University of Duhok

College of Engineering
Civil department
2nd year, 2017-2018

A Report about

Sieve analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

Prepared by: Dakheel maleko

Test No. : 7
Group name: B3
Testing date: 3/12/2017
Submitting date: 10/12/2017

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Abstract:
Through this test we will explain the gradation of aggregate in order to be
able to decide which aggregate is coarse and which one is fine aggregate,

Reference:
1. ASTM C136-2001
2. BS 812- 103.1: 1985, BS EN 933.2: 1996

Introduction:
Aggregate gradation (sieve analysis): is the distribution of particle sizes
expressed as a percentage of the total dry weight. Gradating is determined
by passing the material through a series of sieves stacked with
progressively smaller openings from top to bottom and weighing the
material retained on each sieve.

Purpose:
1. Determination of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse
aggregates by sieving.
2. Determine the maximum size of aggregate.
3. Determine the fineness modulus (F.M.) of the aggregate.

Materials:

1. Sand (an air dry sample of fine aggregate).

2. Gravel (an air dry sample of coarse aggregate)

Equipment:
1. Sensitive balance,
2. Containers to carry the samples,
3. Oven (if samples are wet, use oven to dry them),
4. Scoop,
5. Mechanical sieve shaker, and
6. Two sets of sieves:

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 a) For fine aggregate use No.(4, 8, 16, 30, 50, 100) or (4.75, 2.36,
1.18, 0.6, 0.3, 0.15)mm, and
b) For coarse aggregate use (1.5” or (37.5mm), 1” or (25 mm), ¾ “ or
(19 mm), ½ “ or (12.5 mm), 3/8” or (9.5mm) and No.4). In
addition to a pan and a cover for each set.

Sketches:

Sand Gravel

Sensitive balance Container

Mechanical sieve shaker Scoop

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Procedures:
1. Prepare an air dry sample of aggregate from one of the two methods
prescribed in test#7, the minimum weight of a sample is depended upon it
is maximum size and as shown in table (1).
2. Arrange the sieves in a decreasing order of size of openings, from top
to bottom, and the pan at bottom, place the sample on the top sieve, then
cover and start sieving using a mechanical shaker for at least 10 minutes.
3. Open the sieves set carefully, weigh the residue on each sieve and pan.
4. Check the total sum of all residues with the original sample weight,
(the difference should not be more than ±1%).
5. Calculate the percentage retained on each sieve, cumulative percentage
retaining and percentage passing.
6. Determine the F.M and average size for fine aggregate and maximum
size for coarse aggregate.
∑ 𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
Fineness modulus (F.M) =
𝟏𝟎𝟎

7. Compare the results (% passing) with the limits given by ASTM, and
then sketch the results.

Notes:
1. The maximum size of an aggregate is determined from its sieve
analysis and is generally designated by the commercial sieve size
next coarser than the largest size on which 15% or more retained.
2. ASTM definitions, in specification for aggregate the smallest sieve
opening through which the entire amount of aggregate is required
to pass is called the maximum size.
3. The maximum size of aggregate that can be used is determined by
the size and shape of concrete member, clear spacing between
reinforcing bars, and clear cover. In general, the maximum size
should not be more than:
• One-fifth of the narrowest dimension between sides of forms,
• One-third the depth of slab,
• Three-fourths of the minimum clear spacing between reinforcing
bars,
• Three-fourths of the clear cover to reinforcement.

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 Table (1) minimum weight of sample of aggregate required for sieving

Maximum size (mm) Minimum sample weight (kg)

63 50
50 35
40 15
28 5
20 2
14 1
10 0.5
6, 5 and 3 0.2
Less than 3 0.1

Table (2) BS, ASTM and BS EN sieve sizes normally used for grading of aggregate

Coarse aggregate fine aggregate

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Table (3) some of the grading requirements for coarse aggregate according to ASTM C 33

Percentage by mass passing sieve

Sieve size Nominal size of graded aggregate
mm 37.5-4.75mm 19-4.75mm 12.5-4.75mm
75 _ _ _
63 _ _ _
50 100 _ _
38.1 95-100 _ _
25 _ 100 _

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19 35-70 90-100 100
12.5 _ _ 90-100
9.5 10-30 20-55 40-70
4.75 0-5 0-10 0-15
2.36 _ 0-5 0-5

Table (4) ASTM Grading requirements for fine aggregate

ASTM C33-03 ASTM No.

100 3/8 in.
95-100 3/16 in.
80-100 8
50-85 16
25-60 30
10-30 50
2-10 100

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Calculations & Results:

Coarse aggregate:
Sieve Weight
Percentage % cumulative % cumulative Specifications
size retained
retained % retained passing limits
mm gm

37.5 0 0 0 100

19 825.5 27.54 27.54 72.46 90-100

13.2 1603.5 53.49 81.02 18.98 _

9.5 466 15.54 96.56 3.44 20-55

4.75 98.5 3.29 99.85 0.15 0-10

Pan 4.5 0.15 100.00 0.00 _

sum 2998

∑ 𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

Fineness modulus (F.M) = = 3.05
𝟏𝟎𝟎

Average size = (13.2mm)

Maximum size = 20mm

Fine aggregate:
% %
Sieve Percentage Specifications
Weight retained gm cumulative cumulative
size mm retained % limits
retained passing
4.75 130.5 13.10 13.10 86.90 95-100
2.36 167.5 16.81 29.90 70.10 80-100
1.18 103.5 10.39 40.29 59.71 50-85
0.6 217 21.78 62.07 37.93 25-60
0.3 226.5 22.73 84.80 15.20 10-30
0.15 107.5 10.79 95.58 4.42 3-10
Pan 44 4.42 100 0 _
sum 996.5

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 ∑ 𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
Fineness modulus (F.M) = = 325.74/100
𝟏𝟎𝟎
=3.25

Average size = (0.6-1.18mm)

Maximum size = 4.75mm

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Graphs:
Coarse aggregate:

100
90
80
70
60
Series1
50
Series2
40
Series3
30
20
10
0
0 9.5 19 28.5 38

➢ Not accept due to specifications

Fine aggregate:

100.00
90.00
80.00
cumulative passing

70.00
60.00
50.00 Series1
40.00 Series2
30.00 Series3
20.00
10.00
0.00
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Sieve size

➢ Not accept due to specifications

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Discussion & Conclusion:

Through this test we distributed two samples of aggregate (coarse and

fine) into different sizes, and then found out the average and maximum
size of each sample first, by determining the fineness modulus of both
coarse and fine aggregate which was 2.9576 and 3.236 respectively.

Also we found the percentage of aggregate that has been passed through
each sieve during shaking, and then compared it with specifications in
order to know either the sample is acceptable or not.

Always, this test must be done for aggregate (especially for coarse
aggregate) before using it for producing concrete, because the maximum
size of aggregate is limited by many factors such as, the thickness of slab,
cover of steel reinforcement and minimum spacing between steel bars.

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