EXPERIMENT NO.

5
SIEVE ANALYSIS OF AGGREGATES

OBJECTIVES
To determine the grade of aggregates through ASTM C136

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPLES
Sieve analysis commonly known as the Gradation Test consists of
determining the particle size distribution of fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and
mixtures of fine and coarse aggregates. This is accomplished by pouring an
aggregate sample through a series of decreasing size sieves and weighing the
amount of material retained on each sleeve.
The size of an aggregate sieve is designated by the number of meshes to the
linear inch in that sieve. The higher the number, the finer the sieve. Any material
retained on the No. 4 sieve can be considered either coarse or fine. Aggregates
larger than No. 4 are all coarse; those smaller are all fines. No. 4 aggregates are the
dividing point. The finest coarse-aggregate sieve is the same No 4 used as the
coarsest fine-aggregate sieve. With this exception, a coarse-aggregate sieve is
designated by the size of one of its openings. The sieves commonly used are 1
inches, inch, inch, 3/8 inch, and No. 4. Any material that passes through the No.
200 sieve is too fine to be used in making concrete.

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

PROCEDURES (FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATES)

Tick each step if it has been performed
____1.1 Dry the aggregate sample at a temperature of 105 +/- 5 C
____1.2 Weigh 1000 grams of aggregate sample.
____1.3 Put the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening.
Note: Start from the top part.
Sieves Nos. 3/8, 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, 100, 200 for fine aggregates
Sieves Nos. 4, 3/8, , , 1 1 , 2, 2 , 3, 3 , and 6 for coarse
aggregates
____1.4 Put the aggregate sample on top of the sieve pan.
____1.5 Perform sieving operation using the rotary sieve shaker.
Note: Ask for assistance to laboratory personnel.
____1.6 Continue the sieving until not more than 1 % by weight of the residue
passes any sieve during 1 minute.
____1.7 Remove the sieves from the rotary sieve shaker.
____1.8 Determine the weight of the residue contained on each sieve.
____1.9 Calculate the percentage passing on the basis of the total weight of the
sample.
____1.10 Calculate and determine the fineness modulus.

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Calculations:
moisture content=

wt . of wet aggregateswt . of oven dried aggregates

x 100
wt . of even dried aggregates

cumulative weight retained= of weigh retained on all coarser sieves

cumulative weight passing=total weight retainedcumulative weight retained

cumulative percent retained=

cumulative weight retained

x 100
total weight retained

cumulative percent passing=100 cumulative percent retained

fineness modulus=

of cum. retained on sieves Nos . 8 , 4,8,16,40,50,100

100

Standards Limitations (for fine aggregates)

Sieve Percent Passing Specification
Percent Passing by Weight
Sieve No.
Requirement
3/8 = 0.375
100
4 = 0.187
95-100
8 = 0.0937
80-100
16 = 0.0469
50-85
30
25-60
50
10-30
100
2-10
Note: Table based on ASTM C-136

b. Fineness modulus should neighter exceed 3.1 nor less than 2.3
3

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Standards
Limitations
(for coarse
aggregates)
Note:
Table Based
on ASTM C136
b. Value of fineness modulus should remain between 5.5 and 7.5

APPARATUS
1. Set of standard sieves nos. 3/8, 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, 100, 200 for
fine aggregates
2. Set of standard sieves nos. 4, 3/8, , , 1, 1 , 2, 2 , 3, 3
3.
4.
5.
6.

, and 6 for coarse aggregates

Sieve pan
Sieve cover
Oven with temperature control
Balance and weights

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

SET UP OF APPARATUS

1 Aggregates

4 Sieve Pan

2 Pan Lock

5 Column

3 Pan Cover

6 Sieve Shaker

Fig. 5-1 Sieve Analysis

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Engineering Materials and Testing Laboratory

Experiment No. 5
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Preliminary Data Sheet
Name: Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Date: May, 26, 2015

Section: B3

Group No.: 2

A.) Fine Aggregates

Original weight:1150 g
Over dry weight: 1000 g

Moisture content: 15
Fineness modulus: 1

Sieve
No.

Weight
retained

Weight
passing

Cumulative
retained

Cumulative
passing

3/8
4
8
16
30
50
100
200
WASH
PAN
TOTAL

None
115
72
126
247
242
120
14

None
824
752
626
379
137
17
3

12.2471
7.6677
13.4185
26.3046
25.7721
12.7796
1.4909

87.7529
80.0852
66.6667
40.3621
14.59
1.8104
0.3195

3
939

0.3195
100

Assisted by:
Vergel S. Rodriguez
ME-UTM Engineer

Remarks

Fail

45-80

Pass

10-30
2-10

Pass
Fail

Approved by:
Engr. F. Galera
Instructor

2013103308

%
Passing
specs
100
95-100

Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Engineering Materials and Testing Laboratory

Experiment No. 5
Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Preliminary Data Sheet
Name: Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

Date: May, 26, 2015

Section: B3

Group No.: 2

B.) Coarse Aggregates

Original weight: 1031 g
Over dry weight: 100000 g

Moisture content: 3.1

Fineness modulus: 1

Sieve
No.

Weight
retained

Weight
passing

Cumulative
retained

Cumulative
passing

3/8
4
8
16
30
50
100
200
WASH
PAN
TOTAL

348
553
61
7
2
3
5

646
93
32
25
23
20
15

35.0101
55.6338
6.1368
0.7042
0.2012
0.3018
0.503

64.9899
9.3561
3.2193
2.5151
2.3139
2.0121
1.5091

15
994

1.5091
100

Assisted by:
Vergel S. Rodriguez
ME-UTM Engineer

Remarks
Fail
Fail

45-80

Fail

10-30
2-10

Fail
Fail

Approved by:
Engr. F. Galera
Instructor

2013103308

%
Passing
specs
100
95-100

Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

QUESTIONS
1. What are the main purposes of Sieve Analysis of Aggregates?

2. Discuss Fineness of Modulus.

3. What are the difference between coarse aggregates coming from processing
plants and coarse aggregates obtained underwater in rivers?

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4. What is Gradiation?

5. What is Effective Size?

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.

SAMPLE COMPUTATION (use another sheet of paper; engineering

lettering)

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DISCUSSION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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CONCLUSION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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RECOMMENDATION (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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REFERENCES (use another sheet of paper; engineering lettering)

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Festin, Daniel Joshua N.