Engineering Materials Sessional

Course Code: CE 2102

Presented by-
Nadira Islam Nila
Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering
Northern University of Business & Technology Khulna
 Experiment No – 03
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

Sieve Analysis: The term sieve analysis is given to the sample operation of
dividing a sample of aggregates in to fraction each consisting of particles between
specific limits. The analysis is conducted to determine the grading of material
proposed for use as aggregates. Gradation is determined by passing the material
through a series of sieves stacked with progressively smaller openings from top to
bottom and weighing the material retained on each sieve.
 Aggregates
Aggregates according to Grain
Size

Coarse Fine
Aggregates Aggregates

Coarse Aggregate: Aggregate predominantly retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4)

sieve or that portion of an aggregate retained on the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve is termed
as coarse aggregate.

Fine Aggregate: The portion passes through the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve is called
fine aggregate.
The physical properties of aggregates (natural or manufactured) can have a strong effect
other properties of fresh and hardened concrete. The physical characteristics of
aggregates that have the most influence on Concrete properties are listed here:

 Gradation;
 Surface texture;
 Particle shape;
 Absorption; and
 Durability.

Maximum size: In specifications for aggregates, the smallest sieve opening through
which the entire amount of aggregate is required to pass is called the maximum size.

Nominal maximum size: The smallest sieve opening through which 85% amount
of aggregate is permitted to pass is called the nominal maximum size.
 Classification of aggregates based on grading:
Depending on the percentage of size of aggregates present, aggregates are also classified
as:
1. Uniformly Graded Aggregates
2. Well graded Aggregates
3. Gap Graded Aggregates
4. Open graded
5. Poorly graded
1. Uniformly Graded Aggregates:

 In this type of aggregates, aggregates has more prominent percentage of particular

size of aggregates. Eg. Aggregates which has 16mm size of aggregates 80%, and
remaining 20% is combination of rest sizes.
 In uniformly graded aggregates, there will be high chances to form a void, and to fill
up this void cement paste requirement is very high. Due to this concrete can be more
porous.
 And the changes of high permeability and low stability is there.
2. Well graded Aggregates

 This consists almost all sizes of particles and due to this voids in concrete is almost
filled by small size aggregates and this form a compacted mass.
 Due to less voids formations, this is less permeable and has high stability.
 This is the most used and preferred aggregates, as it suitable for every type of
construction.
3. Gap Graded Aggregates:

 In this type of aggregates, a certain size of aggregate in missing (almost has zero
percentage).
 This has moderate voids, and moderate permeability and low stability.
 This are generally used for the construction, where economical mix is required.
 This is also used when to improve aesthetic purpose.
4. Open graded:

 In this type, the smaller size aggregates are present.

 Due to this, air voids are more and permeability is also more.

5. Poorly graded

 In this type, the particular size of aggregate in much and other are very less.
 Due to this, the void formation is more, stability is less and permeability is more.
 Sieve Size:
Fineness Modulus: Using the sieve analysis results, a numerical index called the
fineness modulus (FM) is often computed. The FM is the sum of the total percentages
coarser than each of a specified series of sieves, divided by100.

σ(𝐶𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 % 𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 150𝜇𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒)

𝐹𝑀 =
100

Apparatus:
 Balance (sensitive to within 0.1% of the weight of the sample),
 Sieves (conform to ASTM E11),
 Mechanical sieve shaker,
 Oven (capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 ± 5 °C (230 ± 9 °F).
 Procedure:
 Procedure for FA and CA:

1. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 50º C.

2. Nest the sieve in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and place
the sample on the top sieve.

3. Agitate the sieves by hand or by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period, say 15
minutes. The manual method should be performed in a proper sequence (forward and
backward motion, left and right motion, clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise
(CCW) motion and frequent jolting).
4. Limit the Quantity of material on a given sieve so that all particles have the
opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of times during the sieving operation.
For sieves with openings smaller than 4.75 mm (No. 4), the weight retained on any
sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed 6 kg/m2 (4 g/in2 ) of
sieving surface. For sieves with openings 4.75mm (No. 4) and larger, the weight in
kg/m of sieving surface shall not exceed the product of 2.5 *(sieve opening in mm). In
no case shall the weight be so great as to cause permanent deformation of the sieve
cloth.

5. Continue sieving for a sufficient period and in such manner that; after completion,
not more than 1 weight % of the residue on any individual sieve will pass that sieve
during 1 minute of continuous hand sieving.
6. In case of using mechanical sieve shaker, place the fine aggregate sample in the top
sieve, place lid on top of sieve stack, and agitate for 10 to 15 minutes.

7. Carefully remove the sieves one at a time and weigh each sieve with its retained
aggregate. Calculate the mass of material retained on each sieve deducting the weight
of corresponding sieve. Determine the weight of each size increment by weighing on a
scale or balance to the nearest 0.1% of the total original dry sample weight. The total
weight of the material after sieving should check closely with original weight of sample
placed on the sieves. If the amount differs by more than 0.3% based on the original dry
sample weight, the results should not be used for acceptance purposes.
 DATA SHEET
Experiment Name : Sieve Analysis of Fine & Coarse Aggregates
Experiment Date :
Student’s Name :
Student’s ID :
Year/ Semester :
Section/ Group :
Total weight of Coarse Aggregate: _________________ kg.
Total weight of Fine Aggregate: _________________ kg.
Calculation:
18+96+100
FM of Coarse Aggregates =
100
= 2.14

24+51.51+89.97+98.13+99.88+100
FM of Fine Aggregates=
100
= 4.635

Result:
FM of Coarse Aggregates = 2.14
FM of Fine Aggregates = 4.635
 Report
 Objective/ Objectives
 Introduction
 Reference Standard – (ASTM C136 )
 Scope
 Related Terms- (Aggregates, Classification of aggregates, Sieve sizes, Fineness
Modulus)
 Apparatus
 Procedure- Should be in passive voice
 Data Sheet
 Calculation
 Results
 Graph (in semi-log graph paper)
 Discussion