Civil Engineering Department

CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

Experiment No. II
SIEVE ANALYSIS
1. Objective(s):
The activity aims to introduce the basic principle, significance and procedures for the Sieve
Analysis of Aggregates (Coarse and Fine Aggregates).
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Familiarize with basic procedure for the Sieve Analysis of the Aggregates.
2.2 Determine the particle size distribution of the coarse and fine aggregates.
2.3 Characterize the aggregates according to the predominant grain size.
3. Discussion:
As conformed in the ASTM 136-98a, the grain size characteristics of soils that are predominantly
coarse grained are evaluated by a sieve analysis. A nest of sieves is prepared by staking test sieves
one above the other with the largest opening at the top followed by sieves of successively smaller
openings and a catch pan at the bottom. The maximum size of the aggregates depends on the type of
structure for which concrete is to be used. Most of the time, the aggregates have a uniform gradation.
However, gap-graded aggregates provide better strength characteristics. In gap-grading, the sizes of
aggregates do not decrease uniformly. Certain size segments are left out in order to obtain better
packing and, hence, a more utilization of cement.
4. Resources:
1 Set of Sieves
1 Weighing Scale
1 Scoop or spoon
2 Pans
½ Bag of Coarse Aggregates
½ Bag of Fine Aggregates
5. Procedure:
Preparation of Samples
1. Gather aggregates sample (coarse and fine) weighing at least 1 kg, put it in a pan and then
weigh.
2. Dry the sample to constant weight at a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C; weigh after cooling to room
temperature.
3. Place sample in a container large enough and to permit spilling when water is added.
4. Add water and agitate.
5. Pour wash aggregates over the nested sieves, avoiding decantation of coarse particles, repeat
operation until wash materials are clear, return all the materials retained in the nested sieves.
6. Dry washed sample to constant weight and weigh after cooling at room temperature.
Sieve Analysis
7. Pass the sample through the nested sieves.
8. Weight materials retained on each sieves.
9. Calculate the cumulative percentage passing each sieve on the basis of oven-dry weight of the
original sample.

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
Course: Experiment No.:
Group No.: Section:
Group Members: Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor:

6. Data and Results:

6.1 For Fine Aggregates
Sieve Cumulative
Mass Specification
Size Mass Remarks
Retained (g) % Passing % Retained % Passing
(inch) Passing (g)
3’’ -
2 ½’’ -
2’’ -
1 ½’’ -
1’’ -
¾’’ -
½’’ -
3/8’’ 100
#4 95-100
#8 80-100
#16 50-85
#30 25-60
#50 5-30
#100 0-10
#200 -
Pan -
Mass of Sample :
Mass of Oven-Dry Sample :
Mass of Washed Oven-Dry Sample :
Mass Retained at #200 Sieves :
Moisture Content :
Fineness Modulus* :
*Calculate the fineness modulus, when required, by adding the total percentages of material in the
sample that is coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative percentages retained), and
dividing the sum by 100: 150-μm (No.100), 300-μm (No. 50), 600-μm (No. 30), 1.18-mm (No. 16),
2.36-mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (No. 4), 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.), 19.0-mm (3⁄4-in.), 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.), and larger,
increasing in the ratio of 2 to 1.
6.2 Computation

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
6.1 For Coarse Aggregates
Sieve Cumulative
Mass Specification
Size Mass Remarks
Retained (g) % Passing % Retained % Passing
(inch) Passing (g)
3’’ -
2 ½’’ -
2’’ -
1 ½’’ -
1’’ 100
¾’’ 90-100
½’’ 20-55
3/8’’ 0-15
#4 0-5
#8 -
#16 -
#30 -
#50 -
#100 -
#200 -
Pan -
Mass of Sample :
Mass of Oven-Dry Sample :
Mass of Washed Oven-Dry Sample :
Moisture Content :
Maximum Nominal Size :
6.2 Computation

7. Observation

8. Conclusion:

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 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
9. Assessment:
BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT
CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3
I. Laboratory Skills
Members do not Members occasionally
Manipulative Members always
demonstrate needed demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate needed skills.
skills. skills
Members are unable Members are able to Members are able to set-up
Experimental
to set-up the set-up the materials the material with minimum
Set-up
materials. with supervision. supervision.
Members do not Members occasionally Members always
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
process skills. process skills. process skills.
Members do not Members follow safety
Safety Members follow safety
follow safety precautions most of
Precautions precautions at all times.
precautions. the time.
II. Work Habits
Time
Members do not finish Members finish on Members finish ahead of
Management /
on time with time with incomplete time with complete data
Conduct of
incomplete data. data. and time to revise data.
Experiment
Members have
Members do not know
defined Members are on tasks and
their tasks and have
responsibilities most have defined
no defined
Cooperative and of the time. Group responsibilities at all times.
responsibilities.
Teamwork conflicts are Group conflicts are
Group conflicts have
cooperatively cooperatively managed at
to be settled by the
managed most of the all times.
teacher.
time.
Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly
Messy workplace workplace with
Neatness and workplace at all times
during and after the occasional mess
Orderliness during and after the
experiment. during and after the
experiment.
experiment.
Members require
Ability to do Members require
occasional Members do not need to be
independent supervision by the
supervision by the supervised by the teacher.
work teacher.
teacher.
Other Comments/Observations: Total Score
(𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒)
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = × 100
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10. Reference(s):
ASTM 136-98a “Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates”