Applies to QEST Web App

Contents

Overview

This article is a subset of ASTM D6913 Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis and covers those parts that change as a result of adding separations to the testing process. In this case, the article describes the state of these parts when one separation is implemented.

Together, these articles provide information on how the various choices available within the QEST Web App version of this test method provide the required pathways to deal with the variations within the test.

Using Results from Other Tests

General functionality is described in the article Associated Test Results.

The following test method is embedded in this worksheet:

• ASTM D2216: Water Content of Soil and Rock

Initial Data Entry

Test Preparation

Open

This example is shown here to show how the separation is indicated. For other details on this section, refer to the main page .

Specimen Preparation

This section remains unchanged, for all separation choices, to that shown on the main page.

Separation

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described in the following article: Sieve Analysis Separations

This worksheet has no departures from the standard functionality, for this section.

Coarse Portion Preparation

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described in the following place: Sieve Portion Preparation.

Additional functionality and variations specific to this worksheet are described below:

• Material Broken Up Prior to Sieving

• Portion Washed Prior to Sieving

Material Broken Up Prior to Sieving

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Displays a dropdown list to allow the method used to be recorded. Open
Open Default	Dropdown list is hidden if visible.

Portion Washed Prior to Sieving

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Adds a Washing section to this section.
Open Default	None - hides Washing section if visible.

Coarse Portion Sieving

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described, in full, in the article on Portion Sieving Sections.

Information on individual functionality can be found in the following places:

This worksheet has no departures from the standard functionality, for this section.

Fine Portion Subspecimen Mass

Oven Dried Material

When the fine portion of the test portion is oven dried:

• A subspecimen is obtained by subsampling the fine portion and its mass is determined.

• The subspecimen is then used as the fine portion for further sieving, with the Subspecimen Dry Mass used as the Portion Dry Mass for the Fine Portion Preparation section.

Material Not Oven Dried

When the fine portion of the test portion is not oven dried:

• A subspecimen is obtained by subsampling the fine portion.

• The subspecimen is oven dried and its water content determined using an embedded version of the ASTM D2216 test.

• The dried subspecimen is then used as the fine portion for further sieving, with the Subspecimen Dry Mass from the water content test used as the Portion Dry Mass for the Fine Portion Preparation section.

• The Fine Portion Dry Mass is calculated from the Fine Portion Wet Mass using the water content.

• The Specimen Total Dry Mass is calculated by adding the Fine Portion Dry Mass and the coarse portion’s Portion Dry Mass.

Fine Portion Preparation

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described in the following place: Sieve Portion Preparation.

Overall functionality similar to Coarse Portion Preparation section, above.

Washing

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described in the following article: Sieve Analysis Washing

Additional functionality and variations specific to this worksheet are described below.

• Dispersant Used

Dispersant Used

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	Displays a dropdown list to allow the user to select the dispersion equipment/method used, if any. Open
Open Default	Hides dropdown list, if visible. Otherwise, does nothing.

Fine Portion Sieving

Section Functionality

Standard functionality is described in the following places:

This worksheet has no departures from the standard functionality, for this section.

From this point on, all separation variations of the worksheet are the same.