Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sieve Analysis S10
Sieve Analysis S10
The test sample is placed on the top sieve, the lid is put on, and the set of sieves is
agitated in the mechanical shaker. By measuring the weights of particles retained in each
sieve after the agitation the percentage of weight passing through (finer than) or
retained (coarser than) in each sieve is calculated. These values are plotted in a chart, as
previously described, and then compared with the specified or standard limits to establish
the suitability of the aggregates.
TEST
Purpose: to determine particle-size distribution and fineness modulus of coarse
aggregate (CA) by sieving.
Related Standard: ASTM C136
Definition: the fineness modulus is the sum of the total percentages of material in the
sample that is coarser than (cumulative percentages retained) each of the following sieves
and divided by 100: No. 8, No. 4, 3/8 in., in., 1 in., and larger, increasing in the ratio
2:1.
Use the same weight (same as that for in.) when the maximum size is less than in. +
Two different course aggregate and one fine aggregate samples will be used in the
sieve analysis.
Procedure
1. Weigh the dry sample accurately. Course aggregate samples should be at least 11
lbs.
2. Weigh each empty sieve and the pan.
3. Nest the suitable sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom.
Place the pan at the bottom of the set.
4. Place the sample on the top sieve.
5. Place the lid, and agitate the sieves in the mechanical shaker for about 5 minutes,
or long enough to distribute all the aggregate. .
6. Weigh the sieves with the material retained.
7. Determine the weight retained in each sieve. The total weight of the material after
sieving should check closely with the original weight of the sample.
8. Calculate the percentage coarser than and the percentage passing.
9. Draw the particle-distribution curves for all aggregates, and calculate the fineness
modulus for the fine aggregate.
10. Place all sieved materials into separate 5-gallon buckets. Separate approximately
10 lbs of both of the coarse aggregates for the specific gravity experiment. The
smallest course aggregate should be larger than the No. 4 sieve (i.e., not pass
through the No. 4 sieve.)
Report:
1. Make a table that includes: the pan used and its weight, the initial weight of the
sample, the weight of the material retained in each pan, the % retained, the %
coarser than.
2. Plot the particle-size distribution for each of the samples tested.
3. Using the particle-size distribution charts, characterize each of the sample
batches. For example, is it well graded, are there any missing sizes, etc.
4. Using the table below, determine the blend required to make a well graded
sample for in. coarse aggregate.