New Features for GrainSize Version 4

Direct creation of .PDF files

.PDF files are great for e-mailing reports to your clients because your client receives an exact picture of the printed report. However, Adobe's Acrobat program (which is typically used to create these files) is expensive, difficult to use and must be licensed for every computer that needs to create .PDF files. GrainSize's ability to directly create .PDF files of chart and summary reports means that you won't need to pay Adobe for a separate .PDF package.

Multiple sample splits

Older GEOSYSTEM grain size programs supported 1 split of the sample during sieve testing; the new program supports an unlimited number of splits per test.

Container weight database

GrainSize may be set up to keep a list of sample container IDs and weights. You can use this feature avoid weighing:

• The container used for hygroscopic moisture content tests.
• The container used to weigh the sieve test sample.
• The pan used for cumulative weight retained sieve tests.

New Particle Diameter Calculations

GrainSize adds reporting for D₂₀, D₈₀, D₉₀ and D₉₅.

Support for U.S.D.A., Burmister and Wentworth classifications

The U.S.D.A., Burmister and Wentworth classification systems specify different particle sizes for breaking down material into component fractions; e.g., Burmister's sand classification extends from #10 to #200 while the USCS/ASTM sand size ranges from #4 to #200. GrainSize allows you to specify which classification to use on a project-by-project basis.

Specifications can include tolerances

Each sieve in a specification envelope can be provided with a tolerance; e.g.,
#200: 10%-15%, ±2%
Test results falling within the tolerance will not be flagged as failing.

New chart types

You can now choose from semi-log, x^.45, Wentworth (Phi scale), log(size) vs. probability and linear particle size distribution charts.

Selectable minimum and maximum diameters for the particle distribution chart

Choose a 9-inch to 42-inch scale for plotting riprap, or a .1mm to 75mm scale for aggregates, etc.

Selectable chart scale labels

E.g., Percent Finer or Percent Passing; Grain Size in mms. or Particle Diameter, mm., etc.

Particle distribution charts can plot either percent retained or percent passing

You can also plot charts showing percent passing (i.e., percent finer) on the left side and percent retained on the right.

Curves may be plotted in color

When printed on a color printer, GrainSize can draw each test's particle size curve in a different color.

Specification envelopes may be omitted from the chart report

This is useful if your specification includes just a few points: the envelope will not be shown on the chart, but the program will still report whether the calculated percentages pass the specification

New report form designed for filter media tests

The new GSFILTER report form omits all soil-specific information, such as the classification, Atterberg limits, % gravel, sand, silt, clay, etc. GSFILTER also supports specification ranges for C_u and D₁₀; e.g., D₁₀ should be between 10 and 20%.

Reports can include a disclaimer

Your chart reports can include a disclaimer such as This report contains test results of a randomly selected sample and may not be indicative of the properties of similar materials used or sampled from the same site. This report shall not be altered or reproduced without the expressed written consent of the testing laboratory.

Reports can include an area for reporting (or signing) by the test technician and report reviewer

(I.e., "Tested by" and "Checked by".)

Fully automatic export of test reports

Whenever you enter a test or modify its data, GrainSize can automatically generate a .PDF version of the test report in a directory of your choosing. You can use this feature to maintain an archival copy of a project's reports (it's always better to store your data in as many formats as is possible if you want to be able to review your results many years down the road), or (if your webserver's directories are available on your local network) make your reports web-accessible.

Testing data may be exported to XML files

Microsoft Excel XP can directly read these files, so your clients who want to do their own data processing with a spreadsheet can import your testing data directly into Excel.

Selectable margins for all printouts

This feature can be used to make space at the top of the page for printing your reports on letterhead.

Reports can be copied to the Windows clipboard

From the clipboard, you can paste your grain size test reports directly into Word documents.

When a grain size sample is taken from a borehole, the sample descriptions may now be different than the boring log soil layer description.

Many times, at the depth where a sample was taken the material description entered into the boring log may be something like Same as above. With our previous grain size program you'd see Same as above in the Material Description block of your grain size test report, so you'd need to go back to the boring log data entry screen, change Same as above to whatever the material layer's description was, print the grain size test, then change the description back to Same as above. The new program allows you to pick the sample's description from a list of material descriptions entered for the borehole, without changing the sample's description in the boring log (e.g., the grain size report could print Silty, sandy clay as the material description, while the boring log continues to show Same as above).

User-specified sieve opening sizes

If you certify your sieves' opening sizes with a statistical measurement process you can now use each sieve's measured opening size instead of the standard opening size. For example, GrainSize normally uses an opening size of 2 mm. for a #10 sieve: if your sieve's openings averages 1.994 mm. with an optical measurement device, you can report the diameter of particles passing that sieve as 1.994 mm. instead of 2 mm.