Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to Test Sample

ASTM C 702, D75

Purpose: To obtain laboratory samples of aggregates from stockpiles.
Equipment: Shovel, scoop, boom.

Procedure:
1-Obtain a sample of aggregate (about 50 kg) from three places in the stockpile: from the top third,
at the midpoint, and from the bottom third of the volume of the pile.
2- Place the field sample on a hard, clean level surface.
3- Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample three times.
4- Shovel the entire sample into a conical pile.
5- Carefully flatten the conical to a uniform thickness and diameter by pressing down the apex
with a shovel. (The diameter should be approximately four to eight times the thickness).
6- Divide the flattened mass into four equal quarters with a shovel.
7- Remove two diagonally opposite quarters. Brush the cleared spaces clean.
8-Mix and quarter the remaining materials until the sample is reduced to the desired size.

Note
The sample splitters can be used instead of flattening the mass on a level surface.

Sieve Analysis of Aggregate

Introduction:
The evaluation of the distribution of particle sizes or gradation is a very important step in the
process of developing mix designs for Portland cement concrete. Different communities will
require the use of local aggregate sources to keep the price of the concrete mix reasonable. Since
the raw materials and even the crushing equipment used at the source (pit) will be different at each
community, there are no absolute recipes for producing concrete mixes. The resulting gradation of
each material will be compared to ASTM standard requirements

Objective:
This test in a concrete Lab. done by the students to learn the followings:
1
2

To determine Particle size distribution (grading) of fine and coarse aggregate by dry sieving
To ensure that grading complies with applicable requirements and to control the material of
various aggregate products

To determine Fineness modulus of fine aggregate which is required for concrete mix design
by ACI design method

Materials
Coarse Aggregate, for nominal maximum size of 25 mm, the minimum mass is 10 kg
Fine Aggregate: with at least 85 % passing 4.75 mm sieve, the minimum mass is 0.5 kg
Weight of aggregate depends on the maximum size of aggregate

Apparatus
1

Balances or scales with a minimum accuracy of 0.5 g for coarse aggregate and 0.1 g for
fine aggregate
Standard series of sieves for coarse and fine aggregate
Mechanical sieve shaker
o
Oven capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 + 5 C

5
6

Sample splitter to reduce the quantity of the material to the size required for sieve analysis
Miscellaneous pans, brushes, scoop

2
3

Procedures
1. Select about 10 kg of the coarse air dried aggregate
2. Using splitter to reduce the sample of aggregate to 3 kg and record the mass
3. Select suitable sieve sizes. Common sieves in millimeters are 37.5 , 25, 19, 12.5 ,9.5 4.75
for coarse aggregate and 9.5 , 4.75 , 2.36, 1.18.0.6,0.3,0.15 for fine aggregate with pans
and their covers . weigh empty sieves
4. Nest the sieves (place each one above the other ) such that the larger one on the top and
the smallest size of sieves at the bottom and place the pan under all , then place the
aggregate sample on the top sieve and cover it

5. Agitate the sieves either by hand or by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period about
10 minutes.
6. Determine the weight of each sieve increment.
7. The total weight of the material after sieving should not be differ by more than 0.3 %
based on the original dry sample weight.

Analysis and Results

1
2
3
4

Total percentage retained, on the bases of the total weight of the initial dry sample
Calculate percentage passing by subtracting the percentage retained from 100%
Plot the grain size distribution on a semilog graph paper
Calculate the fineness modulus of fine aggregate to the nearest 0.01 by summing the
percentage cumulative retained on all the sieves excluding the pan and dividing by 100

Datasheet
Coarse aggregate
Sieve
Weight of
size
aggregate
(mm)
retained (gm)
37.5
25
19.0
12.5
9.5
4.75

%
Retained

% Cumulative
retained

% Passing

Fine aggregate
Sieve size
Weight of aggregate
(mm)
retained (gm)
9.5
4.75
2.36
1.18
0.6
0.3
0.15
Questions
1
2
3

Retained Cumulative Passing

(%)
retained (%) (%)

What is the effect of aggregate grading on the properties of concrete

What is the meaning by fineness modulus
What is the effect of moisture on the surface of aggregate