soil mechanics

Sieve Test/Gradation Analysis: A sieve test was conducted on two different soils separately and
yielded the following masses retained on each sieve after shaking:
Sieve Number Soil A
Mass Retained [g]
Soil B
Mass Retained [g]
4 0 0
10 20.2 48.2
20 25.7 19.6
40 40.4 60.3
100 18.1 37.2
200 27.2 22.1
Pan 68.2 5.6
(a) Plot the gradation curves as shown in Module 1. Put both gradation curves on the same plot
to make comparison easier.
(b) Indicate on the plot the range of sizes that are gravel, sand, and fines, according to USCS
grain size classification.
(c) What is the mass of coarse-grained and fine-grained soil in each sample?
(d) What is the percent of fine-grained soil in each sample?
(e) Determine the uniformity coefficient and gradation coefficient for Soil sample B.
(f) Determine if Soil sample B is likely well-graded, poorly graded, or gap graded. Explain why
you chose your answer.
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