Digital simulation of soil sieve analysis: visualization of the laboratory process and practical relevance

Abstract

This paper presents approaches for enhancing the accuracy and
methodological transparency of laboratory determinations of soil grain-size distribution using digital simulation. The study aims to develop and implement an interactive model of the sieve analysis process that visualizes the sequence of laboratory operations and highlights the importance of a standardized procedure. The scientific significance lies in formalizing the traditional testing methodology and creating an algorithm that enables precise reproduction in a digital environment. The practical relevance of the research stems from the simulation’s ability to compensate for the limitations of real laboratory conditions, where alternative sieving scenarios cannot always be reproduced, thereby reducing the accuracy and repeatability of results. This issue is critical not only in education but also in engineering practice, where insufficient sieving completeness may distort grain-size characteristics and, consequently, lead to errors in construction design and bearing-capacity assessment. Incorporating these aspects into the digital simulation improves methodological awareness. It expands its applicability to both academic and engineering contexts, providing an additional tool for quality control and strengthening the reliability of geotechnical decision-making.