Dr.

Anwar Khitab
Mr. Sabahat Hussain
 The voids between the larger coarse aggregate particles
are filled by smaller particles.
 The voids between the smaller particles are filled by still
smaller particles.
 Finally, the voids between the smallest coarse
aggregate particles are filled by the largest fine
aggregate particles.
 In turn, the voids between the largest fine aggregate
particles are filled by smaller fine aggregate particles, the
voids between the smaller fine aggregate particles by still
smaller particles.
 Finally, the voids between the finest grains are filled with
cement.
 Thus a very compact system comes into being.
 Uniform size aggregates
1. Friction at few points of contact
2. Poor interlocking
3. High percentage of voids
Uniform size aggregates
 Well-graded aggregates
1. Friction at many points of contact
2. Excellent interlocking
3. Very few voids
Well-graded aggregates
A proper grading of aggregates produces
dense concrete and needs less quantity of fine
aggregates and cement paste.
Coarse and fine aggregates should be well
graded to produce quality concrete.
Objective
To determine the particle size distribution of the
given aggregate by sieve analysis
Apparatus
Set of ASTM sieves
Sensitive balance
Sieve shaker
Bowl to store materials of different sizes
Materials required
Fine aggregates or Sand
Coarse aggregates or Crush
Formula used
Cumulative percentage weight retained
Fineness Modulus 
100
Precautions
Cleaned sieves should be arranged in proper
decreasing order
Test sample should be free from moisture
Weigh accurately the given sample of aggregates
 Procedure
1. Weigh accurately the given air-dried sample of aggregates
2. Place the weighted sample in the top most sieve in the sieve shaker, arranged in
the order of decreasing size.
3. Screw tightly the sieves on the sieve shaker.
4. Operate the shaker for 5 minutes.
5. Stop the shaker by switching off.
6. Weigh the material retained on each sieve on the balance and calculate the
cumulative weight retained on each sieve.
7. Obtain cumulative percentage weight retained on each sieve.
8. Add all these percentages and divide the total by 100. The resulting figure is the
fineness modulus of the given aggregates.
 Observations
1. Date of experiment
2. Sample No.
3. Type of the aggregate
4. Weight of aggregate
Graph
Plot a graph for the study of percentage passing
with sieve size.
Result
Fineness modulus of fine aggregates
Particle size distribution curve
Nominal maximum size of coarse aggregates
 Sieve size Mass Individual % Total % Total %
retained, g retained retained passing
10mm (3/8in.) 100
4.75mm (No.4) 95-100
2.36mm (No.8) 80-100
1.18mm(No.16) 50-85
600mm(No.30) 25-60
300mm(No.50) 10-30
150mm(No.100) 2-10
75mm(No.200) 0-3
Pan
Total
 Sieve size Mass
retained, g
4.75mm (No.4)
2.36mm (No.8)
1.18mm(No.16)
600mm(No.30)
300mm(No.50)
150mm(No.100)
Sum
Fineness modulus =Sum/100
Fineness modulus of fine aggregates
should have a typical range 2.3 to 3.1
Fineness Modulus Designation
2.3-2.59 Fine Sand
2.6-2.89 Medium Sand
2.9-3.1 Coarse Sand
 Sieve size Mass Individual % Total % Total %
retained, g retained retained passing
25.0mm (1 in.) 100
19.0mm (3/4in.) 90-100
12.5mm(1/2in.) -
9.5mm(3/8in.) 20-55
4.75mm(No.4) 0-10
2.36mm(No.8) 0-5
Pan
Total