Name: _________________________________

Group No. :__________________

Date Performed: _______________________

LABORATORY WORK NO. 4: SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AGGREGATES

OBJECTIVE: To determine the Modulus of Fineness of sand by mechanical sieving.

REFERENCE: ASTM C136-76

ASTM E11

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT:

1. Set of sieves ( #4, #8, #16, #32, #50, #100, pan )

2. Sieve shaker
3. Balance
4. Trowel
5. Container
6. Oven

TESTING PROCEDURE:

1. Using a sample splitter or by quartering, reduce a field sample of sand to an amount

suitable for testing, say about 5,000 grams.

2. Dry the sample to constant weight.

3. Assemble the sieves in the following manner: #4, #8, #16, #32, #50, #100, and pan.

4. Placed the weighed sand on the stack of sieve, and perform mechanical sieving for five
minutes.

5. Weigh the material retained in each sieve, and record as tabulated.

6. Compute for the quantities called for.

DATA AND RESULTS:

a. Weight of Sample: ____________________gms.

b. Source: ______________________

c. Physical Characteristics: __________________________

d. Moisture Condition of the Sand Used: __________________________

e. Fineness Modulus, FM : _____________

Weight Cumulative Percent weight Cumulative Percent Fineness
 Sieve size percent weight
retained weight retained retained passing modulus
retained
#4
#8
#32
#50
#100
pan

COMPUTATIONS: ( Refer to the board.)

REPORT:

1. Define what is “Fineness Modulus”. What is the fineness modulus range for good
quality sand?

2. What is the effect of a very low Fineness Modulus of sand in portland cement concrete?

3. Discuss the role of the Fineness Modulus of Sand in the derivation of mixture proportion
and the strength of portland cement concrete.