Problem # 1

Using the following sieve analysis results obtained for local sand, give your comments with
1 regard to FM and ASTM grading limits.

Sieve No. Wt. retained (gm) n= 0

4 0
8 0
16 0
30 (125 + n*)
50 (327 + n)
100 (32 + n)
Pan (16 + n)

Percent Cumulativ Cumulativ

retained e percent e percent
Sieve Number Weight retained (gm) weight retained passing
4 0 0 0 100
8 0 0 0 100
16 0 0 0 100
30 125 25 25 75
50 327 65.4 90.4 9.6
100 32 6.4 96.8 3.2
PAN 16 3.2 - 0
TOTAL 500 100 212.2 387.8

Fineness modulus= 212.2/100 2.122

ASTM C 33 has specified a limit for FM as between 2.3 to 3.1. Since the local sand has a FM of 2.12, it is
not acceptable.
 our results
No. 4 100 95 100

No. 8 100 80 100

No. 16 100 50 85
No. 30 75 25 60
No. 50 9.6 5 30
No. 100 3.2 0 10

120
upper limit

100 lower limit

local sand local sand

80
mass percent passing

60
Lower Limit
of ASTM
40
Upper Limit
of ASTM
20

0
No. 4 No. 8 No. 16 No. 30 No. 50 No. 100
Sieve Size

The ASTM grading limits are given in Table 5-3. Pg. 83 in text book. The above plot shows the upper limit and lower
limit of the ASTM limits and compare it with the results of our local sand. The plot clearly shows the local sand is not
within the specified limits of ASTM C 33.
 Problem # 2
2.Using the following sieve analysis results obtained for local Riyadh Road coarse aggregate, determine: maximum
aggregate size; nominal maximum aggregate size; and ASTM size number

Sieve size (in.) Wt. retained (gm)

1 0 n= 0
¾ (110 +2 n*)
½ (2809 + 2n)
3/8 (1200 + 2n)
3/16 (7686 + 2n)
3/32 (94 + 2n)
Pan (19 + 2n)

Percent Cumulative Cumulative

retained percent percent
Sieve Size (inch) Weight retained (gm) weight retained passing
1 0 0 0 100
¾ 110 0.92297 0.9229737 99.08
½ 2809 23.5694 24.492364 75.507636
3/8 1200 10.07 34.561168 65.438832
3/16 7686 64.4907 99.051854 0.9481457
3/32 94 0.78872 99.840577 0.1594227
PAN 19 0.15942 - 0
TOTAL 11918 100 258.86894 341.13106

Fineness modulus= 258.87/100 2.5887

Maximum aggregate size is for that sieve at which the percent retained of aggregate is the least. In our case,
sieve No. 1 retains zero percent of aggregate, hence fore; we assume that the maximum aggregate size is 1 in.
Nominal maximum aggregate size is that aggregate size where the retained percent is between 0-10% and
nearest to the maximum size of aggregate. In our case, the nominal maximum aggregate size is ¾ in. as the
percent retained is 0.92 and is nearest to size 1 in. which was the maximum aggregate size.

The ASTM size number can be obtained by using the table: 5-5. Pg. 84 from text. Our aggregate nominal size
is ¾ in. so we need to check from the table which size number yields the percentage passing as per our results
with reference to nominal size of ¾ in. We see that size number corresponds to nominal size of ¾ in. and also
percentage passing of aggregate is more or less in the range of our results. The best suitable size number from
these options is No. 67. Hence fore; we can say ASTM size number is 67.
 our results
1 in. 100 100 100
3/4 in. 99.08 90 100
1/2 in. 75.5076 45 85
3/8 in. 65.4388 25 55
3/16 in. 0.94815 0 10
3/32 in. 0.15942 0 5
PAN 0 0 0

120
upper limit

100 lower limit

our aggregate
80
mass percent passing

60 Upper Limit of ASTM

size 6

40 Lower Limit of ASTM

size 6
Our Aggregate
20

0
1 in. 3/4 in. 1/2 in. 3/8 in. 3/16 in. 3/32 in. PAN
Sieve Size (inch)

Given above is a plot of comparison between our results and the ASTM size No. 67 upper and lower limit and
the plot clearly shows that the results of our aggregate is between this upper and lower limit of this ASTM size
Problem # 3
3. A sample of fine aggregate with a specific gravity of 2.6 has a bulk
density of (1700 +10 n) kg/m3. Find the void content.
n= 0

Gven γb= 1700 Kg/m3

ρ= 2.6

Void content = Volume of voids / Volume of solids

= 1 – (γb / ρ *1000 Kg/m3)
γb / ρ *1000 = 0.653846154

void content = 1 – (γb / ρ *1000 Kg/m3)

Void content = 0.346153846

Therefore, void content 34.615 %
 Problem # 4
4. Using the given data pertaining to a sand sample, calculate: (i) absorption capacity, (ii) effective absorption, and (iv) surface
moisture:

*
mass of sand (oven-dry) = (480 + n ) g
mass of sand (air-dry) = (485 + n) g
mass of sand (SSD) = (490 + n) g
mass of sand (wet) = (500 + n) g

How much water to be added or reduced if the sand is to be used in (i) air-dried condition, and (ii) wet condition?

n= 0
mass of sand (oven-dry, W OD = 480 g
mass of sand (air-dry), W AD = 485 g
mass of sand (SSD),W SSD = 490 g
mass of sand (wet), W wet = 500 g

Absorption capacity AC = [(WSSD-WOD)/WOD]*100

= [(490-480)/480]*100
= 2.08333333 %

Effective Absorption EA= [(WSSD-WAD)/WSSD]*100

= [(490-485)/490]*100
= 1.02040816 %
Surface moisture SM = [(Wwet-WSSD)/WSSD]*100
= [(500-490)/490]*100
= 2.04081633 %

Amount of water to be added when used in air-dried condition

Wadd = SM * Wagg = SM * WAD
= (2.041*485)/100
= 9.89795918 gm

Amount of water to be reduced when used in wet condition

Wreduced = SM * Wwet
= (2.041*500)/100
= 10.2040816 gm