SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COARSE AGGREGATE

(ASTM C-136 & AASHTO T-27)

Scope: - This test method covers the determination of the particle size coarse aggregates by sieving.

Theoretical Background
Sieve analysis is an operation of dividing a sample of aggregate into fractions. Different sized sieves are
used, for example, 2-in, 1-in, 3/4-in, 3/8-in, #4 (4.75mm), #8 (2.38mm), #16 (1.2mm), #30 (0.6mm), #50
(0.3mm), #100 (0.15mm), #200 (0.075).

The dividing line between the fine and coarse aggregate is #4 sieve. It means the particles of aggregate
passing through #4 sieve are termed as fine aggregate and those retained on it are called coarse aggregate.

The sieves are arranged so that with the biggest Openings is at the top and the one with the smallest
openings is at the Bottom. A sample of aggregate is allowed to pass through all the sieves and the
weights retained on each sieve are noted town. The results are reported in a tabular form and a graph is
plotted between the percentage passing on y-axis and sieve opening on x-axis on a semi-log scale.

Key words:
Sieve Numbers: A number assigned to designate the size of a sieve which corresponds to the number of
opening per linear inch. The #4 sieve means the sieve has 4 openings in one linear inch. Similarly #100
sieve means the sieve has 100 openings in one linear inch. This is true for other sieves also.

Sieve Analysis: - The maximum Dimension of a particle that will pass through the square hole of a
particular mesh.

Grading: - Grading test is also known as sieve analysis or particle size distribution. The test reveals the
proportions of different particle sizes in a granular material (e.g. aggregate, soil, etc.) by passing a sample
on a range of sieve sizes. A dry sample is passed on the sieves either without washing (known as dry
sieving) or after soaking and washing the sample over 0.075mm sieve to diffuse the sticking particles
prior to sieving (known as wet sieving). Dry sieving is used for cohesion less (non-plastic) materials like
sand and aggregate; while wet sieving is preferred for cohesive materials like soil and fillers.

Materials: Obtain a Field test Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice ASTM D 75 &
AASHTO 2 or 4 time the minimum size of test sample. Thoroughly mix the sample and reduce it by
quartering or riffling to an amount suitable for testing using the applicable procedures described in
Practice C 702.

Fine Aggregate —the size of the test sample, after drying, shall be 300 g minimum.

Coarse Aggregate—the size of the test sample of coarse aggregate shall conform to the following:

Nominal Maximum size inch (mm) 3/8-(9.5) 1/2-(12.5) 3/4-(19) 1-(25) 1-1/2-(37.5)
Minimum weight (kg 1 2 5 10 15

The amount of material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve is to be determined by Test Method C 117,
Apparatus:
1. Balance: For fine aggregate accurate for 0.1gm. For coarse aggregate accurate for 0.5gm.
2. Containers to carry the sample.
3. Oven.—capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 + 5°C (230 + 9°F).
4. Mechanical Sieve shaker.
5. Two sets of sieve:-For fine aggregate [ #4 , #8, #16 , #30 , #50, #100]
For coarse aggregate [37.5mm, 25.4mm, 19mm, 12.7mm, 9.5mm, /34 ,] In addition to a pan and a
cover for each set.

Procedure:
1- Dry the sample in oven (at 110+5 °C. ) and then allow it to cool to a room temperature.
2- Determine the weight of the test sample after cooling (M1).
3- Nest the sieve in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom place the sample on the
top sieve.
4- Agitate (shake) the sieve by hand or placing the set on the mechanical shaker for 10min.
5- Open the set of sieve carefully so that no loosing of materials is expected.
6- Determine the mass of material retained on each sieve to the nearest 0.1g (either individually or
cumulatively) the material retained on each sieve (M2).
7- The results must be companied with ASTM Specification C33 For fine aggregate: See Table 1 and for
Coarse aggregate: See Table 2

Calculations:

Retained % = (Cumulative Weight Retained / Total Weight of Sample) x 100

Passing % = 100 - Retained %

Note: Make sure that the summation of the residue weights equals to the original sample weight with a
difference not more than 1% of the original weight.

Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate ASTM C33

Total Weight of Sample (Oven Dry) 5000 Grams Table NO. 2

25.0 to 9.5 mm
Weight Cumulative (1 to 3/8 in.)
ASTM Sieves
Retained on each
Specification
Sieve Retained weight
Sieve Opening Retained % Passing % Limits
(grams) (grams)
No. mm Min Max
1½ 38.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 100 100 100
1 25.4 24.5 24.5 0.490 99.51 90 100
¾ 19.05 1108.5 1133 22.66 77.34 40 85
½ 12.7 2393.5 3526.5 70.53 29.47 10 40
3/8 9.5 883 4409.5 88.19 11.81 0 15
#4 4.75 574 4983.5 99.67 0.33 0 5
Pan 9