EXPERIMENT NO.
Sieve Analysis of Aggregates
Reference Standard:
ASTM C 136-84a
AASHTO T27-93
Introduction
Sieving consists of shaking a sample through a stack of sieves arranged in
progressively decreasing sizes. The mass retained on each sieve is determined
and the analysis is made to produce a gradation curve that describes the particle-
size distribution in the sample.
Suitable gradation of an aggregate in a concrete mix is desirable in order
to secure workability of the mixture and economy in the use of cement.
Gradation or the distribution of the particle size can be determined by plotting
the graph of the percent finer. The range of amounts retained on the sieves may
indicate well-graded, uniform-graded, or gap-graded samples. For asphalt
concrete, suitable gradation does not only influence the workability of the
mixture and economy in the use of the asphalt, but will also affect its strength
and its important properties.
Objectives:
1. To perform and learn the procedure for sieve analysis/ aggregate
gradation.
2. To understand the importance of aggregate gradation to concrete and
asphalt mixes.
3. To determine particle size distribution of mass samples of fine and coarse
aggregates.
Apparatus/ Materials:
Set of sieves Container
Mechanical shaker (optional) Weighing balance
Procedure:
1. Assemble the sieves in the order presented in the Table 1.
2. Obtain and prepare a representative sample according to the sample
quantities prescribed in Table 2.
3. Dry the sample to a constant mass at a controlled temperature.
4. Place the weighed aggregate (one part at a time) on the top of the sieves
stack and cover the lid. Properly secure the sieves in the mechanical
shaker and turn on the shaker for five minutes. A mechanical shaker is
recommended if the sample weight is greater than or equal to 20 kg. In
case of the absence of mechanical shaker, shake the stack of sieves with
your hands continuously at the same time.
5. Record the weights of the materials retained on each of the sieves,
including the weight retained on the pan. Use a weighing balance accurate
to 0.1 g for fine aggregates and accurate to 0.05 g for coarse aggregates. If
the sums of these weights are not within 1 percent of the original sample
weight, the procedure should be repeated. Otherwise, use the sum of the
weight retained to calculate the percentage on each sieve.
6. Continue sieving until not greater than 1.0 mas percent of the residue on
any single sieve will pass the sieve during a 1.0 minute of continuous
hand shaking.
7. Compute the cumulative percent retained and the percent of weights
passing each sieve.
8. Plot the gradation curves for the coarse and fine aggregates form the
experiment.
Table 1
Sieve Sizes
US Standard Sieve Sizes Clear Opening (mm)
3” 75.00
2” 50.00
1 37.50
1 ”
2
1” 25.00
3 19.00
”
4
1 12.50
”
2
3 9.50
”
8
No. 4 4.75
No. 8 2.36
No. 10 2.00
Source: Marotta & Herubin (1997)
Table 2
Minimum Sample Sizes or Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregates
Particle Size Minimum Sample Size (kg)
3” 100
1
2 ” 60
2
2” 35
1
1 ” 15
2
1 10
3
” 3
4
1
” 2
2
3
” 1
8
Source: Marotta & Herubin (1997)
Drawing:
Observations:
1
”
2
Coarse aggregate:______________________
8960 g
Initial Weight: _________________________
Sieve No. Weight of Empty Weight of Sieve Weight Retained
Sieve with Aggregate (grams)
(grams) (grams)
2½ 535 0 0
2 535 985 450
1½ 555 920 365
1 550 1305 755
¾ 555 1300 745
½ 550 2350 1800
3/8 530 2100 1570
No. 4 510 3340 2830
No. 8 475 3760 3285
No. 10 480 1235 755
Pan 355 20810 20455
Data Analysis:
1. Percentage retained on each sieve:
Massratained on theindividual sieve
% retained = x 100 %
Total mass of the sample
2. Percentage passing ( finer):
Total mass−Cumulative mass retained
% passing = x 100 %
Total mass of the sample
3. Coefficient of Uniformity, Cu:
D60
Cu =
D10
Where:
Cu= coefficient of uniformity
D60= particle size @ 60% finer
D10= particle size @ 10% finer
Calculations:
Total weight= 8960 g
Siev Wt. of Wt. of Wt. Cumulative Wt. Cumulativ %
e Empt Sieve Retained Retained e% Passin
No. y with Retained g
Sieve Aggregate
s
2 535 0 0 0 0 100
1/2
2 535 985 985– 0+450=450 1.363 98.63
535=450 7
1½ 555 920 920– 450+365= 815 2.469 97.53
555=365 1
1 550 1305 1305– 815+755=1570 4.756 95.24
550=755 4
¾ 555 1300 1300– 1570+745=2315 7.013 92.98
555=745 7
½ 550 2350 2350– 2315+1800=4115 12.466 87.53
550=1800 4
3/8 530 2100 2100– 4115+1570=5685 17.222 82.77
530=1570 8
No. 510 3340 3340– 5685+2830=8515 25.795 74.20
4 510=2830 5
No. 475 3760 3760– 8515+3285=11800 35.747 64.25
8 475=3285 3
No. 480 1235 1235– 11800+755=12555 38.034 61.96
10 480=755 6
Pan 355 20810 20810– 12555+20455=330 100 0
355=2045 10
5
Results:
Total weight = 8960 g
Sieve No. Wt. Cumulative Cumulative % Passing
Retained Wt. %
Retained Retained
2 1/2 0 0 0 100
2 450 450 1.363 98.637
1½ 365 815 2.469 97.531
1 755 1570 4.756 95.244
¾ 745 2315 7.013 92.987
½ 1800 4115 12.466 87.534
3/8 1570 5685 17.222 82.778
No. 4 2830 8515 25.795 74.205
No. 8 3285 11800 35.747 64.253
No. 10 755 12555 38.034 61.966
Pan 20455 33010 100 0
Gradation Curve
Discussion of Results:
In this experiment, the river mix was sieved in order to determine
the fineness modulus and observe the gradation curve. Particle size distribution
was obtained from sand to boulders. Sieves were shaken by a machine so that
the nominal size of the sample will be determined.
Conclusions:
It is important to determine the gradation or the distribution of
aggregate particles by size, within a given sample in order to determine the
concrete production requirements and the design of the concrete mix. You have
to determine also the proportion of all in aggregates within the sample to be
used on concrete for it may affect the strength of your concrete, so it is really
necessary to do sieve analysis continually.
Post-lab Questions:
1. Using the given data below plot the gradation curve and check against
ASTM requirements. Also, identify the gradation of the sample
described.
Sample 1a
Sieve No. Weight Retained (grams)
4 12
8 70
16 85
30 96
50 120
100 100
Pan 10
Sample 1b
Sieve No. (in) Weight Retained (grams)
3 500
2 860
1 1/2 1240
3/8 980
50 600
Pan 85
2. Determine the coefficient of curvature for samples 1a and 1b above.
Infer from the results of your calculations.
Calculations:
1.
Sample 1a:
Weight Cumulative Cumulative %
Sieve % Passing
Retained Weight Retained Retained
no.
(grams)
4 12 2.434 2.434 97.566
8 70 14.1988 16.6328 83.3672
16 85 17.2414 33.8742 66.1258
30 96 19.4726 53.3468 46.6532
50 120 24.3408 77.6876 22.3124
100 100 20.284 97.9716 2.0284
Pan 10 2.0284 100 0
Sample 1b:
Weight Cumulative Cumulative %
Sieve % Passing
Retained Weight Retained Retained
no.
(grams)
3 500 11.7233 11.7233 88.2767
2 860 20.1641 31.8874 68.1126
1 1/2 1240 29.0739 60.9613 39.0387
3/4 980 22.9777 83.939 16.061
3/8 600 14.0680 98.007 1.993
Pan 85 1.993 100 0
2.
1a:
D60 0.93
Cu = = =4.8947
D10 0.19
1b:
D60 50
Cu = = =2.94
D10 17
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