Example: Sieve Analysis for coarse aggregates

A dry sample of coarse aggregate with a mass of 8145 g is passed through the sieves and the mass retained on
each sieve are shown.

Calculations for sieve analysis of coarse aggregate

Sieve Mass Individu Total % Total % Specification Remarks

Size retained, al % retained passing limit (Refer to (if passed
g, retained cumulati Table 2 for or failed)
individual ve Coarse
on each Aggregates)
sieve
25.0 mm 0
(1 in.)
19.0 mm 405
(3/4 in.)
12.5 mm 2850
(1/2 in.)
9.5 mm 2435
(3/8 in.)
4.75 mm 2030
(No. 4)
2.36 mm 375
(No. 8)
Get the total
Pan 35
mass
Total 8130

1. Determine if the total mass (from the mass retained) differs by  0.3% based on the original dry sample mass.

From the given data: (8,145 – 8,130) / 8,145 x 100% = 0.184% (ok)
2. Determine the Individual % retained

Sieve Mass Individu Total % Total % Specification Remarks

Size retained, al % retained passing limit (Refer to (if passed
g, retained cumulati Table 2 for or failed)
individual ve Coarse
on each Aggregates)
sieve (405/8145) x 100%
25.0 mm 0 0 = 4.97%
(1 in.)
19.0 mm 405 5
(3/4 in.)
12.5 mm 2,850 35
(1/2 in.)
9.5 mm 2,435 30
(3/8 in.)
4.75 mm 2,030 25
(No. 4)
2.36 mm 375 5
(No. 8)
Pan 35 0

Total 8130 100

3. Determine the Cumulative Total % retained.

Sieve Mass Individu Total % Total % Specification Remarks

Size retained, al % retained passing limit (Refer to (if passed
g, retained cumulati Table 2 for or failed)
individual ve Coarse
on each Aggregates)
sieve
25.0 mm 0 0 0 0+5=5
(1 in.)
19.0 mm 405 5 5 5 + 35 =
(3/4 in.)
40
12.5 mm 2,850 35 40
(1/2 in.)
9.5 mm 2,435 30 70
(3/8 in.)
4.75 mm 2,030 25 95
(No. 4)
2.36 mm 375 5 100
(No. 8)
Pan 35 0 100

Total 8130 100 ------

 4. Determine the Total % passing.

Sieve Mass Individu Total % Total % Specification Remarks

Size retained, al % retained passing limit (Refer to (if passed
g, retained cumulati Table 2 for or failed)
individual ve Coarse
on each Aggregates)
sieve
25.0 mm 0 0 0 100
(1 in.) 100 - 5 =
19.0 mm 405 5 5 95 95
(3/4 in.)
12.5 mm 2,850 35 40 60
(1/2 in.)
9.5 mm 2,435 30 70 30
(3/8 in.)
4.75 mm 2,030 25 95 5
(No. 4)
2.36 mm 375 5 100 0
(No. 8)
Pan 35 0 100 0

Total 8130 100 ------ ------

Find the:

a. Maximum size =
b. nominal maximum size =
5. Identify the size number and look for the specification limit (Refer to Table 2 for Coarse Aggregates. Then if
all the passing percentages correspond to the limit.

Example: Nominal maximum sixe of ¾” or 19mm has a size number of either 6 or 67; based from the
computed Percent Passing of the coarse agggregate sample, it is nearest to size number 67 with the
following specification limit.

Sieve Mass Individu Total % Total % Specification Remarks

Size retained, al % retained passing limit, % (Refer (if passed
g, retained cumulati to Table 2 for or failed)
individual ve Coarse
on each Aggregates)
sieve
25.0 mm 0 0 0 100 100 Passed
(1 in.)
19.0 mm 405 5 5 95 90 – 95 Passed
(3/4 in.)
12.5 mm 2,850 35 40 60 ---- Passed
(1/2 in.)
9.5 mm 2,435 30 70 30 20 – 55 Passed
(3/8 in.)
4.75 mm 2,030 25 95 5 0 – 10 Passed
(No. 4)
2.36 mm 375 5 100 0 0–5 Passed
(No. 8)
Pan 35 0 100 0 ---- Passed

Total 8130 100 ------ ------

6. Compute for the Fineness Modulus

Example:

The FM of the combined aggregate can be determined by adding the percentage retained on the specified
series of sieves.

Sieve size Total % retained

19.0 mm (3/4 in.) 5

9.5 mm (3/8 in.) 70
4.75 mm (No. 4) 95
2.36 mm (No. 8) 100
1.18 mm (No. 16) 100
600 μm (No. 30) 100
300 μm (No. 50) 100
150 μm (No. 100) 100
Sum 670

Fineness modulus, F.M. = 670/100

= 6.70
7. Graph the result using your gradation chart.

Example: