What Is Fineness Modulus of Sand ?

• Fineness modulus of sand (fine aggregate) is an index number which

represents the mean size of the particles in sand.
• It is calculated by performing sieve analysis with standard sieves.
• The cumulative percentage retained on each sieve is added and
subtracted by 100 gives the value of fine aggregate.
• Fine aggregate means the aggregate which passes through 4.75mm
sieve.
• To find the fineness modulus of fine aggregate we need sieve sizes of
4.75mm, 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6mm, 0.3mm and 0.15mm.
• Fineness modulus of finer aggregate is lower than fineness modulus of
coarse aggregate.
 DETERMINATION OF FINENESS MODULUS OF
SAND
• To determine the fineness modulus, we need standard sieves, mechanical
sieve shaker (optional), dry oven and digital weight scale.
Sample preparation - Take a sample of fine aggregate in pan and
placed it in dry oven at a temperature of 100 – 110oC. After drying take
the sample and note down its weight.
Test procedure – Fineness Modulus of Sand - Take the sieves and
arrange them in descending order with the largest sieve on top. If
mechanical shaker is using then put the ordered sieves in position and
pour the sample in the top sieve and then close it with sieve plate. Then
switch on the machine and shaking of sieves should be done at least 5
minutes.
WHAT IS FINENESS MODULUS OF
AGGREGATE?
• Fineness modulus is an empirical factor obtained
by adding the cumulative percentages of
aggregate retained on each of the standard sieves
ranging from 80 mm to 150 micron and dividing
this sum by 100.
 WHY TO DETERMINE FINENESS
MODULUS?
Fineness modulus is generally used to get an idea of how coarse or fine
the aggregate is. More fineness modulus value indicates that the
aggregate is coarser and small value of fineness modulus indicates that
the aggregate is finer.
Fineness modulus of different type of sand is as per given below.
Type of Sand Fineness Modulus RangeFine Sand2.2 – 2.6Medium
Sand2.6 – 2.9Coarse Sand2.9 – 3.2
Generally sand having fineness modulus more than 3.2 is not used for
making good concrete.
Fineness modulus can also be used to combine two aggregate to get the
desirable grading.
 HOW TO DETERMINE FINENESS
MODULUS?
Sieve the aggregate using the appropriate sieves (80 mm, 40 mm,
20 mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 micron, 300
micron & 150 micron)
Record the weight of aggregate retained on each sieve.
Calculate the cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each
sieve.
Calculate the cumulative percentage of aggregate retained.
Add the cumulative weight of aggregate retained and divide the
sum by 100. This value is termed as fineness modulus .
So Fineness Modulus = 246/100 = 2.46