Sieve Analysis Specimen Preparation, Received Sample Condition, Nominal Particle Size, Timing of Drying, Timing of Washing

Applies to QEST Web App

Contents

Specimen Preparation

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This section provides fields to record descriptions of the physical properties of the material being tested. The contents of this section are highly dependent on the test method’s requirements. This leads to a high variability between worksheets and reference to the article directly relating to the test method of interest is usually required for details.

Although not found on all sieve analysis worksheets, the following features are common in the QEST Web App for this type of worksheet:

• Received Sample Condition

• Condition of Sample as Tested

• Test Portion Preparation

• Nominal Particle Size

• Timing of Drying

• Timing of Washing

• Washing Checkbox

Received Sample Condition

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A range of different descriptions are used by the various test methods for describing the moisture condition of samples as they are received at the testing laboratory. Factors that affect this condition include material type, sampling method, and storage and transportation practices.

Terminology used in a test method may include the following:

• Natural

• In-situ

• As sampled

• Moist

• Dry

• Air dry / Air dried

• Oven dry / Oven dried

In addition to recording the condition of the sample as received, this option will typically control the presence or absence of a drying subsection in the Sieve Portion Preparation section.

Other actions may occur, depending on the test method being used. See Condition of Sample as Tested, below, for an example.

Condition of Sample as Tested

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While obviously related to the received sample condition, this description also takes into account any changes in a sample’s moisture condition that may occur between the time of receipt of the sample and the time testing is about to start.

Typically, a set of radio buttons is used on the worksheet to denote the moisture condition of the material prior to the preparation of a test portion for the sieve analysis test.

Common options are:

• Moist/Wet/Not Dried

• Air Dry/Dried

• Oven Dry/Dried

The choice made here will usually affect the available choice for the test portion preparation method and/or the timing and type of method used to determine the dry mass of the test portion.

Selection	Action

Selection	Action
Open	The Test Portion Preparation method radio buttons, described below, has all options available.
Open	The Test Portion Preparation method radio buttons, described below, has the Moist option disabled.
Open	The Test Portion Preparation method radio buttons, described below, has only the Oven dry option available, as a valid choice.

Test Portion Preparation

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The method used to prepare a test portion will often differ depending on the moisture condition of the test portion at the time of testing.

Usually, the choice of test method is provided as a set of radio buttons on the worksheet.

Essentially, the choices are based on whether the material is dry or not. Common options include:

• Moist/Wet/Not Dried

• Air Dry/Dried

• Oven Dry/Dried

It is not unusual for the selections available here to be restricted by the recorded moisture condition of the test portion at the time of testing (see above).

The choice made here will configure the sections following the appearance of this function and will normally affect the timing and type of method used to determine the dry mass of the test portion. Other changes to the worksheet are possible.

Nominal Particle Size

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In the context of sieve analysis tests, Nominal Particle Size is more accurately described as nominal maximum particle size, and is used to determine the minimum sample size required for testing.

Where this option is available, a list of suitable sieve sizes is provided for the user to choose from. The contents of this list can vary between the different test methods.

Timing of Drying

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The purpose of this option is to indicate at what stage of the testing process the test portion is to be dried. The above is not necessarily a complete list of possible choices.

The selection made here will usually affect the structure and content of the Sieve Portion Preparation section of the worksheet.

The behavior of the example above is typical for this type of option, but not exclusive.

Selection	Action/Description

Selection	Action/Description
Open	Any drying subsection, in the Sieve Portion Preparation section, is hidden. Any radio buttons, checkboxes or equipment items associated with the method of drying are hidden. The dry mass is determined by weighing the whole test portion.
Open	A drying subsection, in the Sieve Portion Preparation section, is visible. The whole test portion is oven-dried before weighing. The dry mass is determined by weighing the whole test portion.
Open	A drying subsection, in the Sieve Portion Preparation section, is visible. The sub-portion passing the first separation sieve is oven-dried. The dry mass is determined by weighing the dried sub-portion and adding the result to the mass of the sub-portion retained on the first separating sieve.
Open	As above, but using the second separation sieve instead of the first.

Timing of Washing

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Like drying, washing the test portion can occur at different, alternate times in the testing process. The number of choices available will usually depend on the number of separations made, although the maximum number of choices may be restricted by the test method used.

The behavior of the example above is typical for this type of option, but not exclusive.

Selection	Action/Description

Selection	Action/Description
Open	Washing section is hidden.
Open	Washing section is visible. Whole specimen is washed before sieving. First separation (if any) occurs after washing. Some sieving and separation section names are changed to reflect change in order.
Open	Washing section is visible. Coarse portion is not washed. Portion passing the first separation sieve is washed.
Open	Washing section is visible. Material retained on the separation sieve is not washed. Portion passing the second separation sieve is washed.

Washing Checkbox

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This checkbox is functionally part of the Timing of Washing process (see above). In some sieve analysis worksheets this may be the only method of selecting the timing of washing, while in others it may alternate with the set of radio buttons described above.

The option usually controls whether or not a Washing section is visible on the worksheet and is available for use.

• Ticking the checkbox will make the Washing section available.

• Various messages may be associated with the selection made.

• Other actions may occur, depending on the test method being used.

Because of the variability between worksheets, reference to the article directly relating to the test method of interest is recommended, to confirm details.

Related Articles

The following topics are described in separate articles.

• Sieve Analysis Test Preparation, Visual Description

• Sieve Analysis Test Method, Test Procedure

• Sieve Weighing Method, Weighing Pan Masses, Calculation Method

• Adding Sieves, Refreshing Sieves

• Managing Sieve Analysis Separations (Sample Splitting)

• Sieve Analysis: Portion Sieving, Sieve Set Selection, Sieving in Parts

• Sieve Analysis Separations

• Sieve Analysis Washing

• Sieve Analysis Results, PSD Chart, Calculated Results

• Sieve Analysis Reporting