Practical 2

: Determination of particle size distribution and classification of sand

sample by sieve analysis.

Introduction:

Aggregate is one of important material in the building technology. Especially in concrete,

aggregate is use as a binding agent in the concrete to improvement compressive strength and
reduce porosity of the concrete. Usually, the aggregates occupy 65%-80% of the concrete
cube where fine and coarse aggregate occupy 26% and 41% respectively of the total volume
of the concrete.
Sieve analysis or grading of aggregate is defined as the proportion of the different sizes of
particles, expressed as percentages by weight passing to the various sieves. This test is mainly
use determine the grading of materials proposed for use as aggregates or being used as
aggregates. Furthermore, sieve analysis test can be used be used in the determination
of bio sand filter materials, quality of sand used in the concrete and mortar making.
Moreover, the sieve analysis test also used to determine compliance of the particle size
distribution with applicable specification requirements and provide necessary data in
controlling the products and mixtures that contain aggregate.
Abrams (1918) proposed a method to select mixture proportion for concrete based on the
fineness modulus of the combine of fine and course aggregate. The fineness modulus able to
describe particle-size size distributions by an index number remains. Agencies use fineness
modulus variation as a convenient means of keeping quality history data on uniformity of
particle-size distribution of aggregate production, delivery, and use.

Objectives:
To separate the coarse aggregates sample given according to their fineness.
To plot grading curves and calculate the fineness modulus of a sample each of coarse
and fine aggregate and compare the results with B. S. 882.

Practical 2 (a)

: To determine the size distribution of coarse aggregates by

sieve analysis.

Apparatus and Materials:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Sieve shaking machine;

Sets of sieve to B. S. 410 comprising: (25mm), (20mm), (14mm), (10mm), (5mm);
Electronic weighing machine;
2000g dry samples of coarse aggregates;
Oven;
Shovel;
Scoop;
Bucket;
Wire brush.

Procedure:
1. 2000g of course aggregates were weighted. Dried in the oven for 105 C if the sample
was moist. Any weed and wooden splinter contained in the aggregate were removed.
2. Each of the stacks of sieves was weighted and was arranged from the largest 25mm at
the top to the smallest 4.75 mm at the bottom.
3. The sample of the course aggregates were placed on the top sieve. The stack of sieve
was placed on the sieve shaking machine.

4. The cover plate was tightened and the time was set to 15 minutes for the shaking
process.

5. Material retained in each sieve was weighted and the percentage by the weight of the
total
sample
passing
through
each
sieve
was
calculated.

6. The fineness modulus was calculated and the graving curve was plotted.
Result:
Table 3: Sieve Analysis according to their fineness.
British
Weight of
Cumulative
Cumulative
Standard
Material
weight of
weight of
(B. S.)
retained
materials
materials passing
Sieve Size
on each
retained on
each (g)
(mm)
sieve (g)
each gram
2000 56
25
56
56
= 1944
2000 56 92
20
92
148
= 1852
2000 -56 -92
14
1143
1291
1143 = 709
2000 -56 -92
10
594
1143 594
1885
= 115
2000 -56 -92
5
113
1143 594
1998
113 = 2
2000 -56 -92
4.75
2
1143 594
2000
113 - 2 = 0

2000

Cumulative weight
Percentage
(%)
Pass

Percentage
(%)
Retain

97.2

2.8

92.6

7.4

35.45

64.55

5.75

94.25

0.1

99.9

230.82

268.9

N. B. The fineness modulus (F.M) is calculated by adding the percentage cumulative retained
on the sieve and dividing the sum by 100.

100
80
60
40
20
0
0

10

15

20

25

30

Figure 1: Percentage of coarse aggregate pass through over different sieve size

Fineness Modulus=

N ( 100 ) Total of Percentage Pa ssing

100

Where N = number of sieves involved in the sum total of percent passing from the largest
size noted to and including the No. 100 (150-m) sieve.
Fineness Modulus=

6 (100 )230.82
100

= 3.69

Practical 2 (b): To determine the size distribution of sand sample by

sieve analysis.

Objectives:
To separate the sand sample given according to their fineness in the sand or fine
aggregate by carry out sieve analysis.
To plot grading curves and calculate the fineness modulus of a sample each of coarse
and fine aggregate and compare the results with B. S. 882.

Equipment and Materials:

1. 500g dry fine aggregate ;
2. Nest of B.S. Sieve comprising : (2.36 mm), (1.18 mm), (600 ), (300 ), (150 ),
(90)
3. Electronic weighing machine ;
4. Wire brush;
5. Oven;
6. Shovel;
7. Scoop;
8. Sieve shaking machine;
9. Bucket.

Procedures:
1) 500g of sand sample was weighted. Dried the sample in the oven 105C if the
sample was moist. Any weed and wooden splinter contain in the aggregate were
removed.

2) Each of the stacks of sieves was weighted and arranged from the largest 2.36 mm
at
the
top
to
the
smallest
90m
at
the
bottom.

3) The sample of the sand sample was placed on the top sieve. The stack of sieve
was placed on the sieve shaking machine.

4) The cover plate was tightened and the time was set to 2 minutes for the shaking
process.

5) Material retained in each sieve was carefully transferred to electronic weighing

machine and the tiny particles that attach to the sieve plate was transferred by u

6) The sample in each sieve plate was weighted and the percentage by the weight of
the total sample passing through each sieve.

7) The fineness modulus was calculated and the graving curve was plotted. By
calculated the percentage passing as vertical axis and the sieve sizes as the
horizontal axis.
Result:
Table 2: Percentage of fine aggregate pass through over different sieve sizes
British
Weight of Cumulative
Cumulative weight
Cumulative weight
Standard
Material
weight of
of materials
Percentage
Percentage
(B. S.)
retained
materials
retained on each
(%)
(%)
Sieve Size
on each
passing
gram
Pass
Retain
sieve (g)
each (g)
496 80
80
80
83.90
16.13
2.36 mm
= 416
496 80
111
191
61.50
38.51
1.18 mm
-111 =305
496 80
113
-111 -113
304
38.71
61.29
600 m
= 192
496 80
106
-111 -113
410
17.33
17.34
300 m
106 = 86

496 80
-111 -113
106 - 61
= 25
496 80
-111 -113
106 61
-16 = 9

61

150 m

16

90m

364 (pan +
sand)
(pan
only) 355
=9

Pan

496 80
-111 -113
106 61
-16 -9 = 0

496

471

5.04

82.66

487

1.82

98.19

496

208.3

314.12

Percentage of fine aggregate pass through the different sieve test (%)
90
80
70
60

Percentage of passing (%)

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Figure 2: Percentage of fine aggregate pass through over different sieve size
Calculation:
Fineness Modulus=

N ( 100 ) Total of Perc entage Passing

100

Where N = number of sieves involved in the sum total of percent passing from the largest
size noted to and including the No. 100 (150-m) sieve.

Fineness Modulus=

6 (100 )314.12
100

= 2.86
Table of the upper and lower limits for sand pass to each sieve in the different zones in order
of their fineness i.e. coarse sand zone 1; medium sand zone 2; medium fine zone 3; fine
sand zone 4.
B. S. Sieve
Size
4.76mm
2.40mm
1.20mm
600m
300m
150m

Zone 1
90-100
60-95
30-70
15-34
5-20
0-10

Percentage Passing by Weight

Zone 2
Zone 3
90-100
90-100
75-100
85-100
55-90
75-100
35-59
60-79
8-30
12-40
0-10
0-10

Zone 4
90-100
95-100
95-100
80-100
15-50
0-15

Note: A tolerance of 5% in the above figures is permitted excluding the amount passing
No.25 sieve. The sand falling in any zone is suitable for concrete mixes but the quality
of concrete will depend upon a number of other factors.
Normally Zone 4 sand should not be used for R.C. structure unless tests are made to
determine the suitability of the proposed mixed proportions.
Table 3: Sieve analysis according of their fineness.
British Standard
(B. S.)
Sieve Size

2.36 mm
1.18 mm
600 m
300 m
150 m
90m

Cumulative weight
Percentage (%)
Pass
83.90
61.50
38.71
17.33
5.04
1.82

ZONE

1,2,3
1,2
1,2
1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4
1,2,3,4

Pan

208.3

Questions:
1. In shaking the sieve, which is preferable horizontal or vertical motion?
2. Should the amount of shaking time be the same for all specimens?
Explain with reference to fine aggregate.
3. How would the grading of the aggregates, for both coarse and fine, affect
the workability and compressive strength of concrete?
Answers:
1. Horizontal motion is more preferable compare to vertical motion for the shaking
sieve. This is because horizontal motion provide a uniform and a faster
distribution occur to the aggregate.
Moreover, horizontal motion also prevent collision happen between aggregate and
sieve container. This may break the aggregate into smaller parts and the data
obtain will increase the accuracy of the sieve.
Furthermore, horizontal motion prevent lose of the aggregate than vertical motion.
Finally, horizontal motion ensure lesser dust make due to the lesser collision
happen compare to vertical motion.
2. The amount of shaking time should not be the same for all specimens. The time of
shaking time is depended by the size, amount ratio and type of the specimen by
assuming that the number of sieves use is fixed. The main reason for the particle
to pass through the sieve is depend on the weight of the particles and do not affect
by the mesh size or the amount ratio of the specimen. The time consume for fine
aggregate is generally longer than course aggregate. For fine aggregate, it take
more time as when sieve tube test occur, the motion apply result the fine aggregate
to thrown higher compare to course aggregate and land slower than course
aggregate when same force is applied, making the fine aggregate need a longer
time to pass through.

3. Workability of concrete is defined as the ability of the fresh concrete to fill in the
form work and mold without reducing the quality of the concrete produce.
Compressive strength of concrete is defined as durability and mechanical
performance of the concrete to meet the design requirement of the structure.
Surface area of the course aggregate is smaller compare to fine aggregate. The
larger the surface area, the larger the amount of water use for the mixture process.
Therefore, less amount of water needed by the course aggregate compare to fine
aggregate.
The higher water contain in the mixture, the higher the workability for the
concrete mixture process. However the compressive strength will decrease as the
water contain higher in the mixture. Moreover, if only course aggregate use for the
mixture the, potential void will form as no fine aggregate to fill up the space
within the course aggregate resulting poor compressive strength.
Therefore, to achieve optimum workability and compressive strength, fine
aggregate and course aggregate is needed by calculating the ratio for the mixture.

Discussions and Conclusions:

Precaution:
In any experiment, precaution step is needed to carry out before conducting the experiment in
order to obtain the result as accurate as possible.
In this sieve analysis test, the aggregate must in dry condition before the test carry out. As the
aggregate absorb water, the weight of the aggregate increase result the inaccurate reading.
Furthermore, fine aggregate absorb more water than coarse aggregate and they will form a
bonding stick the fine aggregate together. This will result difficulty to pass to the sieve.
Secondly, when transporting the aggregate, extra care needed especially for the fine aggregate
as the density of the fine aggregate is low, thus tapping the sieve to remove the aggregate will
result some lost in the atmosphere. Therefore, using wire brush to remove and reduce the high
is advised.
Thirdly, each sieve must clean from any retain aggregate before the experiment conduct to
prevent the inaccurate weight obtain.
Fourth, each sieve must be weight first before the experiment conduct as there is possible that
the aggregate retain in the sieve are hard to remove by brush.
Fifth, the electronic weighing machine must avoid zero error.
Sixth, the stack of the sieve must be tighten properly before the shaking to prevent lost of the
aggregate during the shaking process.
Seventh, any weed and wooden splinter contain in the aggregate must remove.

Eighth, if possible do no transfer the aggregate to another bucket as lose may occur.
Ninth, make sure that the sieve is in dry condition

Results from Ms Yap Yan Qi group

Table 4: Percentage of coarse aggregate pass through over different sieve size
Cumulative
Cumulative
Cumulative
weight of 2000g
B. S.
Wt. of Material
weight of
weight of
materials
Sieve
retained on each
materials
materials passing
Size(mm)
sieve (g)
retained on
%
%
each (g)
each (g)
Pass
Retain
25.00
33
1967
33
98.35
1.65
20.00

212

1755

245

87.75

12.25

14.00

1116

639

1361

31.95

68.05

10.00

402

237

1763

11.85

88.15

5.00

116

1879

93.95

Percentage of coarse aggregate passing (%)

120
100
80

Percentage of coarse
aggregate passing (%)

60
40
20
0
0

10

15

20

25

Figure 3: Percentage of coarse aggregate passing through different sieve size

Fineness Modulus =

264.05
100

=2.6405
Table 5: Percentage of coarse aggregate pass through over different sieve size
Wt. of Material
B. S. Sieve
retained on each
Size(mm)
sieve (g)
2.36mm

88

1.18mm

110

600m

111

300m

103

150m

55

90m

16

Pan
Total

Cumulative weight of
500g materials
%
% Retain
Pass

Cumulative
weight of
materials passing
each (g)

Cumulative wt.
of materials
retained on
each (g)

412

88

82.4

17.4

302

198

60.4

39.6

191

309

38.2

61.8

88

412

17.6

82.4

33

467

6.6

93.4

17
12

483
488

3.4
2.4

96.6
97.6
488.8

5
488

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

Figure 4 of percentage of fine aggregate pass through over sieve size

Fineness Modulus =

294.6
100

=2.946

Figure 5: Grading curve aggregates at mid-range of B.S 882 Limit

Figure 6: Example of good combined aggregate grading curves for use in the concrete

Table 7: Possible moisture condition of aggregate

In general, the result of the fineness modulus may be same even from different particle
distribution. The smaller value means that the sample contain large value of fine aggregate
and large value indicates the coarse aggregate. Fine aggregate commonly range from 2.004.00 while coarse aggregate range 6.5-8.0 when all the material is finer than the 38.1mm
sieve.
Both group results on the value of fineness modulus in coarse aggregate are 3.69 and 2.946.
While the according to B.S 882, the common coarse aggregate is range about 6.5-8.0.
Therefore, both groups do not achieve the minimum value to define as their sample as coarse
aggregate.
For fineness modulus value in fine aggregate,define in B.S. 882 define is range around 3.032.10. Both group result on the fineness modulus in fine aggregate 2.946 and 2.86
Error/mistake
From the table 1 and table 4, we can assume that the fine aggregate occupied larger volume to
weight for both group samples. For this practical, both of the group obtain in the range of
2.00-4.00.Therefore, they can assume that both group is success obtaining a result that in the
range of data provided by B.S 882. From the result, praticle 2(b), table 2, out of total
weightage of 500g for the sample, it only remain 496g during weighting on the machine.
There is the error happen that cause the reading in the table 2 do not achieve 500g after sum
up.
1) The shaking time of the fine aggregate need more time instead of just 5 minutes as the
increased in the particle need more time to sediment compare to the coarse aggregate.
2) When removing the fine aggregate, wire brush was not used.
3) During the when shaking process, sieve was no tight enough resulting some fine
aggregate is blown away.
4) Fine aggregate in stuck in the sieve nest that is almost impossible to brush it out.
5) Each sieve pan do not weight first.

6) Instead of using wire brush to brush out the stuck aggregate, repeating strike the sieve
pan resulting some aggregate blown out.
Recommendation
1) Reduce the height of impact when transporting the aggregate to the bucket for
weightage.
2) Lengthen the time for shaking process.
3) The sieve pan must weigh first before doing proceed to other procedure.
4) Double check whether the sieve is enough tight to the shaking machine.
5) For coarse aggregate, instead of using shovel use bare hand to take the sample to
prevent the coarse aggregate crush to a smaller particle.
6) When transferring the aggregate, use the hand to minimise the gap preventing
aggregate blown away.
7) Make sure the aggregate use is in dry condition, the aggregate may expand in its
volume when absorbing the water especially the fine aggregate.

Conclusion
1) The grading curve plotted and the value of fineness modulus of the coarse aggregate
and fine aggregate are different compare to standard result obtained from B.S.882,
thus the procedure for the practical consists technique error making the aggregate
obtain form the sieve analysis unable to define as the sample of coarse aggregate and
fine aggregate.
2) The grading curve plotted and value of fineness modulus of the coarse aggregate and
fine aggregate are similar to the standard result obtained from B.S882, thus the
procedure for this practical contain lower error in the procedure making the sample is
successful to define as coarse aggregate and fine aggregate.
3) The grading curve plotted and the value of fineness modulus calculated proof that the
sand sample use for the this practical is suitable to define as fine aggregate
4) The grading curve plotted and the value of fineness modulus calculated proof that the
coarse aggregate use for the practical is unsuitable to define as course aggregate.

Reference:
1) Retrieved from: Charles Camp, CIVL 1101 , Department of Civil
Engineering at .http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/filtration/filtration-2.html

2) Retrieved from: METHOD OF CALCULATION OF THE FINENESS MODULUS

OF AGGREGATE
https://www.wbdg.org/ccb/ARMYCOE/COESTDS/crd_c104.pdf

3) Retrieved from: J.M ILLSTON AND P.L.J DONOME (2001). Construction Material,
Third Edition London And New York. https://books.google.com.my/books?

id=wAK7rTQWq10C&pg=PA125&lpg=PA125&dq=b.s+882+fineness+modul

us&source=bl&ots=JUUQoQp0N&sig=WPvC1EzwIVH4ACjg2HZuQtcBV68&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a
bcmVfK_GZSdugTgqIHoDQ&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=b.s
%20882%20fineness%20modulus&f=false

4) Retrieved from: British Standard License Copy : Geoffrey James (2003). KG Wilson
Ltd.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3zQfrHwXs0aUzZaUUlPb2FZZVk/edit

5) Retrieved from: ND T 27-Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate

http://www.dot.nd.gov/manuals/materials/testingmanual/t27.pdf

6) Retrieved from: Sieve Analysis

http://www.uta.edu/ce/geotech/lab/Main/sieve/index.htm