STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURE (SOP)
(/SOP-01)

AS PER IS:2386 (Part-1)-1963

METHOD OF TEST
FOR
COARSE AGGREGATE TESTING
1.0 Title:- Sieve Analysis of coarse and fine aggregates
Definition:
Coarse Aggregate:
Aggregates are broadly classified as coarse and fine aggregates based on their
2.0 particle sizes. As per Indian standards, particles retaining on 4.75mm sieves are
considered coarse, and finer particles are classified as fine aggregates. Sieve sizes
recommended by Indian standards are the following:
 Coarse aggregate: Square hole, perforated plate type 80, 63, 50, 40, 31.5, 25, 16,
12.5, 10, 6.3, 4.75mm
3.0 Purpose:
The need to determine the aggregate size properties arise from the fact that the concrete mix
should have least voids for higher strength and durability.
Additionally, the concrete mix should have good workability requiring least work for mixing
and compacting, meanwhile not segregating during transportation or placing. With the
particle size distribution known, it can be compared to the values recommended by Indian
standards and the suitability of aggregates for use can be determined.
 The sieve analysis of coarse aggregate test indicates the size distribution of coarse aggregate
particles in a given coarse aggregate sample.
 The fineness modulus is the indication of the mean size of the particles. The fineness modulus
is used to grade the given aggregate.
 We can calculate relationships between different aggregate or aggregate mixes from the
gradation data to check suitability with such blends and to anticipate trends during
production by plotting gradation curves.
 A change in the fineness modulus value of coarse aggregate indicates a change in the source
material, affecting the workability of concrete.
4.0 Responsibility: Test Engineer
5.0 Apparatus: Sieve, Balance, Tray, Brush
5.1. Sieves 5.2. Balance:

Square hole, perforated plate Fine mesh, wire cloth

80mm, 63mm, 50mm, 40mm, 3.35-mm, 2.36-mm, l.l8 mm, The balance or scale shall be
31.5mm, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm, 600µ, 300µ, 150µ 75µ readable and accurate to 0.1
12.5mm, 10.0mm, 6.3mm, Test Sieves sizes , conforming percent of the weight of the test
4.75mm IS : 460-1962 Specification sample.
Test Sieves sizes , conforming IS
: 460-1962 Specification
5.3. Aggregates G.I Tray, For 5.4. Sieve Cleaning Brushes 5.5. Mechanical sieve
 Laboratory shaker

5.6. Oven: capable of

maintaining uniform
temperature of 110
±10°C

6.0 Sample: As per IS 2386, the weight of the coarse aggregate sample should not be less than
the specified weight given in the following table.
Maximum size present in Minimum weight of sample for
mm testing
63 mm 100 Kg
50 mm 100 Kg
40 mm 50 Kg
25 mm 50 Kg
20 mm 25 Kg
16 mm 25 Kg
12.5 mm 12 Kg
10.0 mm 6 Kg
6.3 mm 3 Kg

7.0 Environmental Condition:-

Temperature: 27 +/- 2 C
RH:
8.0 Test Procedure: Sieve Analysis Coarse Aggregate
8.1. The sample shall be brought to an air-dry condition either by drying at room
temperature or by heating at a temperature of 100” to 110°C.
Sieves are clean before use. Care shall the appropriate be taken to ensure that the
sieves are clean before use
8.2. Take 5 kg of representative dried sample out of 10 kg by the quartering method.
8.3. Arrange the sieve set in such a manner so that the screen size of the opening decreases
with each sieve down to the bottom-most sieve, which has the smallest opening size
screen.
8.4. Nest all the sieves in order of decreasing size of the screen opening from 40mm at the
top, and after that 20mm, 12.5mm, 10mm, and 4.75mm sieve, the pan is fixed to the
bottom and begin agitating and shaking the sample for a sufficient amount of time.
8.5. Placed The weighed sample on the uppermost sieve. The sieve with biggest opening is
kept on top while the sieve with smallest opening is kept at bottom.
Below the sieve of smallest opening, pan is kept in order to collect the remaining
samples which do not conform to the sieve sizes above.
8.6. Close the top sieve with a top cover, and then the whole sieve set is placed into the sieve
shaker and shaken automatically. Sieving is carried out in a sieve shaker for not less
than 10 minutes.
8.7. At the end of sieving, find the mass of coarse aggregate material retained on each sieve,
together with any material cleaned from the mesh, shall be weighed with the help of a
balance of 0.1 g accuracy.
8.8. The final total weights of the retained sample on each sieve should be within 0.3% of the
original weight of the sample taken before starting sieve analysis of coarse aggregate
test.
8.9. Reporting of results:
Percentage passing for single-Sized aggregate of nominal size and percentage passing
for graded aggregate of nominal size shall be as per the following table of IS 383.

8.10. The cumulative percentage passing by weight of the total coarse aggregate sample
through each of the sieves to the nearest whole number; or
8.11. The percentage passing by weight of the total sample through one sieve and retained on
the next smaller sieve to the nearest 0.1%
8.12. Retained (%) =( Weight retained / Weight of Sample taken)x100
8.13. Cumulative Percentage passing = 100 – Cumulative Percentage weight retained
8.14. Fineness Modulus (FM) = {sum (cumulative % retained) + 500} / 100

Example of Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate Test:

Individual Gradation of 20mm Aggregate (Single Size):
Wt. of Sample Taken: 9000 gm

Sieve Size Retained Wt. Retained % Retained % % Passing Limit as per

(mm) (gm) (Col.IIx100/W) Cumulative ([Link]) IS:383

I II III IV V

40 0 0 0 100 100

20 227 2.52 2.52 97.48 85-100

12.5 – – – – –

10 7389 82.10 84.62 15.38 0-20

4.75 1350 15.00 99.62 0.38 0-5

Pan 34
Individual Gradation of 10mm Aggregate (Single Size):
Wt. of Sample Taken: 6000 gm
Sieve Size Retained Retained % Retained % % Passing (100- Limit as per
(mm) Wt. (gm) (Col.IIx100/W) Cumulative [Link]) IS:383

I II III IV V

12.5 0 0 0 100 100

10 474 7.90 7.90 92.10 85-100

4.75 4856 80.93 88.83 11.17 0-20

2.36 637 10.62 99.45 0.55 0-5

Pan 33
9.0 Test Procedure: Sieve Analysis Fine Aggregate
10.0 Definition:
Fine Aggregate:
Aggregates are broadly classified as coarse and fine aggregates based on their particle
sizes. As per Indian standards, particles retaining on 4.75mm sieves are considered
coarse, and finer particles are classified as fine aggregates. Sieve sizes recommended
by Indian standards are the following:
 Fine aggregate is a granular material of size less than 4.75 mm called fine aggregate.
Fine aggregates include the following materials like natural sand, crushed stone
sand, crushed gravel sand etc.
 Natural Sand: Sand resulting from the natural rock disintegration and deposited by
streams or glacial, known as natural sand.
 Crushed Stone Sand: Fine aggregate created by crushing of hard stone, known as
crushed stone sand.
 Fine aggregate: Fine mesh, wire cloth type 3.35, 2.36, 1.18mm, 600, 300, 150,
75micron

11.0 Purpose:
 Sieve analysis for fine aggregate test help to determine the fineness modulus and
grain size distribution of fine aggregates.
 The sieve analysis of fine aggregate indicates the size distribution of fine aggregate
particles in a given fine aggregate sample.
 The fineness modulus is the indication of the mean size of the particles.
 The fineness modulus is used to classify the fine aggregate into four zones, and a
change in the fineness modulus value of fine aggregate indicates a change in the
source of material, which will affect the workability of concrete.
11.1. Take 1 kg of representative sample out of 10 kilograms with the help of the quartering
method.
11.2. Arrange the sieve set in such a manner so that the largest size sieve should be at the
topmost and the smallest one at the bottom (10mm sieve at the top and all other sizes of
sieves are arranged in decreasing manner. i.e., 4.75mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18mm, 600 µm, 300
µm, 150 µm), and below 150µm sieve, a pan is fixed.
11.3. After putting 1kg of the sample into the topmost sieve, close the lid, and then the whole
sieve set is arranged in a sieve shaker.
11.4. Sieve analysis for fine aggregate is carried out by sieving the sample aggregate in a
sieve shaker for not less than l0 minutes.
11.5. At the end of sieving, find the mass of fine aggregate material retained on each sieve.

Example:
Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate Lab Report:
Follow the sieve analysis of coarse aggregate lab report.
Calculations are presented in the observation, and final results are indicated in the tabular
column.

Sieve Retained Retained % Cumulative % of Specified Specified Specified

Size Wt.(gm) (Col.IIx100/W) Retained Passing Limit as Limit as Limit as
(mm) % (100- per per per
[Link]) MORTH MORTH MORTH

I II III IV V Zone-I Zone-II Zone-III

10 0 0 0 100 100 100 100

4.75 24 2.40 2.40 97.60 90-100 90-100 90-100

2.36 56 5.60 8.00 92.00 60-95 75-100 85-100

1.18 136 13.60 21.60 78.40 30-70 55-90 75-100

0.600 272 27.20 48.80 51.20 15-34 35-59 60-79

0.300 365 36.50 85.30 14.70 05-20 8-30 12-40

0.150 134 13.40 98.70 1.30 0-10 0-10 0-10

Pan 13 – – –

Reference IS 2386(Part 1):1963 Methods of Test for Aggregates of Concrete- Particle

Size and Shape. Reaffirmed-Dec 2016

Records:- Test Report