Astm C136-06

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Designation: C136 − 06
StandardTest Method for

Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C136; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle Sieves
size distribution of fine and coarse aggregates by sieving. 2.2 AASHTO Standard:
AASHTO No. T 27 Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
1.2 Some specifications for aggregates which reference this Aggregates3
test method contain grading requirements including both
coarse and fine fractions. Instructions are included for sieve 3. Terminology
analysis of such aggregates.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard, refer to Terminology C125.
standard. The values in parentheses are provided for informa-
tion purposes only. Specification E11 designates the size of 4. Summary of Test Method
sieve frames with inch units as standard, but in this test method 4.1 A sample of dry aggregate of known mass is separated
the frame size is designated in SI units exactly equivalent to the through a series of sieves of progressively smaller openings for
inch units. determination of particle size distribution.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5.1 This test method is used primarily to determine the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- grading of materials proposed for use as aggregates or being
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. used as aggregates. The results are used to determine compli-
ance of the particle size distribution with applicable specifica-
2. Referenced Documents
tion requirements and to provide necessary data for control of
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 the production of various aggregate products and mixtures
C117 Test Method for Materials Finer than 75-µm (No. 200) containing aggregates. The data may also be useful in devel-
Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing oping relationships concerning porosity and packing.
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Ag-
5.2 Accurate determination of material finer than the 75-µm
gregates
(No. 200) sieve cannot be achieved by use of this test method
C637 Specification for Aggregates for Radiation-Shielding
alone. Test Method C117 for material finer than 75-µm sieve by
Concrete
washing should be employed.
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
for Test Methods for Construction Materials 5.3 Refer to methods of sampling and testing in Specifica-
C702 Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing tion C637 for heavyweight aggregates.
Size
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates 6. Apparatus
6.1 Balances—Balances or scales used in testing fine and
1
coarse aggregate shall have readability and accuracy as fol-
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on
Concrete and Concrete Aggregatesand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee lows:
C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates. 6.1.1 For fine aggregate, readable to 0.1 g and accurate to
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2006. Published March 2006. Originally 0.1 g or 0.1 % of the test load, whichever is greater, at any
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C136 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/C0136-06.
point within the range of use.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Association of State Highway and Transportation
the ASTM website. Officials, 444 North Capitol St. N.W., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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C136 − 06
6.1.2 For coarse aggregate, or mixtures of fine and coarse 100 (4) 150 (330)
aggregate, readable and accurate to 0.5 g or 0.1 % of the test 125 (5) 300 (660)
load, whichever is greater, at any point within the range of use. 7.5 Coarse and Fine Aggregate Mixtures—The size of the
6.2 Sieves—The sieve cloth shall be mounted on substantial test sample of coarse and fine aggregate mixtures shall be the
frames constructed in a manner that will prevent loss of same as for coarse aggregate in 7.4.
material during sieving. The sieve cloth and standard sieve 7.6 Samples of Large Size Coarse Aggregate—The size of
frames shall conform to the requirements of Specification E11. sample required for aggregate with 50-mm nominal maximum
Nonstandard sieve frames shall conform to the requirements of size or larger is such as to preclude convenient sample
Specification E11 as applicable. reduction and testing as a unit except with large mechanical
NOTE 1—It is recommended that sieves mounted in frames larger than splitters and sieve shakers. As an option when such equipment
standard 203.2-mm (8 in.) diameter be used for testing coarse aggregate to is not available, instead of combining and mixing sample
reduce the possibility of overloading the sieves. See 8.3. increments and then reducing the field sample to testing size,
6.3 Mechanical Sieve Shaker—A mechanical sieving conduct the sieve analysis on a number of approximately equal
device, if used, shall create motion of the sieves to cause the sample increments such that the total mass tested conforms to
particles to bounce, tumble, or otherwise turn so as to present the requirement of 7.4.
different orientations to the sieving surface. The sieving action 7.7 In the event that the amount of material finer than the
shall be such that the criterion for adequacy of sieving 75-µm (No. 200) sieve is to be determined by Test Method
described in 8.4 is met in a reasonable time period. C117, proceed as follows:
NOTE 2—Use of a mechanical sieve shaker is recommended when the 7.7.1 For aggregates with a nominal maximum size of 12.5
size of the sample is 20 kg or greater, and may be used for smaller mm (1/2 in.) or less, use the same test sample for testing by
samples, including fine aggregate. Excessive time (more than approxi- Test Method C117 and this test method. First test the sample in
mately 10 min) to achieve adequate sieving may result in degradation of accordance with Test Method C117 through the final drying
the sample. The same mechanical sieve shaker may not be practical for all
sizes of samples, since the large sieving area needed for practical sieving
operation, then dry sieve the sample as stipulated in 8.2 – 8.7
of a large nominal size coarse aggregate very likely could result in loss of of this test method.
a portion of the sample if used for a small sample of coarse aggregate or 7.7.2 For aggregates with a nominal maximum size greater
fine aggregate. than 12.5 mm (1⁄2 in.), use a single test sample as described in
6.4 Oven—An oven of appropriate size capable of maintain- 7.7.1, or optionally use separate test samples for Test Method
ing a uniform temperature of 110 6 5 °C (230 6 9 °F). C117 and this test method.
7.7.3 Where the specifications require determination of the
7. Sampling total amount of material finer than the 75-µm sieve by washing
7.1 Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice D75. and dry sieving, use the procedure described in 7.7.1.
The size of the field sample shall be the quantity shown in
Practice D75 or four times the quantity required in 7.4 and 7.5 8. Procedure
(except as modified in 7.6), whichever is greater. 8.1 Dry the sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110
7.2 Thoroughly mix the sample and reduce it to an amount 6 5 °C (230 6 9 °F).
suitable for testing using the applicable procedures described in
NOTE 4—For control purposes, particularly where rapid results are
Practice C702. The sample for test shall be approximately the desired, it is generally not necessary to dry coarse aggregate for the sieve
quantity desired when dry and shall be the end result of the analysis test. The results are little affected by the moisture content unless:
reduction. Reduction to an exact predetermined quantity shall (1) the nominal maximum size is smaller than about 12.5 mm (1⁄2 in.); (2)
not be permitted. the coarse aggregate contains appreciable material finer than 4.75 mm
(No. 4); or (3) the coarse aggregate is highly absorptive (a lightweight
NOTE 3—Where sieve analysis, including determination of material aggregate, for example). Also, samples may be dried at the higher
finer than the 75-µm sieve, is the only testing proposed, the size of the temperatures associated with the use of hot plates without affecting
sample may be reduced in the field to avoid shipping excessive quantities results, provided steam escapes without generating pressures sufficient to
of extra material to the laboratory. fracture the particles, and temperatures are not so great as to cause
chemical breakdown of the aggregate.
7.3 Fine Aggregate—The size of the test sample, after
drying, shall be 300 g minimum. 8.2 Select sieves with suitable openings to furnish the
information required by the specifications covering the mate-
7.4 Coarse Aggregate—The size of the test sample of coarse
rial to be tested. Use additional sieves as desired or necessary
aggregate shall conform with the following:
to provide other information, such as fineness modulus, or to
Nominal Maximum Size, Test Sample Size,
Square Openings, mm (in.) min, kg (lb)
regulate the amount of material on a sieve. Nest the sieves in
9.5 (3⁄8) 1 (2) order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and
12.5 (1⁄2) 2 (4) place the sample on the top sieve. Agitate the sieves by hand or
19.0 (3⁄4) 5 (11)
25.0 (1) 10 (22)
by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period, established by
37.5 (11⁄2) 15 (33) trial or checked by measurement on the actual test sample, to
50 (2) 20 (44) meet the criterion for adequacy or sieving described in 8.4.
63 (21⁄2) 35 (77)
75 (3) 60 (130) 8.3 Limit the quantity of material on a given sieve so that all
90 (31⁄2) 100 (220) particles have opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of
2
C136 − 06
times during the sieving operation. For sieves with openings per minute, turn the sieve about one sixth of a revolution at
smaller than 4.75-mm (No. 4), the quantity retained on any intervals of about 25 strokes. In determining sufficiency of
sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not sieving for sizes larger than the 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve, limit
exceed 7 kg/m2 of sieving surface area (Note 5). For sieves the material on the sieve to a single layer of particles. If the size
with openings 4.75 mm (No. 4) and larger, the quantity of the mounted testing sieves makes the described sieving
retained in kg shall not exceed the product of 2.5 × (sieve motion impractical, use 203-mm (8 in.) diameter sieves to
opening, mm × (effective sieving area, m2)). This quantity is verify the sufficiency of sieving.
shown in Table 1 for five sieve-frame dimensions in common
8.5 In the case of coarse and fine aggregate mixtures, refer
use. In no case shall the quantity retained be so great as to
to 8.3.1 to prevent overloading of individual sieves.
cause permanent deformation of the sieve cloth.
8.3.1 Prevent an overload of material on an individual sieve 8.5.1 Optionally, reduce the portion finer than the 4.75-mm
by one of the following methods: (No. 4) sieve using a mechanical splitter according to Practice
8.3.1.1 Insert an additional sieve with opening size interme- C702. If this procedure is followed, compute the mass of each
diate between the sieve that may be overloaded and the sieve size increment of the original sample as follows:
immediately above that sieve in the original set of sieves. W1
8.3.1.2 Split the sample into two or more portions, sieving A5 3B (1)
W2
each portion individually. Combine the masses of the several
where:
portions retained on a specific sieve before calculating the
percentage of the sample on the sieve. A = mass of size increment on total sample basis,
8.3.1.3 Use sieves having a larger frame size and providing W1 = mass of fraction finer than 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve in
greater sieving area. total sample,
W 2 = mass of reduced portion of material finer than
NOTE 5—The 7 kg/m2 amounts to 200 g for the usual 203.2-mm (8-in.) 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve actually sieved, and
diameter sieve (with effective sieving surface diameter of 190.5 mm (7.5 B = mass of size increment in reduced portion sieved.
in.)).
8.4 Continue sieving for a sufficient period and in such 8.6 Unless a mechanical sieve shaker is used, hand sieve
manner that, after completion, not more than 1 % by mass of particles larger than 75 mm (3 in.) by determining the smallest
the material retained on any individual sieve will pass that sieve opening through which each particle will pass. Start the
sieve during 1 min of continuous hand sieving performed as test on the smallest sieve to be used. Rotate the particles, if
follows: Hold the individual sieve, provided with a snug-fitting necessary, in order to determine whether they will pass through
pan and cover, in a slightly inclined position in one hand. a particular opening; however, do not force particles to pass
Strike the side of the sieve sharply and with an upward motion through an opening.
against the heel of the other hand at the rate of about 150 times 8.7 Determine the mass of each size increment on a scale or
balance conforming to the requirements specified in 5.1 to the
TABLE 1 Maximum Allowable Quantity of Material Retained on a nearest 0.1 % of the total original dry sample mass. The total
Sieve, kg mass of the material after sieving should check closely with
Nominal Dimensions of SieveA original mass of sample placed on the sieves. If the amounts
Sieve 203.2-mm
254-mm diaB
304.8-mm 350 by 372 by 580 differ by more than 0.3 %, based on the original dry sample
Opening diaB diaB 350 mm mm mass, the results should not be used for acceptance purposes.
Size, mm Sieving Area, m2
0.0285 0.0457 0.0670 0.1225 0.2158 8.8 If the sample has previously been tested by Test Method
125 C C C C
67.4 C117, add the mass finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve
100 C C C
30.6 53.9 determined by that test method to the mass passing the 75-µm
C C
90 15.1 27.6 48.5 (No. 200) sieve by dry sieving of the same sample in this test
C
75 8.6 12.6 23.0 40.5
63 C
7.2 10.6 19.3 34.0 method.
50 3.6 5.7 8.4 15.3 27.0
37.5 2.7 4.3 6.3 11.5 20.2 9. Calculation
25.0 1.8 2.9 4.2 7.7 13.5
19.0 1.4 2.2 3.2 5.8 10.2 9.1 Calculate percentages passing, total percentages
12.5 0.89 1.4 2.1 3.8 6.7
9.5 0.67 1.1 1.6 2.9 5.1 retained, or percentages in various size fractions to the nearest
4.75 0.33 0.54 0.80 1.5 2.6 0.1 % on the basis of the total mass of the initial dry sample. If
A
Sieve frame dimensions in inch units: 8.0-in. diameter; 10.0-in. diameter, 12.0-in. the same test sample was first tested by Test Method C117,
diameter; 13.8 by 13.8 in. (14 by 14 in. nominal); 14.6 by 22.8 in. (16 by 24 in. include the mass of material finer than the 75-µm (No. 200)
nominal).
B
The sieve area for round sieve frames is based on an effective diameter 12.7 mm size by washing in the sieve analysis calculation; and use the
(1⁄2 in.) less than the nominal frame diameter, because Specification E11 permits total dry sample mass prior to washing in Test Method C117 as
the sealer between the sieve cloth and the frame to extend 6.35 mm (1⁄4 in.) over the basis for calculating all the percentages.
the sieve cloth. Thus the effective sieving diameter for a 203.2-mm (8.0-in.)
diameter sieve frame is 190.5 mm (7.5 in.). Sieves produced by some manufac- 9.1.1 When sample increments are tested as provided in 7.6,
turers do not infringe on the sieve cloth by the full 6.35 mm (1⁄4 in.). total the masses of the portion of the increments retained on
C
Sieves indicated have less than five full openings and should not be used for
sieve testing except as provided in 8.6. each sieve, and use these masses to calculate the percentages as
in 9.1.
3
C136 − 06
9.2 Calculate the fineness modulus, when required, by TABLE 2 Precision
adding the total percentages of material in the sample that is Standard
Acceptable
coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative percent- Total Percentage of Range of Two
Deviation (1s),
Material Passing Results (d2s),
ages retained), and dividing the sum by 100: 150-µm (No. %A
%A
100), 300-µm (No. 50), 600-µm (No. 30), 1.18-mm (No. 16), Coarse Aggregate:B
2.36-mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (No. 4), 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.), 19.0-mm Single-operator <100 $95 0.32 0.9
(3⁄4-in.), 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.), and larger, increasing in the ratio of precision <95 $85 0.81 2.3
<85 $80 1.34 3.8
2 to 1. <80 $60 2.25 6.4
<60 $20 1.32 3.7
10. Report <20 $15 0.96 2.7
<15 $10 1.00 2.8
10.1 Depending upon the form of the specifications for use <10 $5 0.75 2.1
of the material under test, the report shall include the follow- <5 $2 0.53 1.5
<2 >0 0.27 0.8
ing: Multilaboratory <100 $95 0.35 1.0
10.1.1 Total percentage of material passing each sieve, or precision <95 $85 1.37 3.9
10.1.2 Total percentage of material retained on each sieve, <85 $80 1.92 5.4
<80 $60 2.82 8.0
or <60 $20 1.97 5.6
10.1.3 Percentage of material retained between consecutive <20 $15 1.60 4.5
sieves. <15 $10 1.48 4.2
<10 $5 1.22 3.4
10.2 Report percentages to the nearest whole number, ex- <5 $2 1.04 3.0
<2 >0 0.45 1.3
cept if the percentage passing the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve is less Fine Aggregate:
than 10 %, it shall be reported to the nearest 0.1 %. Single-operator <100 $95 0.26 0.7
precision <95 $60 0.55 1.6
10.3 Report the fineness modulus, when required, to the <60 $20 0.83 2.4
nearest 0.01. <20 $15 0.54 1.5
<15 $10 0.36 1.0
11. Precision and Bias <10 $2 0.37 1.1
<2 >0 0.14 0.4
11.1 Precision—The estimates of precision for this test Multilaboratory <100 $95 0.23 0.6
precision <95 $60 0.77 2.2
method are listed in Table 2. The estimates are based on the <60 $20 1.41 4.0
results from the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory <20 $15 1.10 3.1
Proficiency Sample Program, with testing conducted by Test <15 $10 0.73 2.1
<10 $2 0.65 1.8
Method C136 and AASHTO No. T 27. The data are based on <2 >0 0.31 0.9
the analyses of the test results from 65 to 233 laboratories that A
These numbers represent, respectively, the (1s) and (d2s) limits described in
tested 18 pairs of coarse aggregate proficiency test samples and Practice C670.
test results from 74 to 222 laboratories that tested 17 pairs of B
The precision estimates are based on aggregates with nominal maximum size of
19.0 mm (3⁄4 in.).
fine aggregate proficiency test samples (Samples No. 21
through 90). The values in the table are given for different
ranges of total percentage of aggregate passing a sieve.
reflect the 300-g test sample size when a sufficient number of Aggregate
11.1.1 The precision values for fine aggregate in Table 2 are Proficiency Tests have been conducted using that sample size to provide
based on nominal 500-g test samples. Revision of this test reliable data.
method in 1994 permits the fine aggregate test sample size to 11.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference material
be 300 g minimum. Analysis of results of testing of 300-g and suitable for determining the bias in this test method, no
500-g test samples from Aggregate Proficiency Test Samples statement on bias is made.
99 and 100 (Samples 99 and 100 were essentially identical)
produced the precision values in Table 3, which indicate only 12. Keywords
minor differences due to test sample size.
12.1 aggregate; coarse aggregate; fine aggregate; gradation;
NOTE 6—The values for fine aggregate in Table 2 will be revised to grading; sieve analysis; size analysis
4
C136 − 06
TABLE 3 Precision Data for 300-g and 500-g Test Samples
Fine Aggregate Proficiency Sample Within Laboratory Between Laboratory
Test Result Sample Size Number Labs Average 1s d2s 1s d2s
Test Method C136/AASHTO No. T 27
Total material passing the No. 4 sieve (%) 500 g 285 99.992 0.027 0.066 0.037 0.104
300 g 276 99.990 0.021 0.060 0.042 0.117
300 g 274 84.32 0.39 1.09 0.69 1.92
300 g 272 70.00 0.62 1.74 0.76 2.12
300 g 276 48.44 0.87 2.44 1.36 3.79
300 g 275 13.51 0.45 1.25 0.99 2.76
300 g 270 2.52 0.18 0.52 0.32 0.89
Total Material passing the No. 200 sieve (%) 500 g 278 1.32 0.11 0.32 0.31 0.85
300 g 266 1.30 0.14 0.39 0.31 0.85
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C136 – 05, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved February 15, 2006)
(1) Revised 8.5.1. (3) Revised 8.5.

(2) Revised 7.7.2.
Committee C09 has identified the location of selected changes to this test method since the last issue,
C136 – 04, that may impact the use of this test method. (Approved February 1, 2005)
(1) Added 5.3. (2) Revised 8.5.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.

Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information

StandardTest Method for

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

(1) Revised 8.5.1. (3) Revised 8.5.

(1) Added 5.3. (2) Revised 8.5.

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