In Kitchener, we see too many projects where the gradation curve is treated as an afterthought. That is a mistake. The mix of glacial till, outwash sands, and silty pockets across Waterloo Region means two sites half a kilometer apart can drain completely differently. Our team runs the full ASTM D422 grain size analysis—mechanical sieving plus hydrometer when fines exceed 10%. We deliver the curve, the coefficients, and the USCS classification. No guesswork. For deep foundations in the Stanley Park area or along the Grand River floodplain, we often pair a CPT test with the lab gradation to validate the in-situ behavior. The lab result tells you what the soil is; the CPT tells you how it performs under load. That combination saves our clients money on over-conservative designs.
A single grain size curve can change your compaction spec, drainage design, and frost protection depth. Skipping it is the most expensive shortcut on a Kitchener job.
Methodology and scope
Site-specific factors
Builders active near the Doon South moraine face a different soil profile than those working in the downtown core near Victoria Park. The moraine carries a chaotic mix of boulders, sand lenses, and hard clay—a gradation nightmare if you are guessing. Downtown, you hit lacustrine silts that look stable but hold water and lose strength fast when disturbed. We have seen footings specified for ‘sandy loam’ fail inspection because the actual D10 and D60 values meant severe frost susceptibility. That triggers costly sub-excavation and granular replacement. A proper sieve and hydrometer analysis costs a fraction of one day’s delay. The ASTM D422 report gives your structural engineer the exact particle-size distribution to calculate permeability and assess frost heave risk under CSA guidelines. In the north-end industrial parks, we frequently combine the gradation with an Atterberg limits test to lock down the plasticity index on those grey silty clays.
Watch the video
Reference standards
ASTM D422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils, ASTM D6913 - Standard Test Methods for Particle-Size Distribution (Gradation) of Soils Using Sieve Analysis, CSA A23.1 / A23.2 - Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction (aggregate gradation reference), Ontario Building Code (OBC) - Part 4 structural design, referencing NBCC frost and soil parameters
Associated technical services
Standard Sieve Analysis
Mechanical dry sieving from 75 mm to 75 µm. Ideal for granular road base, filter materials, and concrete aggregates. Includes Cu and Cc coefficients and USCS classification.
Combined Sieve & Hydrometer
Full ASTM D422 package. We split the sample, run the sieve stack on the coarse fraction, and a hydrometer sedimentation test on the fines. Essential when silts and clays exceed 10% of the total mass.
Gradation + Atterberg Add-on
We pair the grain size curve with liquid and plastic limit tests. This gives your geotechnical engineer the full index properties to classify fine-grained soils and estimate compressibility and shear strength trends.
Typical parameters
Frequently asked questions
What does a grain size analysis cost in Kitchener?
A standard sieve-only analysis runs between CA$160 and CA$220. A combined sieve and hydrometer test, which covers the full particle range down to colloidal clay, ranges from CA$220 to CA$280 depending on sample complexity and rush turnaround.
How much sample do you need?
We require roughly 500 grams of oven-dried material for a sand-dominant sample. For silty or clayey soils, 200 grams is usually sufficient for the hydrometer portion. A representative 2 kg field sample gives us plenty of margin.
How does the hydrometer test work?
We disperse the fine fraction in a water-hexametaphosphate solution and measure the density over time as particles settle. Stoke’s Law converts those readings into particle size. It is the industry-standard method for quantifying silt and clay content below the No. 200 sieve.
Can this test tell me if my soil is frost susceptible?
Yes. The percent passing the 0.075 mm sieve directly feeds into frost susceptibility classification under ASTM and NBCC guidelines. If more than 10% of your material passes the 0.02 mm mark, you are likely looking at a frost-active soil that needs sub-excavation or insulation.