Grain Size Analysis (Sieve + Hydrometer) in Sault Ste Marie

In Sault Ste Marie, contractors quickly learn that soil can shift from rocky glacial till to deep lacustrine clay within a single block. Guessing the gradation leads to bad drainage design or pavement that fails within two freeze-thaw cycles. A complete grain size analysis using both sieve and hydrometer methods removes that guesswork. The test covers everything from gravel down to the clay fraction. Our team processes samples from Algoma District projects weekly. We report the full particle-size distribution curve so engineers can classify the soil exactly. That data feeds directly into concrete aggregate selection, filter design, and frost-susceptibility checks under NBCC requirements. In Sault Ste Marie, you need a lab that understands the local glacial history. We run ASTM D422 and D6913 procedures with consistent precision, whether the sample comes from a residential lot near the river or a highway cut north of town.

A full sieve-plus-hydrometer curve reveals whether your fill material will drain or retain water through Sault Ste Marie's freeze-thaw cycles.

How we work

Sault Ste Marie's climate punishes poorly graded materials. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles demand accurate fines content measurement. The hydrometer portion of the grain size analysis quantifies silt and clay percentages that a sieve stack alone cannot capture. That distinction matters for frost heave potential in road subgrades and shallow foundations. We combine mechanical sieving for the coarse fraction with ASTM D422 hydrometer sedimentation for particles passing the No. 200 sieve. The resulting curve reveals critical parameters like D10, D30, D60, and the coefficient of uniformity. These numbers are essential for filter compatibility studies and drainage layer specification. Our lab runs dispersing agent checks and temperature-corrected readings to ensure reliable hydrometer data. For Sault Ste Marie projects near the St. Marys River, we often see layered silts that require careful subsampling. The combined analysis delivers a single continuous gradation plot that eliminates guesswork in material selection.

Local considerations

A contractor in Sault Ste Marie's east end placed imported granular fill for a commercial pad. The spec called for less than 5% passing the No. 200 sieve. The supplier's ticket showed clean sand. On site, the material looked fine. A quick sieve-only check would have passed it. But the full hydrometer analysis caught 12% fines from silt contamination in the source pit. That discrepancy meant the fill was frost-susceptible. Under Sault Ste Marie winter conditions, trapped moisture would freeze and heave the slab. The load of material was rejected before placement. The cost of the lab test was less than the cost of removing settled concrete a year later. This scenario repeats across the region. Clay seams in local gravel pits are common. Without the hydrometer portion, the true fines content stays hidden. The combined grain size analysis catches what visual inspection and simple sieve stacks miss every time.

Technical parameters

Parameter	Typical value
Test standard	ASTM D422 / D6913
Particle range	75 mm to 0.001 mm
Minimum sample mass	500 g (fine) to 50 kg (coarse)
Sieve series	75, 50, 37.5, 25, 19, 9.5, 4.75, 2.00 mm + fine stack
Hydrometer type	152H, ASTM-calibrated
Dispersing agent	Sodium hexametaphosphate solution
Reported parameters	D10, D30, D60, Cu, Cc, % gravel, % sand, % fines

Other technical services

Combined Sieve + Hydrometer Package

Covers the complete particle size range from coarse gravel to clay. Includes mechanical sieving through a full stack per ASTM D6913 plus hydrometer sedimentation per ASTM D422. We report the continuous gradation curve, D-values, uniformity and curvature coefficients, and USCS classification. Ideal for geotechnical investigations, fill certification, and frost-susceptibility assessment.

Sieve-Only Analysis (Coarse Fraction)

Mechanical sieve analysis for sand and gravel fractions per ASTM D6913. We run wash sieving through the No. 200 sieve to determine fines content by mass difference. Suitable for concrete aggregate grading checks and drainage material specification when the fine fraction is known to be minimal. Faster turnaround and lower cost than the full combined package.

Reference standards

ASTM D422 – Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils (Hydrometer), ASTM D6913 – Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis, NBCC 2020 – frost protection and material specification requirements, CSA A23.1 – Concrete aggregates and reference to ASTM C136/C117

Frequently asked questions

What does a combined sieve and hydrometer test cost in Sault Ste Marie?

A combined grain size analysis with full sieve stack plus hydrometer runs CA$180 to CA$260 per sample depending on whether we need to split the sample or run additional washes. A sieve-only analysis is CA$140 to CA$180. Turnaround is typically 3 to 5 business days. Rush service is available for an additional fee.

How much sample material do you need for the grain size analysis?

It depends on the maximum particle size. For fine-grained soils with particles under the No. 4 sieve, we need about 500 grams. For soils with gravel up to 19 mm, plan on 5 to 10 kg. If the material contains cobbles larger than 75 mm, we may need 30 to 50 kg to run the full coarse sieve stack. We can advise on sample size once you describe the material or send a photo.

Why do I need the hydrometer portion? Can't a sieve test tell me enough?

A sieve stack stops at the No. 200 sieve opening. It tells you the total percentage of material finer than 75 microns but not how much of that is silt versus clay. The hydrometer test separates the silt and clay fractions by measuring sedimentation rates. That distinction is critical for frost heave assessment, drainage design, and Atterberg limits correlation. In Sault Ste Marie, where freeze-thaw durability matters, skipping the hydrometer is a risk.

How do I interpret the D10, D30, and D60 values on the report?

D10 is the particle diameter at which 10% of the sample is finer. It is the effective grain size used in permeability estimates. D30 and D60 are the diameters at 30% and 60% passing. The ratio D60/D10 gives you the coefficient of uniformity Cu, which describes the range of particle sizes. D30 squared divided by D10 times D60 gives the coefficient of curvature Cc. A well-graded soil typically has Cu greater than 4 for gravel or greater than 6 for sand, and Cc between 1 and 3. We include these values and a brief interpretation note with every report.