SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SIEVE ANALYSIS OF
COARSE AGGREGATES

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION LABORATORY

LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 4

Performed by:

MARAVILLA, BENNY Y.
PAGARAN, JOHN HARVEY A.
PALMERA, EARL ROBERT M.

Submitted by:

PAGARAN, JOHN HARVEY A.

Submitted to:

ENGR. ROBERT A. ROMERO

December 11, 2017

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I. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this exercise is to determine the particle size distribution or gradation of an
aggregate. A suitable gradation of an aggregate in a concrete mix is desirable in order to secure
workability of the mixture and economy in the use of cement.

II. EQUIPMENTS

a. Set of Sieves
b. Containers
c. Sieve Shaker

III. PROCEDURE

Note: Before starting the experiment, execute the method of quartering or using a mechanical splitter to
obtain the proper size sample.

1. Obtain proper weight of dry aggregate. (1.000kg)

2. Assemble sieves in the following order: 1.5”, 1”, 0.75”, 0.5”, 0.375”, 0.187”, 0.0937”, Pan

3. Place the weighted aggregates in the top of the sieve stack and cover with the lid. Properly secure the
sieves in the mechanical shaker and turn on the shaker for 5 minutes.

4. Weigh the materials that are retained on each of the sieves, including the weight retained on the pan,
and record in the data sheet. If the sums of these weights are not within 1 percent of the original sample
weight, the procedure should be repeated. Otherwise, use the sum of the weight retained to calculate
the percentage on each sieve.

5. Compute the cumulative percent retained, and the percent passing each sieve.

6. Plot the gradation curves for the coarse aggregate from the experiment. Compare the plotted points
to the standard specifications of AASHTO for the sieve analysis of coarse aggregates.

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 IV. TABULATION OF DATA

Trial 1:

Total Weight of Aggregate = 1.000 kg

WEIGHT OF AGGREGATE % TOTAL OF WEIGHT CUMULATIVE % OF TOTAL

SIEVE SIZE % PASSING
RETAINED (kg) RETAINED WEIGHT RETAINED
1.5” 0.087 8.7 8.7 91.3%
1.0” 0.060 6.0 14.7 85.3%
0.75” 0.083 8.3 23.0 77.0%
0.50” 0.362 36.2 59.2 40.8%
0.375” 0.128 12.8 72.0 28.0%
0.187” 0.264 26.4 98.4 1.6%
0.0937” 0.015 1.5 99.9 0.1%
Pan 0.001 0.1 100% 0.0%

Calculations 1:

% Total of Weight Retained=Weight Retained × 100 %

0.75 : 14.7 + 8.3 = 23.0
1.5 : 0.087 × 100% = 8.7 0.50 : 23.0 + 36.2 = 59.2
1.0 : 0.060 × 100% = 6.0 0.375 : 59.2 + 12.8 = 72.0
0.75 : 0.083 × 100% = 8.3 0.187 : 72.0 + 26.4 = 98.4
0.50 : 0.362 × 100% = 36.2 0.0937 : 98.4 + 1.5 = 99.9
0.375 : 0.128 × 100% = 12.8 PAN :99.9+ 0.1=100 %
0.187 : 0.264 × 100% = 26.4
0.0937 : 0.015 × 100% = 1.5 % Passing :
PAN :0.001 ×100 %=0.1 %
1.5 : 100% - 8.7 = 91.3
Cumulative % of Total Weight Retained : 1.0 : 91.3 - 6.0= 85.3
0.75 : 85.3 -8.3 = 77.0
1.5 : 0 + 8.7 = 8.7 0.50 : 77.0- 36.2 = 40.8
1.0 : 8.7 + 6.0= 14.7 0.375 : 40.8 - 12.8 = 28.0
0.187 : 28.0 - 26.4 = 1.6
0.0937 : 1.6 - 1.5 = 0.1
PAN :0.1−0.1=0.0 %
Trial 2:

Total Weight of Aggregate = 1.000 kg

WEIGHT OF AGGREGATE % TOTAL OF WEIGHT CUMULATIVE % OF TOTAL

SIEVE SIZE % PASSING
RETAINED (kg) RETAINED WEIGHT RETAINED
1.5” 0.087 8.7 8.7 91.3%
1.0” 0.071 7.1 15.8 84.2%
0.75” 0.092 9.2 25.0 75.0%
0.50” 0.335 33.5 58.5 41.5%
0.375” 0.131 13.1 71.6 28.4%
0.187” 0.266 26.6 98.2 1.8%
0.0937” 0.013 1.3 99.5 0.5%

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 Pan 0.005 0.5 100% 0.0%
Calculations 2:

% Total of Weight Retained=Weight Retained × 100 %0.75 : 15.8 + 9.2 = 25.0

0.50 : 25.0 + 33.5 = 58.5
1.5 : 0.087 × 100% = 8.7 0.375 : 58.5 + 13.1 = 71.6
1.0 : 0.071 × 100% = 7.1 0.187 : 71.6+ 26.6 = 98.2
0.75 : 0.092 × 100% = 9.2 0.0937 : 98.2 + 1.3 = 99.5
0.50 : 0.335 × 100% = 33.5 PAN :99.5+ 0.5=100 %
0.375 : 0.131 × 100% = 13.1
0.187 : 0.266 × 100% = 26.6 % Passing :
0.0937 : 0.013 × 100% = 1.5
PAN :0.005 ×100 %=0.5 % 1.5 : 100% - 8.7 = 91.3
1.0 : 91.3 - 7.1 = 84.2
Cumulative % of Total Weight Retained : 0.75 : 84.2 -9.2 = 75.0
0.50 : 75.0- 33.5 = 41.5
1.5 : 0 + 8.7 = 8.7 0.375 : 41.5 - 13.1 = 28.4
1.0 : 8.7 + 7.1= 15.8 0.187 : 28.4 - 26.6 = 1.8
0.0937 : 1.8 - 1.3 = 0.5
PAN :0.5−0.5=0.0 %

Trial 3:

Total Weight of Aggregate = 1.000 kg

WEIGHT OF AGGREGATE % TOTAL OF WEIGHT CUMULATIVE % OF TOTAL

SIEVE SIZE % PASSING
RETAINED (kg) RETAINED WEIGHT RETAINED
1.5” 0.087 8.7 8.7 91.3%
1.0” 0.058 5.8 14.5 85.5%
0.75” 0.095 9.5 24.0 76.0%
0.50” 0.377 37.7 61.7 38.3%
0.375” 0.125 12.5 74.2 25.8%
0.187” 0.246 24.6 98.8 1.2%
0.0937” 0.010 1.0 99.8 0.2%
Pan 0.002 0.2 100% 0.0%

Calculations 3:
1.5 : 0 + 8.7 = 8.7
% Total of Weight Retained=Weight Retained × 100 %1.0 : 8.7 + 5.8= 14.5
1.5 : 0.087 × 100% = 8.7
1.0 : 0.058 × 100% = 5.8
0.75 : 0.095 × 100% = 9.5
0.50 : 0.377 × 100% = 37.7
0.375 : 0.125 × 100% = 12.5 0.75 : 14.5 + 9.5 = 24.0
0.187 : 0.246 × 100% = 24.6 0.50 : 24.0 + 37.7 = 61.7
0.0937 : 0.010 × 100% = 1.0 0.375 : 61.7 + 12.5 = 74.2
PAN :0.002 ×100 %=0.2 % 0.187 : 74.2+ 24.6 = 98.8
0.0937 : 98.8 + 1.0 = 99.8
Cumulative % of Total Weight Retained :

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PAN :99.8+ 0.2=100 % 0.75 : 85.5-9.5 = 76.0
0.50 : 76.0- 37.7 = 38.3
% Passing : 0.375 : 38.3 - 12.5 = 25.8
0.187 : 25.8 - 24.6 = 1.2
1.5 : 100% - 8.7 = 91.3 0.0937 : 1.2 - 1.0 = 0.2
1.0 : 91.3 - 5.8= 85.5 PAN :0.2−0.2=0.0 %
Average:

Total Weight of Aggregate = 1.000 kg

WEIGHT OF AGGREGATE
SIEVE SIZE % PASSING
RETAINED (kg)
1.5” 0.087 91.3%
1.0” 0.063 85.0%
0.75” 0.090 76.0%
0.50” 0.358 40.2%
0.375” 0.128 27.4%
0.187” 0.259 1.5%
0.0937” 0.01267 0.233%
Pan 0.0023 0.0%

SEMI-LOG GRAPH:

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V. DOCUMENTARY

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VI. REMARKS

The sieves are one of the most expensive and hard to find apparatuses in the laboratory. It is
strongly advised to handle these sieves with care and return it to its designated places after use.

In pouring the sample aggregates into the sieves, one must be very careful in doing so because
the sieves are very fragile. If it is done roughly, the diameter of a sieve could be compromised. Also, in
stacking the sieves, the one handling it should tightly stack the sieves to prevent spillage of the sample.

After shaking the sieves, always check for residues in the sieves before recording the sample’s
weight. There is a high possibility that some samples were still stuck in between the holes of the sieves
and if these were neglected, an error is expected in calculating for its total weight.

VII. CONCLUSION

Coarse Aggregates make up 40% - 45% of the concrete mixture. The required diameter must be
greater than 4.75mm. (#4) or 0.187in. It can be concluded from our findings that our sample passed the
sieve test since the calculate % passing of the sample from sieve 1.5in. down to sieve #4 were greater
compared to the % passing in sieve 0.0937 (#8). Passing this sieve test would mean secured workability
and economy for the concrete mixture.

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