Gradation of coarse Aggregate:

Coarse aggregate used in concrete making

contain aggregate of various size. This parctical size distribution of
coarse aggregate is termed as “Gradation” The sieve analysis is
conducted to determine this particle size distribution.
Typical range categories of aggregate grading:
 Well Graded:
Well graded aggregate has a gradation of particle size that
fairly evenly span the size from the finest to the coarsest. A slice of a core
of well graded aggregate concrete shows a packed field of many different
particle sizes.
 Poor Graded:
Poor graded aggregate is characterized by small variation in
size. It contains aggregate particles that are almost of the same size. This
means that the particle pack together, leaving relatively large voids in the
concrete.
 Gap Graded:
Gap graded aggregate consist of aggregate particle in which
some intermediate size particles are missing. A core slice gap graded, concrete
shows a field of small size aggregate interpressed with slightly isolated, large
aggregate pieces embedded in a small sized aggregate.

Sieve Analysis of aggregate:

A gradation test is performed on a sample of aggregate in a
laboratory. A typical sieve analysis involves a nested column of sieve with wire
mesh cloth (screen).
A weighed sample is poured into the top sieve which has the largest screen
openings than the one above. At the base is a round pan, called the receiver.
The column is typically placed in a mechanical shaker. The shaker
shakes the column, usually for some fixed amount of time. After the shaking is
complete the material on each sieve is weighed. The weight of the sample of
each sieve is then divided by the total weight to give a percentage retained on
each sieve. The size of the average particle on each sieve is less then analysed
to get a specific size range. The result of this test are used to describe the
properties of the aggregate and to see if it is appropriate for various civil
engineering purposes such as selscting the appropriate aggregate for concrete
mixes and asphalt mixes as well as sizing of water production well screens.

Fineness modulus of aggregate:

For aggregates used in pcc, A comman gradation description for
fine aggregate is the finenss modulus. It is defined as:
An empirical factor obtained by adding the commullative percentage
of aggregate retained on each of the standard sieve and dividing this sum by
100.