Particle size distribution curve

The result of mechanical analysis are plotted to get a particle size

distribution curve with the percentage fine (N) as the ordinate and the
particle dia meter as the abscissa.

The diameter being plotted on logarithmic scale because being useful when
data covers a large range of values .

A particle size distribution curve gives us an idea about the type and
gradation of soil.
Well graded soil a soil is said to be well graded when it has good
representation of particles of all sizes.

Poorly graded soil a soil is said to be poorly graded when it has an excess
of certain particles and deficiency of others (called gap graded soil ), or it
has most of particles of about the same size ( called uniformly graded soil).

Well graded soil Cu>4 to 6, Cc=1 & 3(Cu>4 for well graded gravel and Cu>6
for well graded sand).
For poorly grade Cu=1 and Cc<4.

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3
4
SOIL PHASE RELATIONSHIP

Soil mass is generally a three phase system. It consists of solid particles, liquid and
gas.
For all (although in some cases, the water may contain some dissolved salts) and the
gas as air.
The phase system may be expressed in SI units either in terms of mass-volume or
weight-volume relationships.
The inter relationships of the different phases are important since they help to define
the condition or the physical make-up of the soil.
Practical purposes, the liquid may be considered to be water .

5
Soil: Phase Material

Air
Water

Solid

6
The Mineral Skeleton

Solid Particles

Volume

Voids (air or water)

7
 Three Phase Diagram

Air

Water

Solid

Mineral Skeleton Idealization:

Three Phase Diagram
8
 Dry Soils

Air

Solid

Mineral Skeleton Dry Soil

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 Partially Saturated Soils

Air

Water

Solid

Mineral Skeleton Partly Saturated Soils

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 Three Phase System

Va Air Wa~0
Vv

Vw Water Ww
VT WT

Vs Solid Ws

Volume Weight

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 WIEGHT-VOLUME RELATIONSHIPS.
The phase-relationships in terms of mass-volume and
weight-volume for a soil mass are shown by a block
diagram in Fig. 3.1. A block of unit sectional area is
considered.
The volumes of the different constituents are shown on the
right side and the corresponding mass/weights on the right
and left sides of the block. The mass/weight of air may be
assumed as zero

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1. Volumetric Ratios

There are three volumetric ratios that are very useful in geotechnical
engineering and these can be determined directly from the phase
diagram, Fig. 3.1.

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 I. Void ratio e, is defined as the ratio of volume of voids Vv to the volume of
soil solids Vs

Where, Vv = volume of voids, and Vs = volume of the solids.

The void ratio e is always expressed as a decimal.
II. Porosity n is defined as the ratio of volume of voids Vv to the total volume
of soil V

Where, V - total volume of the soil sample.

The porosity n is always expressed as a percentage.

III. Degree of saturation S is defined as the ratio of volume of water Vw to the

total volume of voids Vv

Where, Vw = volume of water and Vv=volume of voids

It is always expressed as a percentage. When S = 0%, the soil is completely
dry, and when
S = 100%, the soil is fully saturated.
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