GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (PIPETTE METHOD) AZA0856

Description

Working Principle

The AZA0856 operates on the principle of sedimentation of soil particles in a liquid medium (typically distilled water mixed with a dispersing agent such as sodium hexametaphosphate to prevent flocculation). Once a uniform suspension is prepared, soil particles settle under gravity.

According to Stokes’ Law, larger particles settle faster than finer ones. At predetermined time intervals, a fixed volume of suspension is extracted from a known depth using the pipette. The extracted samples are dried and weighed, enabling calculation of the percentage of particles finer than specific sizes.

This method is suitable for particle sizes ranging from 0.002 mm to 0.075 mm and is essential for accurate classification of cohesive soils.

Applications

• Geotechnical investigation and soil profiling
• Classification of fine-grained soils (clays and silts)
• Foundation and subgrade assessment
• Construction quality control and earthworks
• Academic teaching and soil mechanics research

Standards Compliance

• IS 2720 (Part IV) – Grain Size Analysis of Soils
• ASTM D422 – Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
• BS 1377 – Methods of Test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes

Technical Specifications

What’s Included

• 1 × Grain Size Analysis Apparatus with sliding stand (AZA0856)
• 1 × Anderson Pipette, 10 ml (glass)
• 1 × Sedimentation Tube, 500 ml (glass)
• 1 × Test Forms Pad (50 sheets)

Optional Accessories & Spares (At Extra Cost)

1. Anderson Pipette – 25 ml
2. Sedimentation Tube – 100 ml
3. Anderson Pipette – 10 ml (spare)
4. Sedimentation Tube – 500 ml (spare)
5. Test Forms Pad – 50 sheets

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the purpose of the pipette method in grain size analysis?
It is used to determine the proportion of fine soil particles smaller than 75 microns that cannot be analyzed using sieves.

Q2: Which standards does AZA0856 comply with?
The apparatus conforms to IS 2720 (Part IV), ASTM D422, and BS 1377.

Q3: Is this method suitable for all soil types?
It is most effective for fine-grained soils such as clays and silts. Coarser soils should be analyzed using sieve methods.

Q4: Is the dispersing agent included?
No. Dispersing agents such as sodium hexametaphosphate must be procured separately.

Q5: How accurate is the pipette method?
When performed correctly, it provides highly accurate and repeatable measurements of fine soil particle distribution.