Sieve Analysis of Soil
IS 2720 (Part 4)
Sieve analysis separates a soil sample through a nested stack of sieves of decreasing aperture size to determine what proportion of the sample falls within each particle-size range. For soils with a significant fines content, the coarser fraction is sieved and the fine fraction assessed separately (or combined with a hydrometer analysis).
The resulting grading curve is used for soil classification (IS 1498), for judging suitability as a filter or drainage material, and as an input to permeability and compaction assessments.