UNIVERSITY of GUYANA

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Department of Civil Engineering

Name: Nicholas Klass

USI: 1043081
Course Name: CIV
Course No. : 1102
Standards Used: ASTM, AASHTO
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 2
1.1 Aim 2

2.0 Theoretical Analysis 3

2.1 Sieve Analysis 3
2.2 Aggregates 4
2.3 Classification of Aggregate according to ASTM D2487 4

3.0 Apparatus / Materials 5

4.0 Procedure 6
4.1 Procedure for fine aggregate 6
4.2 Procedure for coarse aggregate 6

5.0 Results and Analysis 7

5.1 Calculations 13

6.0 Discussion 14

7.0 Conclusion 15

8.0 References 16

9.0 Appendix 17

1
1.0 Introduction

A Sieve Analysis, commonly known as a gradation test, is an essential test performed in civil
engineering as it relates to aggregate. The sieve analysis determines the particle size of the
aggregate in a sample and its distribution. The Sieve Analysis is a laboratory test done by
passing through aggregate either coarse or fine through a series of sieves of various sizes that
have been stacked vertically on each other. The sieves are then shaken and the mass of the
aggregate retained by each sieve can be used to plot the gradation curve graph and determine
particle size. A sieve analysis is used in civil engineering to determine if the aggregate is of
good quality, and is in adherence to specification.

1.1 Aim

The objective of this lab is to determine the particle size distribution of fine and coarse
aggregate by sieving.

2
2.0 Theoretical Analysis

2.1 Sieve Analysis

A sieve analysis, also known as a gradation test is commonly used in civil engineering. The
primary purpose of sieve analysis is to determine the particle size distribution of an aggregate
sample. A sieve analysis is done by stacking a series of sieves of various sizes vertically and
the sieves are then shaken for approximately ten minutes. Aggregates are placed on the top
sieve. Each sieve is identified by either a number corresponding to the number of square
holes per inch of mesh or the opening size (Budhu,2000). Large sieve openings (25,4mm to
6.35mm) are designated by the sieve opening size, while smaller sieve sizes are designated by
numbers (Budhu,2000). The mass retained on each sieve is measured and the mass
percentage retained is calculated.
The soil retained is plotted on a graph of the percent of particles finer than a given sieve
(Budhu,2000). This graph is called the particle size distribution curve or the gradation curve.

Figure 1. Particle size distribution curves

Source: Budhu, M., 2000. Soil mechanics and foundations. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.

From to graph, the following information can be determined:

1. Uniformity coefficient (Cu), defined as, Cu = D₆ₒ / D₁₀
2. Coefficient of curvature (Cc), defined as, Cc = (D₃₀)² / D₁₀ * D₆ₒ
Where:
D₁₀ (effective particle size) is the diameter of soil for which 10% of the particles are finer.

3
D₃₀ is the diameter of soil for which 30% of the particles are finer.
D₆ₒ is the diameter of soil for which 60% of the particles are finer.
D₅₀ ( Average particle size) is the diameter of soil for which 50% of the particles are finer.

‘A soil that has a uniformity coefficient of <4 contains particles of uniform size. The
minimum value of Cu is 1 and corresponds to an assemblage of particles of the same size.
The gradation curve for poorly graded soil is almost vertical. Humps in the gradation curve
indicate two or more poorly graded soils. Higher values of uniformity coefficient (>4)
indicate a wider assortment of particle sizes. A soil that has a uniformity coefficient of >4 is
described as well-graded soil and is indicated by a flat curve. The coefficient of curvature is
between 1 and 3 for well-graded soils. The absence of certain grain sizes, termed gap-graded,
is diagnosed by a coefficient of curvature outside the range 1 to 3 and a sudden change of
slope in the particle size distribution curve, Poorly graded soils are sorted by water (e.g.,
beach sands) or by the wind. Gap-graded soils are also sorted by water, but certain sizes were
not transported. Well-graded soils are produced by bulk transport processes (e.g., glacial till).
The uniformity coefficient and the coefficient of concavity are strictly applicable to
coarse-grained soils’(Budhu,2000).

2.2 Aggregates

Aggregates are the materials used as fillers with binding material in the production of mortar
or concrete (Duggal,2008).
The Aggregate retained on the 4.75mm sieve is identified as coarse while aggregate passing
through the 4.75mm sieve is defined as fine (Duggal,2008).

2.3 Classification of Aggregate according to ASTM D2487

Gravel - Coarse: 75mm to 19mm, Fine: 19mm to 4.75mm

Sand - Coarse: 4.75mm to 2.0mm(No.10), Medium: 2.0mm to 0.425mm(No.40), Fine:
0.425mm to 0.075mm(No.200)
Silt - 0.075mm to 0.002mm
Clay - <0.002mm

(Budhu,2000)

4
3.0 Apparatus / Materials

● Series of sieves:
Sieve No.4
Sieve No .8
Sieve No.16
Sieve No.30
Sieve No.50
Sieve No.100
Sieve No.200
2’’ Sieve Figure 2. Stack of Sieves
1½‘’ Sieve
1’’ Sieve
¾‘’ Sieve
½‘’ Sieve
⅜‘’ Sieve
● Pan
● Scale
● Riffle Splitter
● Mechanical sieve Shaker
● 500.2g fine aggregate
● 1000g coarse aggregate

Figure 2. Source: Budhu, M., 2000. Soil mechanics and foundations. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

5
4.0 Procedure

4.1 Procedure for fine aggregate

1. Weighed 500.2g of fine aggregate

2. All sieve was cleaned using a brush.
3. Arrange the sieves on the mechanical sieve shaker from the biggest( sieve No.4) to
the smallest (sieve No.200).
4. Aggregate is poured on the top sieve and covered with a lid.
5. The sample is sieved for 10 minutes.
6. After sieving was done, the aggregate retained by each sieve was weighed.
7. The cumulative weight of the aggregate passing each sieve was calculated. If the
initial mass of the sample eas not retained the procedure is repeated.

AASHTO No. T 27, Sieve Analysis of fine and coarse aggregate.

4.2 Procedure for coarse aggregate

1. Passed coarse aggregates through a riffle splitter.

2. Weighed 1000g of coarse aggregate that was passed through the riffle splitter.
3. All sieve was cleaned using a brush.
4. Arrange the sieves on the mechanical sieve shaker from the biggest( 2’’ sieve) to the
smallest (sieve No.4).
5. Aggregate is poured on the top sieve and covered with a lid.
6. The sample is sieved for 10 minutes.
7. After sieving was done, the aggregate retained by each sieve was weighed.
8. The cumulative weight of the aggregate passing each sieve was calculated. If the
initial mass of the sample eas not retained the procedure is repeated.

AASHTO No. T 27, Sieve Analysis of fine and coarse aggregate

6
5.0 Results and Analysis

Table showing the size distribution of Fine Aggregate

Total weight of Aggregate = 500.2g

Mass of soil retained on Percent of Mass Cumulative Percent

Sieve No.
each sieve (g) Retained Percent Retained Finer

4 0 0 0 100

8 3.3 0.7 0.7 99.3

16 32.1 6.5 7.2 92.8

30 126.9 25.5 32.7 67.3

50 141.9 28.6 61.3 38.7

100 132.6 26.7 88.0 12.0

200 49.5 9.9 97.9 2.1

PAN 10.5 2.1

SUM 496.8
Table 1.

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Grain Size Distribution Graph for Fine Aggregate

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Fine Aggregate
D₁₀( effective particle size) = 0.16mm
D₅₀( average particle size) = 0.35mm
D₃₀ = 0.26mm
D₆₀ = 0.50mm

Uniformity Coefficient(Cu) = 0.50mm / 0.16mm

Cu = 3.13

Coefficient of Curvature(Cc) = (0.26mm)² / 0.16mm * 0.50mm

Cc = 0.85

Percent of soil type in sample

Gravel = 0%
Sand = 97.9%
Silt and Clay = 2.1%

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Table Showing Size Distribution of Coarse Aggregate
Total weight of Aggregate = 1000g

Mass of retained soil on Percent of Mass Cumulative Percent

Sieve No.
each sieve (g) Retained Percent Retained Finer

2" 0 0 0 100

1 1/2 " 4.2 0.4 0.4 99.6

1" 0 0 0.4 99.6

3/4" 37.2 3.7 4.1 95.9

1/2" 701.5 70.2 74.3 25.7

3/8" 204.0 20.4 94.7 5.3

4 52.3 5.2 99.9 0.1

PAN 0.5 0.1

SUM 999.7
Table 2.

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Grain Size Distribution Graph For Coarse Aggregate

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Coarse Aggregate
D₁₀(effective particle size) = 11.00mm
D₅₀( average particle size) = 15.50mm
D₃₀ = 14.00mm
D₆₀ = 15.00mm

Uniformity Coefficient(Cu) = 15.00mm / 11.00mm

Cu = 1.36

Coefficient of Curvature(Cc) = (14.00mm)² / 11.00mm * 15.00mm

Cc =1.19

Percent of soil type in sample

Gravel - Fine = 95.8%
- Coarse = 4.1%
Sand = 0.1%

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5.1 Calculations

1. Percent of mass retained on each sieve = Weight of retained soil ₓ 100%

Total weight of soil

2. Percent Finer = 100% ⁻ Cumulative percent retained.

3. The Gradation Curve can be used to determine information such as

● The effective particle size(D₁₀) - where the diameter of the soil particle is 10% finer.
● D₃₀ - where the diameter of the soil particles is 30% finer.
● D₆₀ - where the diameter of the soil particles is 60% finer.

● Uniformity Coefficient (Cu): Cu = D₆₀ / D₁₀

● Coefficient of Gradation (Cc): Cc = (D₃₀)² / D₁₀ ∗ D₆₀

● The grave, sand and silt, and clay percentage according to the ASTM.

13
6.0 Discussion

A sieve analysis is a simple way to determine the particle size distribution of both coarse and
fine aggregate. The Aggregate retained on the 4.75mm sieve(No.4) is identified as coarse
while aggregate passing through the 4.75mm(No.4) sieve is defined as fine (Duggal,2008)
and this is proved evident through the process of sieving. The sieve number describes which
size of aggregate particle can pass to the next or which size of particle can be retained.
After the sieving was done the mass retained by each sieve was weighted and some
calculations is done. The percent retained on each sieve, the cumulative percent retained, and
the percent finer is calculated. The gradation curve is plotted and from this more information
from the aggregate is acquired. The coarse aggregate was poorly graded according to the
gradation curve. The coarse aggregate has a Cu of 1.36 and a Cc of 1.19. The average particle
of both the fine and coarse aggregates are 0.35mm and 15.50mm respectively. From the
coarse aggregate 95.8% is fine gravel, 4.1% is coarse gravel and 0.1% is sand.
The fine aggregate is also poorly graded according to its gradation curve along with its Cu
value of 3.13 and Cc value of 0.85. The Cu and Cc values should be >4, between 1 and 3
respectively for it to be well graded. The fine aggregate has 97.9 percent of it being sand and
2.1% of it being silt and clay.

14
7.0 Conclusion

To sum up this report it is evident that sieving is an easy method that can be used to
determine the particle size distribution of both coarse and fine aggregate with the help of
some calculations and plotting of the gradation curve.

15
8.0 References

Budhu, M., 2000. Soil mechanics and foundations. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons,
Inc., pp.15-19.

Duggal, S., 2008. Building Materials (Third Revised Edition). 3rd ed. Daryaganj, New Delhi:
New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers.

16
9.0 Appendix

Figure 1 & Figure 2 (Captured by T.Beckles, 27/09/2022)“shows the weight of the pan before
and after samples (coarse aggregates) was placed.”

Figure 3 (Captured by T.Beckles, 27/09/2022) “shows samples (course aggregates) were

poured into different sieves in arranging the order and set on the sieve shaker.” Georgetown.

17
Figures 4 & 5(Captured by T.Beckles, 27/09/2022) “Each sieve was removed and aggregates
were weighted then recorded.” Georgetown.

Figures 6 & 7(Captured by T.Beckles, 27/09/2022) Show the Fine Aggregate poured into the
pan to be weight.

18
Figure 8 & 9(Captured by T.Beckles, 27/09/2022), Shows the different weight of Fine
aggregates.

19