University of Cebu
School of Engineering
Civil Engineering Laboratory
CE 313B
Construction Materials and Testing
Experiment No.8
Name: Course/Year
Group Date
Title: Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Objective: To determine the grading analysis of fine and coarse aggregates.
Instruments and Components: The apparatus shall consist of the following:
a. Balance: A suitable balance or scale sensitive to within 0.1 per cent of the
weight of the sample to be tested.
b. Sieves: Set of standard sieves with square openings with pan and cover.
c. Drying Oven: An oven provided with temperature.
d. Sieve Shaker:
Diagram:
Theory:
The sieve analysis, commonly known as the gradation test, is a basic essential
test for all aggregate technicians. The sieve analysis determines the gradation (the
distribution of aggregate particles, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine
compliance with design, production control requirements, and verification specifications.
The gradation data may be used to calculate relationships between various aggregate
or aggregate blends, to check compliance with such blends, and to predict trends during
production by plotting gradation curves graphically, to name just a few uses. Used in
conjunction with other tests, the sieve analysis is a very good quality control and quality
acceptance tool.
Sample:
The sample shall be obtained from the materials to be tested by the use of
a sample splitter or by the method of quartering.
a. Fine Aggregate: The sample shall weight, after drying, approximately the
amount indicated in the following table. Materials with at least 95% finer
than the no.10 (2000-micron) sieve is 100 g Materials with at least 90%
finer than the no. 4 (4760-micron) sieve and more than 5% coarser than
no. 10 sieve is 500g
In no case, however, shall the fraction retained on any sieve at the
completion of the sieving operation weigh more than 4 grams per square
inch of the sieving surface. This means that for the usual 8-inch diameter.
Sieve the amount of materials retained shall not be more than 200g. this
can be done in two ways; by the introduction of sieve having larger
openings than in the critical sieves and by the proper selection of the size
of the sample.
b. Coarse Aggregate: Samples of coarse aggregate for sieve analysis shall
weigh after drying, not less than as amount indicated in the following table:
Nominal Maximum Size of Particles, in. Minimum Weight of Sample,
grams
3/8 1000
½ 2500
¾ 5000
1 10000
1½ 15000
2 20000
2½ 25000
3 30000
3½ 35000
c. Mix Fine and Coarse Aggregate: The materials shall be separated into two
sizes on the no. 4 (4760-micron) sieve and each size of sample shall be
prepared.
Procedure:
The following procedures shall be observed:
a. The sample shall be dried to constant weight at a temperature not
exceeding 1100C. (2300F)
b. After the samples have been dried it shall be separated into a series of
sizes using such sieves as are necessary to determine compliance
with the specifications for the material under test. The sieving
operation shall be conducted by means of a sieve hasher. In no case
shall fragments in the sample be turned or manipulated until no more
than 1 per cent by weight of the residue passes any sieve during 1
minute.
c. On that portion of the sample retained on the no. 4 (4760-micron)
sieve, the sieving shall be carried out with a single layer of the
material.
d. The weight of each size shall be determined on a balance or scale
conforming to the requirements being specified.
Tabulated Data and Results:
Recording Result:
The results of the sieve analysis shall be reported as follows:
a. Total percentages passing and retained on each sieve.
b. Percentages retained between consecutive sieves, depending upon
the form of the specifications for the use of the materials under test.
c. Percentages shall be reported to the nearest whole number and shall
be calculated on the basis of weight of the test sample including any
materials finer than the no. 200 (74-micron) sieve.
d. Plot the results on a logarithmic scale graph.
Series of Sieves Mounted on the Sieve Shaker
Sieve Analysis Work Sheet
Project:
Specifications: Quantity represented:
Kind of material: Sand Sample from: Lariosa
Sampled by:
Original source:
Weight Original Sample: Dry Weight (oven): 2450 grams
Dry Weight Washed Sample: Moisture Content:
Fineness Modulus: 6.6137
Weight Weight Spec's
Sieve Percent
Retained Passing Governing Cummulative Retained %
Number Passing
(Grams) (Grams) % Passing
4 700 1730 28.81 71.19 28.81
10 800 930 32.92 38.27 61.73
20 500 430 20.58 17.69 82.31
60 300 130 12.35 5.34 94.66
80 50 80 2.06 3.28 96.72
100 20 60 0.82 2.46 97.54
200 50 10 2.06 0.4 99.6
PAN 10 0 0.41 0 100
Total 2430
Unit Weight ______________________________________________________ lbs/ft3
(Loose) (Rodded)
“Is the aggregate poorly graded, well-graded, or well-gap graded”
Observations and Conclusion:
Documentatioans:
