Particle Size Testing

This page will discuss the process behind the particle size testing and the obtained results

Particle Size Testing Protocol:

Measured and weighed the material being tested. The three materials tested were sand, topsoil and organic matter (mulch).
The container used was first measured to zero out the weight.
Different sized sieves or filters were chosen - No.16, No.20, No.30, No.40, No.50, No.60, and No.70
Ran agitator for five minutes and recorded results.
After running the agitator, the sieves were weighed and the percentage of the sample in each sieve was measured.

For accurate soil size testing, sieve sizes were adjusted to ensure that a max of 15% of the original weight fell to the bottom of the agitator.

Particle Size Testing Data

The results above show the data for all three materials and the sieve sizes used. Trials for the topsoil were done at saturated conditions and unsaturated conditions (left to dry over night).

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