Standard Method of Test for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates SCOPE 11 This method covers the determi- nation of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse aggregates by sieving, 12 Some specifications for agere- {gates which reference this method con tain grading requirements including both coarse and fine fractions. Instructions are included for sieve analysis of such aggre gates 1.3. ‘The values stated in $1 units are to be regarded as the standard, 1.4 This standard may involve haz- ardous materials, operations, and equip- ment, This standard docs not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It isthe responsi- bility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory regulations prior to use 2, REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 21 AASHTO Standards, M92 Wire Cloth Sieves for ‘Testing Purposes Balances Used in the Testing of Materials 1 SI Practice 2 Sampling Aggregates, 11 Materials Finer than 75-yum (No, 200) Sieve in Mineral Ag- agregates by Washing Reducing Field Sam- ples of Aggregate to ‘Testing Size M231 s4n T 248 \s Meme ASTM C 1350 AASHTO DESIGNATION: T 27.93! (ASTM DESIGNATION: C 136-84a) 22° ASTM Standard: C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Con- struction Materials 3. SUMMARY OF METHOD 3.1 A weighed sample of dry aggre- gate is separated through a series of sieves of progressively smaller openings for determination of particle size disti- bation, 4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This method is used primarily to determine the grading of materials proposed for use as aggregates or being used as aggregates. The results are used to determine compliance of the particle size distribution with applicable specifi- cation requirements and to provide nec- essary data for control of the production of various aggregate products and mix- tures containing aggregates, The data ‘may also be useful in developing rela- tionships concerning porosity an packing. 42 Accurate determination of mate- rial finer than the 75-ym (No, 200) sieve ‘cannot be achieved by use of this method alone. Test Method T 11 for material finer than 75-~m sieve by washing should be employed, 5. APPARATUS. 5.1 Balance—The balance shall con- form to the requirements of M 231 for the lass of general purpose balance required for the principal sample mass of the sample being tested, 52 Sieves—The sieves shall be mounted on substantial frames. con: structed in a manner that will prevent loss of material during sieving. Suitable sieve sizes shall be selected to furnish the information required by the specifica- tions covering the material to be tested ‘The sieves shall conform to M 92. Sieves with openings larger than 125 mm (5 in.) shall have a permissible variation in average opening of * 2 percent and shall have a nominal wire diameter of 8.0 mm (he in.) oF larger NOTE 1—It is recommended that sieves ‘mounted in frames larger than standard 203 mm (8 in.) diameter frames be used for testing coarse aggregate, 53 Mechanical Sieve Shaker—A mechanical sieve shaker, if used, shall” impart a vertical, or lateral and vertical, motion tothe sieve, causing the particles thereon to bounce and tum so as to present different orientations tothe siev- Ing surface. The sieving action shall be such that the criterion for adequacy of sieving described in Section 7.4 is met in a reasonable time period NOTE 2—Use of a mechanical sieve shaker is recommended when the sizeof the sample is 20 kg or greater, and may be used for smaller samples, including fine aggregate Excessive time (more than approximately 10 minutes) to achieve adequate sieving. may result in degradation ofthe sample. The same ‘mechanical sieve shaker may not be practical for al sizes of samples, since the large sieving area needed for practical sieving of a large ‘nominal size coarse aggregate very likely could result in loss ofa portion of the sample i sed for a smaller sample of coarse aggre ate oF Fine aggregate 5.4 Oven—An oven of appropriate size capable of maintaining uniform lemperature of 110 + $°C (230 + 9°F),T27 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TI 29 6. SAMPLING 6.1 Sample the aggregate in accor- dance with T 2. The mass of the field sample shall be the mass shown in T 2 of four times the mass required in Sec tions 6.4 and 6.5 (except as modified in Section 6.6), whichever is greater. 6.2. Thoroughly mix the sample and reduce ito an amount suitable for testing using the applicable procedures de scribed in T 248, The sample for test shall be approximately of the mass de sired when dry and shall be the end result of the reduction, Reduction to an exact predetermined mass. shall not be p mitted NOTE 3—Where sieve analysis, including Aetermination of material finer than the 75: tum (No, 200) sieve, isthe only testing pro posed, the size ofthe sample may be reduced inthe field to avotd shipping excessive quan ties of extra material tothe laboratory 63 Fine Aggregate—The minimum size of the test sample of aggregate, after drying, shall conform with the following: Aggregate with at least 95 per 100 ‘cent passing a 2:36-mm (No. 8) sieve Aggregate with atleast 85 pes- 500 ‘cent passing a 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve and more than 5 per- cent retained on a 2.36-mm (No. 8) sieve 64 Coarse Aggregate—The mass of the test sample of coarse aggregate shall conform with the following: Nominal Maximum Sie Squire Minimum Mass Openings of Test Sample vm Gin) __ ke by nsen 2a 90c% sau asin, war 30 20 444) Bay 35.0) 3 1130) my 10 220), 00 4 150.030 m2 4s 200 (440) ns (5 300 (660 1506 500 (1100) 6S Coarse and Fine Aggregates Mixtures—The mass of the test sample ff coarse and fine aggregate mixtures shall be the same as for coarse aggregate in Section 6.4 6.6 The size of sample required for aggregates with large nominal maximum size is such as to preclude testing except with large mechanical sieve shakers. However, the intent of this method will be satisfied for samples of aggregate larger than 50 ram (2 in.) nominal maxi- mum size if a smaller mass of sample is used, provided that the criterion for acceptance ot rejection of the material ig based on the average of results of several samples, such that the sample size used times the number of samples averaged equals the minimum mass of sample shown in Section 6.4 6.7 In the event that the amount of ‘material finer than the 75-ym (No. 200) sieve is to be determined by T 11, pro- ceed as follows: 6.7.1 For aggregates with a nominal maximum size of 12.5 mm (ls in.) or less, use the same test sample for testing by T 11 and this method. First test the sample in accordance with T 1 through the final drying operation, then dry sieve the sample as stipulated in Sections 7.2 through 7.7 of this method. 6.7.2. For aggregates with a nominal ‘maximum size greater than 12.5 mm ('/sin,), a single test sample may be used as described in Section 6.7.1 or separate test samples may be used for T I and this method 6.1.3. Where the specifications re- {quires determination of the total amount of material finer than 75-ym (No. 200) sieve by washing and dry sieving use the procedure described in Section 6.7.1 7. PROCEDURE, TAA If the test sample has not been subjected to testing by T II, dry it t0 constant mass at a temperature of 110 5° C (230 + 9'F) and determine the mass of it to the nearest 0.1 percent of the total original dry sample mass. NOTE 4—For conuw! purposes. particu larly where rapa results are dsied, 5 gener ally not necessary to dey coarse aggregate for the sieve analysis test The result are litle allcted by the moisture content ues) the nominal maximum size is smaller than about 125 mm (sin), (2) the coarse aggrepate contains appreciable material finer than 4.75 rnin (No. 4), of (3) the coarse aggregate is Fighly absorpeive (a lighoweight agaregae, for cxample) Also, samples may be died at the higher temperature associated withthe use of hot plates without affecting resuls, provided seam escapes without generating pressures saficient wo fracture the panicles, and vemper tures are not so great a to cause chemical treakdown of the aggregate 72. Suitable sieve sizes shall be selected to fumish the information required by the specifications covering the material 1o be tested. The use of ditional sieves may be desirable to pro- Vide other information, such as fineness ‘modulus, or to regulate the amount of material on a sieve. Nest the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top t© bottom and place the sample, or portion of the sample if itis to be sieved jn more than one increment, on the top sieve. Agitate the sieves by hand or by ‘mechanical apparatus for a sufficient pe- riod, established by trial or checked by measurement on the actual test sample, 0 meet the criterion for adequacy of sieving described in Section 7.4 7.3. Limit the quantity of material on fa given sieve so that all particles have ‘opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of times during the sieving oper- ation, For sieves with openings smaller than 4.75-mm (No. 4), the mass retained fon any sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed 6 kg/ 1m (4 gli.) of sieving surface. For sieves with openings 4.75 mm (No. 4) and larger, the mass in kg/m’ of sieving sur- face shall not exceed the product of 2.5 % (sieve opening in mm). In no case shall the mass be so great as 10 cause permanent deformation of the sieve loth NOTE 5—The 6 kp/m’ amounts to 194 g for the usual 203-min (in) diameter sieve The amount of material retained on sieve may be regulated by (I the introduction of a Seve with larger openings immediately above the given sieve or (2) testing the sample in 4 number of ynerements 7.4 Continue sieving for sufficient period and in such manner that, after completion, not more than 0.5 percent by mass of the total sample passes any30 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING Acceptable Range ee of Test Rests Fraction Coethciont of Standard 0D; Beween Variation (1S. Deviation Percent Consecutive Percent, US), Percent of (B28), Sieves Poscent” Percent’ Average Percent ‘Single-Operaior 40 3 x : as" = Precision 310 10 ro so 10 10 20 as 27 2040 50 138 39 Mutiteboratory wa as » — Precision 300 10 06 30 10 w 29 Lee 49 2010 30 201 37 3010 40 2a 69 4010 50 ae 90 Fine Aggregates: Single-Operator oma ons o4 Precision 3010 04s 12 10.20 060. 7 2010 30 054 Le 3010.40 on 20 40:0 50 = as Mulilsboratory 103 om 06 Precision 3010 037 16 1010.20 095 20 2010 30 aa 35 30 0 40 Lal 40 401050 — ‘Tes sumers epee especie (15) aad (DES) av Sed ASTIN © OO These mers represen, espe the 1S pact al (DES perce nis as dese i ASTM C60 ‘The precision exits wre Bsed on cir gece wth nomial msi eof 130 non Cle). "These vale ae fom precision ines ft iced nT 2. Onher ines weve Svcd i 198 fom tore he vahes 8 ted sieve during 1 minute of continuous band sieving performed as follows: Hold the individual sieve, provided with a snug- fitting pan and cover, in a slightly in- clined position in one hand. Strike the side of the sieve sharply and with an upward motion against the heel of the other hand at the rate of about 150 times per minute, tum the sieve about one sixth of s revolution at intervals of about 25 strokes. In determining sufficiency of sieving for sizes larger than the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve, limit the material on the sieve to a single layer of particles, If the size of the mounted testing sieves, ‘makes the described sieving motion im practical, use 203-mm (8-in.) diameter sievesto verify the sufficiency of sieving. 78 In the case of coarse and fine sgregate mixtures, the portion of the sample finer than the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve may be distributed among two ot rove mace nora _more sets of sieves to prevent overload- ing of individual sieves. 75.1 Alternatively, the portion finer than the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve may be reduced in size using a mechanical splitter according to T 248. If this proce- dure is followed, compute the mass of each size increment of the original sam- ple as follows: Ww, an xB ‘mass of size increment on total sample basis, mass of fraction finer than 4.75- mim (No. 4) sieve in total sample, ‘mass of reduced portion of mate rial finer than 4.75-mm (No. 4) sieve actualy sieved, and 127 B= mass of size increment in reduced portion sieved 7.6 Unless a mechanical sieve shaker is used, hand sieve particles larger than 75 mm (3in.) by determining the smallest sieve opening through which each part le will pass. Start the test on the smallest sieve to be used. Rotate the panicles, if necessary, in order to determine whether they will pass through a panicular open- ing; however, donot force particles to pass through an opening. 7.7. Determine the mass of each size increment by weighing on a scale or bal- ance conforming to the requirements specified in Section 5.1 tothe nearest 0.1 Percent of the total original dry sample mass. The total mass of the material after sieving should check closely with origi- nal mass of sample placed on the sieves, If the amounts differ by more than 0.3, percent, based on the original dry sample mass, the results should not be used for acceptance purposes, 7.8 Ifthe sample has previously been tested by T 11, add the mass finer than the 75-ym (No. 200) sieve determined by that method to the mass passing the ‘75-yum (No. 200) sieve by dry sieving of the same sample in this method, 8. CALCULATION 8.1 Calculate percentages. pass {otal percentages retained, or percentages in various size fractions to the nearest 0.1 percent on the basis ofthe total mass of the initial dry sample. Ifthe same test sample was frst tested by T 11, include ‘the mass of material finer than 75-um (No. 200) sieve by washing in the sieve analysis calculation; and use the total ‘dry sample mass prior to washing in T 11 as the basis for calculating all the per: ‘centages. 8.2 Calculate the fineness modulus, when required, by adding the total percent ‘ages of material in the sample that is ‘coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative percentages retained), and di Viding the sum by 100; 150 jum (No. 100), 300 yum (No. 50), 600 um (No. 30), 1.18 mm (No. 16), 2.36 mm (No. 8), 4.75 mm (No. 4), 95 mm (hin), 19.0 mm (ein), 37.5 mm ('/-in,), and larger, increasing the ratio of 2 10 1127 METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING a 9, REPORT whole number, except if the percentage Reference Laboratory Reference Sample passing the 75-m (No, 200) sieve is Program, with testing conducted by this less than 10 percent, it shall be reported method and ASTM C 136, While there 9.1 Depending upon the form of the to the nearest 0.1 percent. are differences in the minimum mass of specifications for use of the material un- 9.3 Report the fineness modulus, the test sample required for other nomi- ‘er test, the report shall include the fol- when required, to the nearest 0.01. nal maximum sizes of aggregate, no dif lowing: ferences entered into the testing to affect a1 Total percentage of material the determination ofthese precision indi sing each sieve, or s ces, The data are based on the analyses PAQ1.2 Tol percentage ofmatedalze. 10. PRECISION ef more than 100 paired test rests from tained on each sieve, or 40 to 100 laboratories. The values in the ‘9.1.3 Percentage of material retained 10.1 The estimates of precision of table are given for different ranges of between consecutive sieves this method listed in Table I are based percentage of aggregate passing one 9.2. Report percentages tothe nearest on results from the AASHTO Materials sieve and retained on the nest finer sieve.