ASTM_D_6913-04.pdf

Designation:D 6913-04NTERNATIONALStandard Test Methods forParticle-Size Distribution(Gradation)of Soils Using SieveAnalysisThis standard is issued under the fixed designation D6913;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision.the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONAlthough this test method has been used for many years,there are vast testing variations requireddue to soil types and conditions.The test is more complicated and complex than would be expected.Multiple procedures are being presented along with new terminology.Although these procedures arenot new,they will now be defined and explained.Some examples of these new terms are compositesieving.designated separating sieve and subspecimen.This test method outlines the majority ofconditions and procedures but does not cover every conceivable variation or contingency.The tableof contents in the Scope section is added to enable the user to easily find a specific topic orrequirement.Only sections/subsections with titles are presented.Therefore,numbered subsections willnot be continuous in some cases,as indicated in the Scope section.1.Scopeparticle size is equal to or greater than 19.0 mm(4-in sieve).1.1 Soils consist of particles with various shapes and posite sieving is applicable.For special conditions seeThis test method is used to separate particles into size ranges10.3.and to determine quantitatively the mass of particles in each1.6 Two test methods are provided in this standard.Therange.These data are combined to determine the particle-sizemethods differ in the significant digits recorded and the size ofdistribution(gradation).This test method uses a square open-the specimen(mass)required.The method to be used may being sieve criterion in determining the gradation of soil betweenspecified by the requesting authority;otherwise Method A shallthe 3-in.(75-mm)and No.200(75-um)sieves.be performed.1.2 The terms,soils and material,are used interchangeably1.6.1 Method A-The percentage(by mass)passing eachthroughout the standard.sieve size is recorded to the nearest 1%This method must be1.3 In cases where the gradation of particles larger than 3 in.used when performing composite sieving.For cases of dis-(75 mm)sieve is required,Test Method D 5519 may be used.putes,Method A is the referee method.1.4 In cases where the gradation of particles smaller than1.6.2 Method B-The percentage(by mass)passing eachNo.200(75-um)sieve is required,Test Method D 4222 may besieve size is recorded to the nearest 0.1%This method is onlyused.applicable for single sieve-set sieving and when the maximum1.5 Typically,if the maximum particle size is equal to orparticle size is equal to or less than the No.4(4.75-mm)sieve.less than the 4.75 mm(No.4 sieve),then single-set sieving is1.7 This test method does not cover,in any detail,procure-applicable.Furthermore,if the maximum particle size isment of the sample.It is assumed that the sample is obtainedgreater than the 4.75 mm(No.4 sieve)and equal to or less thanusing appropriate methods and is representative.the 9.5-mm(3-in sieve),then either single-set sieving or1.8 Sample Processing-Three procedures(moist,air dry,composite sieving is applicable.Finally,if the maximumand oven dry)are provided to process the sample to obtain aspecimen.The procedure selected will depend on the type ofsample,the maximum particle-size in the sample,the range ofThis test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andparticle sizes,the initial conditions of the material,the plastic-Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture,Plasticity.ity of the material,the efficiency,and the need for other testingand Density Characteristics of Soils.on the sample.The procedure may be specified by theCurrent edition approved Aug.1,2004.Published September 2004.2Currently Subcommittee D18.03 is preparing a new test method(Hydrometerrequesting authority;otherwise the guidance given in SectionAnalysis or Combined Sieve and Hydrometer Analysis)to replace D422.10 shall be followed.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive.PO Box C700.West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States.Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved):Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Neil Trigwell(Bodycote Materials Testing Ltd);Thu Oct 21 10:53:16 EDT 2004D6913-041.9 This test method typically requires two or three days to1.17 This standard does not purport to address all of thecomplete,depending on the type and size of the sample andsafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is thesoil type.responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-1.10 This test method is not applicable for the followingpriate safery and health practices and determine the applica-soils:bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.10.1 Soils containing fibrous peat that will change in1.18 Table of Contents:particle size during the drying,washing,or sieving procedure.Section1.10.2 Soils containing extraneous matter,such as organicScope1Method A1.6.1solvents,oil,asphalt,wood fragments,or similar items.SuchMethod B1.6.2extraneous matter can affect the washing and sieving proce-Sample Processing1.8dures.Units1.15Reference Documents21.10.3 Materials that contain cementitious componentsASTM Standards2.1such as cement,fly ash,lime,or other stabilization admixtures.Terminology3General1.11 This test method may not produce consistent test3.1Definitions3.2results within and between laboratories for the following soilsDefinitions of Terms Specific to This Standard3.3and the precision statement does not apply to them.Summary of Test MethodSignificance and Use1.11.1 Friable soils in which the sieving processes changeApparatusthe gradation of the soil.Typical examples of these soils areSieves6.1some residual soils,most weathered shales and some weaklyStandard Sieve Set6.1.1Washing Sieve(No.200(75-um)6.1.2cemented soils such as hardpan,caliche or coquinaDesignated Separating Sieve6.1.31.11.2 Soils that will not readily disperse such as glauconiticWashing Sink with Spray Nozzleclays or some dried plastic clays.Mechanical Sieve ShakerBalances81.11.3 To test these soils,this test method must be adapted,Drying Ovenor altered,and these alterations documented.Depending on theSieving Containers6.6Specimen Containers6.6.1design considerations,a specialized gradation-testing programCollection/Transfer Device6.6.2could be performed.The alterations could require the washingCumulative Mass Container6.6.3and sieving procedures to be standardized such that eachSieve Brushes6.7Miscellaneous Items6.8specimen would be processed in a similar manner.Splitter or Riffle Box(optional)6.91.12 Some materials that are not soils,but are made up ofQuartering Accessories(optional)6.10particles may be tested using this method.However,theMortar and Rubber-Covered Pestle(optional)6.11Low Temperature Drying Oven(optional)6.12applicable sections above should be used in applying thisUltrasonic Water Bath(optional)6.13standard.Dispersion Shaker(optional)6.141.13 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theReagentsDispersant7.1guidelines for significant digits and rounding established inDry Addition7.1.1.1Practice D 6026,unless superceded by this test method.Solution7.1.1.21.14 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/Preparation of Apparatus8Verification of Sieves8.1recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as theVerification Interval8.1.1industry standard.In addition,they are representative of theVerification of Mechanical Sieve Shaker and8.2Standard Shaking Periodsignificant digits that generally should be retained.The proce-Large Mechanical Sieve Shaker8.2.1dures used do not consider material variation,purpose forVenfication Interval8.2.2obtaining the data,special purpose studies,or any consider-Hand Sieve Shaking Procedure8.2.3ations for the users objectives;and it is common practice toSampling9General9.1increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to beSample Sources9.2commensurate with these considerations.It is beyond the scopeBulk Samples9.2.1Jar and Small Bag Samples9.2.2of these test methods to consider significant digits used inUndisturbed Tube Samples9.2.3analysis methods for engineering design.Samples from Prior Testing9.2.41.15 Units-The dimensional values stated in either SI unitsSpecimenGeneral10.1or inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard,such asMinimum Mass Requirements10.2200-mm or 8-in.diameter sieve.Except,the sieve designationsSelection of Sieving Procedure10.3are typically identified using the alternativesystem inSingle Sieve-Set Sieving10.3.1Composite Sieving10.3.2accordance with Practice E11,such as 3 in.and No.200,Specimen Procurement10.4instead of the standardsystem of 75 mm and 75 um,Moist Procedure10.4.1respectively.Only the SI units are used for mass determina-Air-Dried Procedure10.4.2Oven-Dried Procedure10.4.3tions,calculations and reported results.However,the use ofDiscussion on Segregating Soils10.4.4balances or scales recording pounds of mass(1bm)shall not beSpecimen Procurement and Processing10.5regarded as nonconformance with this standard.RequirementsMoist Procedure.Single Sieve-Set Sieving10.5.11.16 A summary of the symbols used in this test method isMoist Procedure,Composite Sieving10.5.2given in Annex Al.Air-Dried Procedure,General10.5.32Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved);Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Neil Trigwell(Bodycote Materials Testing Ltd);Thu Oct 21 10:53:16 EDT 2004D6913-04D 1140 Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer3.2.3 cumulative material retained(cumulative retainedThan the No.200(75-um)Sievematerial or cumulative mass retained),n-in sieving,the massD 1557 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Charac-of material retained on an individual sieve plus the masses ofteristics of Soil Using Modified Effort(56,000 ft/lbf/material retained on all the coarser sieves in a given stack/setft3(2,700 kN-m/m3)of sieves.D 2216 Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water3.2.4 cumulative percent retained,n-in sieving,the ratio of(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by Masscumulative material retained on a given sieve to the mass of theD 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineeringspecimen,expressed in percent.Purposes(Unified Soil Classification System)3.2.5 designated separating sieve,n-in composite sieving,D 2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soilsthe sieve selected to separate the specimen into coarser and(Visual-Manual Procedure)finer portions for composite sieving.D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies3.2.5.1 Discussion-The designated separating sieve size isEngaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rocka standard sieve size typically ranging from the 34 in.(19.0as Used in Engineering Design and Constructionmm)sieve to the No.10(2.00 mm)sieve.There can be twoD 4318 Test Method for Liquid Limit,Plastic Limit,anddesignated separating sieves used in composite sieving,that isPlasticity Index of Soilsthe 1st subspecimen can be separated on a 2nd designatedD 4753 Specification for Evaluating,Selecting,and Speci-separating sieve to obtain a 2nd coarser portion and a 2ndfying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil,Rock,andsubspecimen obtained from the 2nd finer portion.Related Construction Materials Testing3.2.6 fractional cumulative material retained,n-in com-D 5519 Test Method for Particle Size Analysis of Naturalposite sieving,when sieving a subspecimen,the mass ofand Man-Made Riprap Materialsmaterial retained on an individual sieve plus the masses ofD 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-material retained on all the coarser sieves in a given sieve set.cal Data3.2.7 fractional cumulative percent retained,n-in compos-E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-ite sieving,the ratio of fractional cumulative material retainedposeson a given sieve to the mass of the subspecimen,expressed inE 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inpercent.ASTM Test Methods3.2.8 fractional material retained,n-in composite sieving,E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study towhen sieving a subspecimen,the mass of material retained onDetermine the Precision of a Test Methodan individual sieve.3.2.9 fractional percent passing,n-in composite sieving,3.Terminologythe portion of material by mass in the subspecimen(s)passing3.1 General:a given sieve expressed in percent.3.1.1 An overview of terms used in the sieving processes is3.2.9.1 Discussion-When two subspecimens are used,presented in Fig.1(a)using a tabular format and in Fig.1(b)there will be a 1st and 2nd fractional percent passing.using a flowchart format.In addition,Fig.1(a)includes3.2.10 fractional percent retained,n-in composite sieving,symbols used in the sieving processes.These figures are at thethe ratio of fractional material retained on a given sieve to theend of this section.mass of the subspecimen,expressed in percent.3.1.2 There are two types of definitions in the following3.2.11 gradation,n-in soil,the proportion by mass ofsections.There are definitions that are general(see 3.2)andvarious particle sizes.others that are specific to this standard(see 3.3).To locate a3.2.11.1 Discussion-This proportion is usually presenteddefinition,it may be necessary to review both sections.Thein tabular format(sieve size and percent passing)or graphicaldefinitions are in alphabetical order.format(percent passing versus logarithm of the sieve size in3.2 Definitions:mm).The graphical format is referred to as particle-size3.2.1 For definitions of general terms used in this testdistribution or gradation curve.method,refer to Terminology D 653.3.2.12 maximum particle size,n-in sieving,the smallest3.2.2 composite sieving,v-in sieving,the process of sepa-sieve size from the standard sieve set on which less than onerating a large specimen on a designated separating sieve topercent of the sample would be retained.obtain coarser and finer particle-size portions.The coarser3.2.12.1 Discussion-For practical purposes,estimate theportion is sieved using the coarser sieve set.The finer portionmaximum particle size as equal to the smallest sieve size fromis subsampled to obtain a subspecimen of manageable sizethe standard sieve set in which it appears that all the material(mass)and this subspecimen is sieved using the finer sieve set.being tested would pass through that sieve.The maximumThe results of both sieve sets(coarser and finer)are combinedparticle size is needed to determine the required mass of themathematically to determine the gradation of the large speci-specimen and subspecimen.men.3.2.13 maximum sieve size,n-in sieving,the smallest sieve3.2.2.1 Discussion-In some cases the subspecimen maysize that is larger than any particle in the specimen orrequire another separation;i.e.,using a 2nd designated sepa-subspecimen.rating sieve and resulting in a 2nd coarser portion and 2nd3.2.14 minimum sieve size,n-in sieving,the smallest sievesubspecimen obtained from the 2nd finer portion.size in a sieve set used in sieving the specimen or subspecimen.Copyright by ASTM Intl(all rights reserved);Reproduction authorized per License Agreement with Neil Trigwell(Bodycote Materials Testing Ltd);Thu Oct 21 10:53:16 EDT 2004