 4 — determining gravel, sand and fines content for soil classification, compaction and pavement sub-base design.

Overview

What is the Particle Size Analysis of Soil?

Particle Size Analysis by Sieve determines the size distribution of coarse-grained soil fractions (gravel and sand) by passing oven-dried soil through a nest of IS sieves in a mechanical shaker. The mass retained on each sieve is weighed and percentage finer (passing) is calculated and plotted as a cumulative particle size distribution curve.

Conducted as per IS 2720 Part 4 for coarse fractions and IS 2386 Part 1 for aggregate grading, sieve analysis is used for granular soil classification (GW, GP, SW, SP per IS 1498), sub-base and base course grading compliance (WBM, WMM, GSB per MORTH), filter design and construction fill specification. For fine fractions (<75μm), hydrometer analysis is added for complete combined PSD.

IS Sieve Series — 80mm to 75μm

Complete sieve set from 80mm down to 75μm per IS 460 sieve series.

Mechanical Sieve Shaker

Automated sieve shaker — 10-minute standard shaking time for consistent results.

D10, D30, D60 and Cu, Cc

Effective size and uniformity coefficient calculated for soil classification.

MORTH Grading Compliance

Results plotted against MORTH grading envelopes for WBM, WMM, GSB acceptance.

NABL Certified Reports

All test and calibration results are backed by traceable measurements and standardized procedures.

Upgrade to Full PSD

Hydrometer analysis added for soils with >12% fines for complete combined PSD curve.

Test in Action

Particle Size Analysis of Soil — Site Images

IS Sieve Series in Mechanical Shaker — 10-Minute Sieving

Mass Retained on Each Sieve Weighed to 0.1g

PSD Curve Plotted on Semi-Log Graph — D10, D30, D60

Test Procedure

How the Particle Size Analysis of Soil is Conducted

1

Sample Preparation

Soil oven-dried at 105°C. Mass weighed. Sample washed through 75μm sieve to remove fines if required.
2

Sieve Assembly

IS sieve series assembled in descending order — coarsest at top, pan at bottom.
3

Mechanical Sieving

Dried sample placed on top sieve. Sieve shaker run for 10 minutes.
4

Weighing

Mass retained on each sieve weighed to 0.1g. Pan mass (fines) recorded.
5

PSD Curve & Report

% finer calculated for each sieve. PSD curve plotted on semi-log graph. D10, D30, D60 read. Cu and Cc calculated. NABL report within 3 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
IS 2720 Part 4	Methods of Test for Soils — Grain Size Analysis	Soil PSD	Indian Standard
IS 2386 Part 1	Methods of Test for Aggregates — Particle Size and Shape	Aggregate PSD	Indian Standard
IS 1498	Classification and Identification of Soils for General Engineering Purposes	Soil Classification	Indian Standard
MORTH	Specifications for Road and Bridge Works — Aggregate Grading Tables	Road Aggregate	MORTH

Applications

Where is the Particle Size Analysis of Soil Used?

Granular soil classification for site investigation reports

MORTH aggregate grading compliance for GSB, WMM, WBM and CRM

Filter design particle size for drainage and retaining wall systems

Backfill material classification for retaining walls and buried pipes

Granular sub-base aggregate source approval testing

Particle size distribution for permeability estimation using Hazen's formula

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsLegally valid IS 2720 Part 4 / IS 2386 sieve analysis certificates.

MORTH Grading PlotsPSD curves overlaid on MORTH grading envelopes for direct pass/fail assessment.

Upgrade to Full PSDHydrometer analysis seamlessly added for soils with significant fines content.

Fast 3-Day ReportSieve analysis and NABL report within 3 working days.

Pan-India CoverageGeotechnical lab at all 7 NABL-accredited locations.

Combined Aggregate PackageSieve analysis + Atterberg + Specific gravity + Compaction as complete package.

Particle Size Analysis of Soil(Sieve Analysis — IS 2386 / IS 2720 Part 4)