Wet Sieve Analysis is a laboratory procedure used to determine the particle size distribution of soil samples containing significant amounts of fine-grained particles. By washing the soil through a series of calibrated sieves, we separate and quantify the proportions of sand, silt, and clay that may otherwise clump together when dry.
Dry sieving often fails to provide an accurate picture of soil gradation because fine particles tend to adhere to larger grains or form clumps. In the Wet Sieve Analysis, a dispersant-treated sample is washed over a 75-micron sieve.
The materials retained on the sieves are dried and weighed to determine the coarse fraction, while the fines washed away are often further analyzed via hydrometer. This ensures that the fines content is correctly identified, which is vital for assessing soil permeability, frost susceptibility, and liquefaction potential.