Soil Texture Analysis Set

What Is a Soil Texture Analysis Set?

The Soil Texture Analysis Set is a laboratory system used to prepare and evaluate soil suspensions for particle-size and texture analysis.

Soil texture is commonly described according to the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay contained in a soil sample. These fractions influence several engineering and physical characteristics of soil, including water retention, permeability and general mechanical behaviour.

The LT-S0006 Soil Texture Analysis Set combines the equipment required for sample dispersion and hydrometer-based sedimentation measurements in one laboratory package. LİYA supplies the system with a high-speed soil mixer, 152H hydrometer, Bouyoucos cylinder and stainless steel stirring rod.

High Speed Soil Mixer

The LT-S0007 High Speed Soil Mixer operates at more than 10,000 rpm.

Before hydrometer measurements are taken, soil particles must be dispersed as uniformly as possible in the test liquid. Fine particles can form aggregates that behave like larger particles during sedimentation if they are not properly separated.

The high-speed mixing action helps break down these aggregates and create a more homogeneous suspension.

According to LİYA, the mixing impeller begins operating automatically when the mixing container is positioned in the machine.

The mixer measures 24 × 20 × 50 cm, weighs approximately 4 kg and operates from a 220–240 V, 50–60 Hz electrical supply.

152H Hydrometer

The set includes an LT-S0005/5 152H Hydrometer.

LİYA specifies a measuring range of -5 to 60 g/L. The hydrometer is placed into the prepared soil suspension and readings are taken at the required intervals.

Sedimentation analysis is based on the principle that larger particles settle through a liquid faster than smaller particles.

ASTM D7928-21e1 uses this principle for determining the particle-size distribution of the fine-grained fraction of soils by hydrometer analysis. The ASTM method covers particles finer than the 75 µm No.200 sieve down to approximately 0.2 µm.

1205 mL Bouyoucos Cylinder

The LT-S0006/1 Bouyoucos Hydrometer Cylinder has a capacity of 1205 mL.

After sample dispersion, the prepared suspension is transferred to the graduated cylinder. The stainless steel stirring rod can be used to homogenise the suspension before sedimentation readings begin.

The transparent graduated cylinder allows the operator to observe the suspension and position the hydrometer during measurements.

LİYA lists the cylinder dimensions as 9 × 9 × 12.5 cm with an approximate weight of 0.25 kg.

Sedimentation and Particle-Size Analysis

Once mixing is completed, particles begin settling through the liquid according to their effective particle size.

Coarser particles settle relatively quickly. Fine silt and clay-sized particles remain suspended for longer periods.

Hydrometer readings taken at selected times can therefore be used to calculate the distribution of fine particle sizes.

ASTM notes that hydrometer results represent particle-size fractions rather than mineralogical identification. Where a complete particle-size distribution is required for soil containing coarse particles, sedimentation results should be combined with sieve-analysis results.

AASHTO T 88-22

Another relevant current reference is AASHTO T 88-22 — Particle Size Analysis of Soils.

The current AASHTO materials listings continue to show T 88-22 as the particle-size analysis method for soils.

This method is relevant to laboratory soil gradation work in which both coarse and fine particle fractions may need to be evaluated.

BS 1377-2:2022

The applicable current British laboratory-soil reference is BS 1377-2:2022.

BSI describes this standard as covering classification tests and determination of geotechnical properties of soils in the laboratory. The former BS 1377-2:1990 edition was replaced by the 2022 edition.

For that reason, BS 1377:9 should not be carried over to this product. Part 9 deals with in-situ field testing, while the Soil Texture Analysis Set is a laboratory sample-preparation and particle-analysis system.

Complete Soil Texture Laboratory Set

The complete LT-S0006 set measures 35 × 65 × 45 cm and weighs approximately 25 kg.

Its combination of rapid mechanical dispersion, a 152H hydrometer, graduated Bouyoucos cylinder and stirring equipment allows laboratories to carry out soil-suspension preparation and particle-size evaluation within one organised system.

Overall, the Soil Texture Analysis Set provides a practical laboratory solution for evaluating fine soil fractions and supporting the determination of sand, silt and clay distribution.