CEN ISO/TS 17892-4:2004

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2004
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Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of soil - Part 4: Determination
of particle size distribution (ISO/TS 17892-4:2004)
Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung - Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil 4:
Bestimmung der Korngrößenverteilung (ISO/TS 17892-4:2004)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de laboratoire sur les sols - Partie 4:
Détermination de la distribution granulométrique des particules (ISO/TS 17892-4:2004)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN ISO/TS 17892-4:2004
ICS:
13.080.20 Fizikalne lastnosti tal Physical properties of soils
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN ISO/TS 17892-4
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
October 2004
ICS 13.080.20; 93.020
English version
Geotechnical investigation and testing - Laboratory testing of
soil - Part 4: Determination of particle size distribution (ISO/TS
17892-4:2004)
Reconnaissance et essais géotechniques - Essais de sol Geotechnische Erkundung und Untersuchung -
au laboratoire - Partie 4: Détermination de la granulométrie Laborversuche an Bodenproben - Teil 4: Bestimmung der
(ISO/TS 17892-4:2004) Korngrößenverteilung (ISO/TS 17892-4:2004)
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 2 December 2003 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2004 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN ISO/TS 17892-4:2004: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Foreword.3
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Equipment .6
4.1 General.6
4.2 Sieving .7
4.3 Hydrometer method.7
5 Test procedure.10
5.1 Selection of test method .10
5.2 Sieving .10
5.3 Hydrometer analysis .15
6 Test results.21
6.1 Sieving .21
6.2 Hydrometer.21
6.3 Pipette method.23
7 Test report .24
Annex A (informative) Calibration of hydrometer .26
A.1 Volume calibration.26
A.2 Scale calibration .26
A.3 Meniscus correction.27
Annex B (informative) Calibration of hydrometer .29
B.1 Pretreatment for organic material.29
B.2 Pretreatment for carbonate material.29
B.3 Final pretreatment stage .29
Bibliography .30

Tables
Table 1 — Minimum mass required for sieving as a function of particle diameter D .12
Table 2 — Maximum mass of soil retained on each sieve.14
Table 3 — Dry mass of soil specimen for sedimentation test.17
Table 4 — Insertion depth of pipette.20
Table 5 — Dynamic viscosity of water.23
Table A.1 — Temperature correction.28

Figures
Figure 1 — Example of pipette configuration .9
Figure 2 — Sieving procedure.11
Figure 3 — General procedure for sedimentation .16
Figure 4 — Example of a particle size distribution result.25
Figure A.1 — Example of calibration of hydrometer scale .27
Foreword
This document (CEN ISO/TS 17892-4:2004) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 341
“Geotechnical investigation and testing”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN, in collaboration with Technical
Committee ISO/TC 182 “Geotechnics”.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
CEN ISO/TS 17892 consists of the following parts, under the general title Geotechnical investigation and testing —
Laboratory testing of soil:
 Part 1: Determination of water content
 Part 2: Determination of density of fine grained soil
 Part 3: Determination of particle density - Pycnometer method
 Part 4: Determination of particle size distribution
 Part 5: Incremental loading oedometer test
 Part 6: Fall cone test
 Part 7: Unconfined compression test on fine grain soils
 Part 8: Unconsolidated undrained triaxial test
 Part 9: Consolidated triaxial compression tests on water saturated soils
 Part 10: Direct shear tests
 Part 11: Determination of permeability by constant and falling head
 Part 12: Determination of the Atterberg limits
Introduction
This document covers areas in the international field of geotechnical engineering never previously standardised. It
is intended that this document presents broad good practice throughout the world and significant differences with
national documents is not anticipated. It is based on international practice (see [1]).
1 Scope
This document describes methods for the determination of the particle size distribution of soil samples.
The particle size distribution is one of the most important physical characteristics of soil. Classification of soils is
mainly based on the particle size distribution. Many geotechnical and geohydrological properties of soil are related
to the particle size distribution.
The particle size distribution provides a description of soil, based on a subdivision in discrete classes of particle
sizes. The size of each class can be determined by sieving and/or sedimentation. For soils with less than 10 %
fines, the sieving method is applicable. Soils with more than 10 % fines can be analysed by a combination of
sieving and sedimentation.
Sieving is the process whereby the soil is separated in particle size classes by the use of test sieves.
Sedimentation is the process of the setting of soil particles in a liquid. The difference in settling rate enables the
particle size classes to be separated. Two sedimentation methods are described; the hydrometer method and the
pipette method.
The methods described are applicable to all non-cemented soils with particle sizes less than 125 mm.
Depending on the purpose for the determination of the particle size distribution, pretreatment or correction for
calcium carbonate, dissolved salts and/or organic matter can be required. The use of these methods should be
stated in the laboratory report.
Modern methods that incorporate detection systems using x-rays, laser beams, density measurements and particle
counters are not covered by this document.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references,
only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
CEN ISO/TS 17892-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 1: Determination
of water content (ISO/TS 17892-1:2004).
CEN ISO/TS 17892-3, Geotechnical investigation and testing — Laboratory testing of soil — Part 3: Determination
of particle density — Pycnometer method (ISO/TS 17892-3:2004).
ISO 565, Test sieves - Metal wire cloth, perforated metal plate and electroformed sheet - Nominal sizes of
openings.
ISO 3310-1, Test sieves - Technical requirements and testing - Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth.
ISO 3310-2, Test sieves - Technical requirements and testing - Part 2: Test sieves of perforated metal plate.

3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
particle size distribution
proportions by mass of the various particle size classes present in a specific soil
3.2
equivalent diameter
particle diameter calculated from sedimentation data using Stoke's law, and assuming spherical particles
3.3
coarse-grained cohesionless soils
soils comprising gravel and/or sand sizes particles with less than about 10 % of fines, and which are virtually non-
cohesive
NOTE  The fines content is measured only quantitatively, by difference after washing the material away.
3.4
fine-grained soils
soils comprising more than about 10 % of fines, sometimes with sand but with little or no gravel-sized particles.
This category includes both non-cohesive and cohesive soils
3.5
mixed soils
soils comprising gravel, sand, and more than about 10 % of fines
...