Soil sieve analysis  is a method for quantifying the sizes and types of particles present in a given soil sample and their relative frequency of occurrence. The analysis is suitable for diverse materials, such as gravel or rock mixtures, sand and other types of granules and powders

The results of the soil sieve analysis show the composition and provide information on how a certain soil or other mixture will behave, e.g. in civil engineering and construction. The method is interesting for geologists and engineers, among others.

The San Andreas sieve tower is designed as a versatile and portable sieve system and can be used in the laboratory as well as on site. The unit is powered by 12 V DC and is equipped with adapters for car and standard sockets.

Simple application

A soil sample is first dried, all soil lumps are crushed into smaller pieces and weighed. The sample is then placed in the upper sieve and the entire tower of test sieves (the largest at the top, the smallest at the bottom) is shaken.

Each sieve below has smaller sized openings. The sieve allows particles smaller than the opening to fall through and retains the larger particles on the sieve. The bottom is then classified according to particle size. Particles that fall through a particular sieve are referred to as that sieve size. Particles that do not pass a particular sieve are referred to as being retained on that sieve. Then the material retained on each sieve is weighed. The results of the sieve analysis are generally expressed as a percentage of the total weight of soil that has passed the different sieves.

Application video