Materials of Construction Laboratory

Experiment 3:
Sieve Analysis of Aggregate (ASTM C136)
Introduction

Definition
Aggregate are particles of natural or
artificial origin having sizes smaller than 10cm.

Role of Aggregate in Concrete

 70 – 80 % of the volume of concrete is composed

of aggregate.
 Aggregate is an inexpensive material dispersed
throughout the cement paste so as to produce a large
volume. (economical)
 aggregate physical, thermal, and sometimes chemical
properties would improve volume stability and durability
of concrete as compared to those of cement paste.
Classification of Aggregate

According to particle size

Fine Aggregate: is defined as that portion of

aggregate that passing sieve #4 and retained
on sieve #200.

 Coarse Aggregate: is defined as that portion

of aggregate that retained on sieve #4 .
Sampling {ASTM D 75}

Minimum Mass of Field Sample (kg)

Maximum Nominal Minimum Mass of
Aggregate Size Field Sample (kg)
No. 8 (2.36 10
mm)
No. 4 (4.75 10
mm)
9.5 mm (3/8”) 10
12.5 mm (0.5”) 15
19 mm (0.75”) 25
25 mm (1”) 50
37.5 mm (`1.5”) 75
Sample Reduction {ASTM C 702}

Quartering
Sample Reduction {ASTM C 702}
Quartering
Sample Reduction {ASTM C 702}
Quartering
Mechanical splitter
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

It is the process of dividing a sample of aggregate

into fractions of same size. It’s purpose is to
determine the grading or size distribution of the
aggregate. General sieve Size are shown in Table.
 Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Aggregate gradation and size

affect the relative proportions,
workability, and economy of a
mix and the water-tightness
and shrinkage of finished
concrete. In general,
aggregate used for concrete
must be well- graded to
produce a dense mass with
minimum voids.
Aggregate that is not well-
graded may reduce the
strength of finished concrete
and increase the cost of the
mix because of the additional
paste required to fill voids.
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Minimum Mass of Test Sample (after drying)

Maximum Aggregate Minimum Mass of Test
Size Sample (kg)
#8 (2.36 mm) 0.10 (100 g)
#4 (4.75 mm) 0.50 (500 g)
9.5 mm (3/8”) 1
12.5 mm (0.5”) 2
19 mm (0.75”) 5
25 mm (1”) 10
37.5 mm (`1.5”) 15
 Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Series of Series of Fine

Coarse Aggregate Sizes
Aggregate
Sizes 9.5 mm
25 mm
19 mm mm Pan
12.5
mm
9.5 mm
4.75
#4
#8
# 16
# 30
# 50
# 100
Pan
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

A sample of air dried aggregate is graded by

shaking or vibrating a nest of staked sieves with the
largest sieve at the top, for a specified time, so that
the material retained on each sieve represents the
fraction coarse than the sieve in the question but
finer than the sieve above.

The sieves have square

openings and are usually
constructed
of wire mesh.
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Sample Calculation: Fine Aggregate

Retained Retained %C %C
Sieve
(Grams) (%) R P
3/8 0 0 0 100
#4 50 5 5 95
#8 15 1 20 80
0 5
# 16 15 1 35 65
0 5
# 30 30 3 65 35
0 0
# 50 20 2 85 15
0 0
# 10 1 95 5
100 0 0
Pan 50 -- --- ---
-
Sum 305
 Original Sample Weight (W1) =...............................grams

Wt. Wt. Weight Percentag

Sieve Percenta Percentage
Sieve Sieve + Retaine e
No. Size ge Cumulativ
(gram Material d Cumulativ
Opening Retained e Passing
) (gram) (grams e
in (mm)
) Retained
1” 1.0 (25.0)
3/4" 0.75 (19.0)
1/2" 0.5 (12.5)
3/8” 0.375 (9.5)
#4 0.187 (4.75)
Pan
Σ = W2

% Error = 100 ( W1-W2)/W1 =...............%

(Note: The error must be less than 0.3% or test must be repeated.)
Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Particle size: considered to be the size of the smallest sieve

opening through which the sample passes.

Dmax: Designated as the smallest sieve through which 100% of

the aggregate sample particles pass. (The smallest sieve
opening through which the entire amount of aggregate is
required to pass).

Dnominal : Designated as the largest sieve that retains some of the

aggregate particles, but generally not more than 10%. (The
smallest sieve opening through which the entire amount of
aggregate is permitted to pass).

Dmax: Depends on the type of construction.

Grading (Sieve Analysis ASTM C136)

Grading Curves
The results of sieve analysis can be represented in a graphical
form after this process (sieve analysis) was performed in a
tabular form.

Use semi-log paper to plot the grading curves.

Grading Requirements According to
ASTM
Grading Requirements According to ASTM
Fine Aggregate
Sieve % Passing
Size a

3/8” (9.5
100
mm)
#4 95-100
#8 80-100
# 16 50-85
# 30 25-60
# 50 10-30
# 100 2-10
Fineness Modulus ASTM 125 & BS 812-Part I

Methods: Fineness Modulus (FM): Sum of

Percentage Cumulative Retained on
Standard Sieves # 4, # 8, # 16, # 30, # 50, & #
100
Divided by 100.

Specifications: 2.3  FM  3.1

Sample Calculation (previous example):

FM = 305/100 = 3.05
Fineness Modulus ASTM 125 & BS 812-Part I

The fineness modulus is a single factor computed

from the sieve analysis the usefulness of the FM lies in:

1. Detecting slight variation in the aggregate from the same source

which could affect the workability of the fresh concrete. (check
the uniformity of grading).
2. Index of the relative fineness or coarseness of sand in a
concrete mix.

Aggregate with a very low or high fineness modulus

is not as satisfactory for concrete as aggregate with a
medium fineness modulus.
Practical Grading

Use aggregate with a grading such that a reasonable

workability and minimum segregation are obtained in
order to produce :
- strong Concrete -Economical concrete
 Grading Types

-Well-graded aggregate has a gradation of particle sizes

that fairly evenly spans the size from the finest to the
coarsest.

-Uniform (poorly) graded aggregate is characterized by small

variations in size (large amount of one size is represented by a
vertical line ). This means that the particles pack together,
leaving relatively large voids in the concrete.

-Gap-graded aggregate consists of coarse aggregate particles

that are similar in size but significantly different in size from
the fine aggregate ( one size is missing and is represented by a
horizontal line over the range of sizes omitted)
Well-graded aggregate
Uniform (poorly) graded
aggregate
Gap-graded aggregate
 Blending

If the aggregate gradation does not meet

recommended limits due to the lack or abundance
of certain particle sizes, blend the material to meet
the requirements. Correct deficiencies by adding
missing particles or screening out abundant
particles.