Particle Size Distribution

This chapter discusses that one of the methods used for determining grain size distribution is sieve analysis. After the grain size distribution has been determined, the depositional history of the rock may be inferred from graphical analysis of the grain-size distribution. The distribution of sizes of the grains in sediments is related to the availability of different sizes of particles in the parent matter from which the grains are derived; and the processes operating where the sediments were deposited, particularly the competency of fluid flow. Measurement of the grain size distribution will yield a plot of the cumulative mass percent of ranges of grain sizes versus the PHI-scale used for particles size notation, the surface area of the rock per unit of pore volume and of bulk volume, and the surface area per unit of grain volume of the sediment.