oSIST ISO/DIS 11277:2025
(Main)Soil quality - Determination of particle size distribution in mineral soil material - Method by sieving and sedimentation
Soil quality - Determination of particle size distribution in mineral soil material - Method by sieving and sedimentation
This document specifies a basic method of determining the particle size distribution applicable to a wide range of mineral soil materials, including the mineral fraction of organic soils. It also offers procedures to deal with the less common soils mentioned in the introduction. This document has been developed largely for use in the field of environmental science, and its use in geotechnical investigations is something for which professional advice might be required.
A major objective of this document is the determination of enough size fractions to enable the construction of a reliable particle-size-distribution curve.
This document does not apply to the determination of the particle size distribution of the organic components of soil, i.e. the more or less fragile, partially decomposed, remains of plants and animals. It is also realized that the chemical pre-treatments and mechanical handling stages in this document could cause disintegration of weakly cohesive particles that, from field inspection, might be regarded as primary particles, even though such primary particles could be better described as aggregates. If such disintegration is undesirable, then this document is not used for the determination of the particle size distribution of such weakly cohesive materials.
Qualité du sol - Détermination de la répartition granulométrique de la matière minérale des sols - Méthode par tamisage et sédimentation
Le présent document spécifie une méthode de base de détermination de la répartition granulométrique des matières minérales des sols, y compris la fraction minérale des sols organiques. Il propose également des modes opératoires permettant de traiter les sols particuliers cités dans l'introduction. Le présent document a été élaboré pour être largement utilisé dans le domaine de la science de l'environnement, et son utilisation dans des recherches géotechniques est un point pour lequel un avis professionnel peut se révéler nécessaire.
Un objectif majeur du présent document est la détermination d'un nombre suffisant de fractions granulométriques pour permettre la construction d'une courbe de répartition granulométrique fiable.
Le présent document ne s'applique pas à la détermination de la répartition granulométrique des composants organiques du sol, à savoir les restes plus ou moins fragiles, partiellement décomposés, de plantes ou d'animaux. Il est également à noter que les traitements chimiques préalables et les étapes de manipulation mécanique dans le présent document peuvent entraîner la désintégration de particules à faible cohérence qui, du point de vue d'une inspection sur le terrain, pourraient être considérées comme des particules primaires et mieux décrites en tant qu'agrégats. Si cette désintégration n'est pas souhaitable, alors le présent document n'est pas utilisé pour la détermination de la répartition granulométrique de ces matières à faible cohérence.
Kakovost tal - Določanje porazdelitve velikosti delcev v mineralnem delu tal - Metoda s sejanjem in usedanjem
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Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2025
Kakovost tal - Določanje porazdelitve velikosti delcev v mineralnem delu tal -
Metoda s sejanjem in usedanjem
Soil quality - Determination of particle size distribution in mineral soil material - Method
by sieving and sedimentation
Qualité du sol - Détermination de la répartition granulométrique de la matière minérale
des sols - Méthode par tamisage et sédimentation
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO/DIS 11277
ICS:
13.080.20 Fizikalne lastnosti tal Physical properties of soils
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 11277
ISO/TC 190/SC 3
Soil quality — Determination of
Secretariat: DIN
particle size distribution in mineral
Voting begins on:
soil material — Method by sieving
2025-05-23
and sedimentation
Voting terminates on:
2025-08-15
Qualité du sol — Détermination de la répartition
granulométrique de la matière minérale des sols — Méthode par
tamisage et sédimentation
ICS: 13.080.20
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
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BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
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NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
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Reference number
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 11277
ISO/TC 190/SC 3
Soil quality — Determination of
Secretariat: DIN
particle size distribution in mineral
Voting begins on:
soil material — Method by sieving
and sedimentation
Voting terminates on:
Qualité du sol — Détermination de la répartition
granulométrique de la matière minérale des sols — Méthode par
tamisage et sédimentation
ICS: 13.080.20
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2025
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
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This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat. BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
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Published in Switzerland Reference number
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Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols . 2
5 Principle . 2
6 Field sampling . 3
7 Sample preparation . 4
8 Dry sieving (material >2 mm) . 4
8.1 General .4
8.2 Apparatus .4
8.3 Procedure .5
8.4 Calculation and expression of results .6
9 Wet sieving and sedimentation (material <2 mm) . 6
9.1 General .6
9.2 Apparatus .6
9.3 Reagents .14
9.4 Calibrations . 15
9.4.1 Sampling pipette (see Figure 4) . 15
9.4.2 Dispersing-agent correction . 15
9.5 Test sample . 15
9.6 Destruction of organic matter .16
9.7 Removal of soluble salts and gypsum .17
9.8 Removal of carbonates .18
9.9 Removal of iron oxides .18
9.10 Dispersion .19
9.11 Wet sieving at 0,063 mm.19
9.12 Sedimentation .19
9.13 Calculation of results for fractions <2 mm . 20
10 Test report .21
Annex A (normative) Determination of particle size distribution of mineral soil material that
is not dried prior to analysis .22
Annex B (normative) Determination of particle size distribution of mineral soils by a
hydrometer method following destruction of organic matter .25
Annex C (informative) Precision of the method .34
Annex D (informative) Ultrasonic bath assisted wet sieving and sedimentation.36
Bibliography .38
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Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 190, Soil quality, Subcommittee SC 3, Chemical
and physical characterization.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 11277:2020), which has been technically
revised and the first edition of ISO 11277:2020/Amd 1:2024. The main changes compared to the previous
edition are as follows:
— Incorporation of ISO 11277:2020/Amd 1:2024;
— Document has been editorially revised.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/DIS
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