Applies to QEST Web App

This article provides an overview of the Results section in QEST Web App sieve analysis worksheets.

Results

The standard Results section for a sieve analysis worksheet has two sub-sections:

PSD Charts
- Curve Fitting
- Specifications/Limits
- Classification Table
Calculated results
- Sieving results
- Additional Results
- Optional Results

PSD Chart

Curve Fitting

There is a choice of how the PSD curve is drawn on the chart,

Selection	Action/Description

Selection	Action/Description


Users need to be aware that the values of particle properties interpolated from the PSD curve, for example D10, D30, D60, will vary slightly depending on the curve fitting algorithm selected. When these values are used in calculations, the differences may become more noticeable.

Specifications/Limits

If a calculated percentage for an individual sieve is outside the limits, that value, and the limits, will be highlighted in red.
The limits on the chart will also be highlighted in red.
Limits can be shown as points or as lines.

Selection	Result

Selection

Result

(Default)

Specification limit points are not joined.

Specification limit points are joined by straight lines.

Classification Table

This functionality is generally found in sieve analysis tests for soils, but not usually on tests for aggregates.

Where it is applicable, the PSD Chart is accompanied by a descriptive breakdown of the test material into its components: Gravel, Sand, Silt and Clay, based on particle size. There is more than one system for doing this and differences with particle size boundaries and/or descriptions can occur, depending on the test method.

Each worksheet implements the system applicable to the jurisdiction of its test method and reference to the article directly relating to the test method of interest is required for details.

As for the particle properties discussed above, where the choice of curve fitting method is available, it will affect the reported classification quantities and the user can be expected to notice small differences between the two methods.

Calculated Results

The actual results calculated depend on the test method. In some cases there are no choices, in others the possibility of reporting different results are possible.

Additionally, calculated results can be required to always be reported (mandatory), or can be optional to report.

Sieving Results

Sieving results are usually presented as sieve size/particle size with an associated cumulative percent passing (by mass). As these results are the whole point of doing a sieve analysis test, they are always required to be reported.

In test methods where there may be a choice in how the sieving results are reported, the worksheet will contain a radio button group to allow the user to set the calculation method, usually in the Test Preparation section.

Additional Results

The requirement to report any other results will be set by the individual test method and the details can be found in the article for the required test method.

Optional Results

For sieve analysis tests, optional results are usually those that describe the PSD curve in some way, for example:

Percentile Values (typically some combination of D10, D15, D30, D50, D60, D85):
Coefficient of Uniformity (Cu);
Coefficient of Curvature (Cc);
Fineness Modulus (Fm).

Again, requirements for these can vary between test methods and not all of these will be present on any given worksheet. Individual worksheet details can be found in the article for the required test method.

The above values are not always required by sieve analysis test methods themselves, but may be required for other reasons, for example, soil classification, or, compliance with a specification.

QEST Platform 5.8 Documentation

Sieve Analysis Results, PSD Chart, Calculated Results

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