Sieve Analysis

Concrete Mix Design

Technician School

Pg 173

Terms and Definitions

Aggregate.
An inert filler material, such as crushed
stone, gravel, and sand which is mixed
with cement and water to make concrete.
Coarse Aggregate.
Generally aggregate larger than 1/2" in
diameter, referred to as stone or gravel.

Fine Aggregate

Pg 174

A natural silica or manufactured aggregate smaller than 1/4" in

diameter, normally referred to as sand.

Sieve Analysis
A process in which an aggregate is separated into its various sizes
by passing it through screens of various size openings for the
purpose of determining the distribution of the quantities separated.

Gradation of an Aggregate
The relative amounts of aggregate particles of consecutively larger
and smaller sizes.

Pg 175

Maximum Size of Aggregate

The smallest sieve opening through which the
entire amount of the aggregate is required to
pass.

Nominal Maximum Size of Aggregate

The smallest sieve opening through which the
entire amount of the aggregate is permitted to
pass.

Pg 17

Standard Sieves
Coarse Aggregate

6", 3", 1 1/2", 3/4", 3/8", and

No.4
Fine Aggregate

Nos. 4, 8, 16, 30, 50, and 100

Affect of Particle Size on

Aggregate Surface Area.
One 1- in cube of
aggregate. Surface area
= 6 x 1 x 1 = 6 sq in

27 1/3 - in cubes of aggregate.

Surface area = 6 x 1/3 x 1/3 x 27
=18 sq in.

Sieve Analysis Procedure

Take a representative sample.

Reduce to proper size for testing.

Sampling

Sieve Analysis

Pg 24
Table 1005-1
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Standard Specifications
Coarse Aggregate Gradation

Sieve

Percent by Weight Passing Each Sieve

Std Size

3/8

No. 4

No. 8

No. 200

#57

100

95-100

25-60

0-10

0-5

0-0.6*

#67

100

90-100

20-55

0-10

0-5

0-0.6*

#78M

100

98-100

75-100

20-45

0-15

0-0.6*

Pg 24

Coarse Aggregate Gradation

When tested during production the
amount passing the No. 200 sieve
may be no greater than 0.6% by
weight.
When tested at the job site prior to
use , the amount of material passing
the No. 200 sieve shall not be
greater than 1.5% by weight.

Coarse Aggregate Gradation

If a stockpile at the job site is found to

contain in excess of 1.5% passing the
No.200 sieve prior to use, the engineer
may approve its use provided the total %
by weight passing the the no 200 sieve in
the combined coarse and fine aggregate
does not exceed 2%, & no increase in
W/C ratio is required by the use of this
aggregate.

Pg 25

Table 1005-2
Aggregate Gradation of Fine Aggregate

Percentage of Total by Weight Passing

STD

3/8

#4

#8

#16

#30

#50

#100

#200

2S

100

95-100

80-100

45-95

25-75

5-30

0-10

0-3

2MS

100

95-100

80-100

45-95

25-75

5-35

0-20

0-8*

Size

Pg 25

Fine Aggregate Gradation

When tested during production the
amount of material passing the
No.200 sieve shall not be greater
than 8%.
When tested at the job site prior to
use, the amount of material passing
the No. 200 sieve shall not be
greater than 10%.

Pg 26

200 Sieve Washing Procedure

In a fine and coarse aggregate sieve
analysis, the representative sample
is washed over a No. 200 sieve.
The portion retained in the No. 200
sieve is dried and weighed.
The loss is then recorded in
accordance with AASHTO T11.

Mass of Sample after Pg 27

Drying, AASHTO T11 6.2
Nominal Max Size

Min. Mass, grams

4.75mm (No 4)

300

9.5mm (3/8 in)

1000

19mm (3/4 in)

2500

37.5 mm (1 in)

5000

Pg 27

No.200 Sieve Calculation

Percent passing No. 200 sieve =

Total dry wt wt after washing x 100
Total dry wt

Pg 28

Example 200 Sieve Problem

Total dry wt
Wt after washing

Gram matl passing 200

9.1 grams x 100

514.0 grams

514.0 grams
504.9 grams
9.1 grams
= 1.8% passing

Sieve Analysis Example

Pg 29

Total weight of the sample oven dry

(before washing)

= 514.0 grams

Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

= 504.9 grams

Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

0
15.4
36.0
102.8
103.4
159.3
71.4
16.6

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
15.4
51.4
154.2
257.6
416.9
488.3
504.9
Washing
method

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

0
3
10
30
50
81
95

100
97
90
70
50
19
5

100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
5-30
0-10

1.8

0-3

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

Pg 33

Sieve Analysis Problem 1

Sieve Analysis No. 1

SA P-1
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and determine
if it meets NCDOT requirements for Type 2S Sand. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Total weight of the sample oven dry (before washing) 520.3 grams
Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve) = 514.9 grams
(520.3-514.9) / 520.3 x 100 = 1.0%
Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

0
0
26.2
113.6
133.0
162.1
73.2
6.8

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
0
26.2
139.8
272.8
434.9
508.1
514.9
Washing
method

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

0
0
5
27
52
84
98

100
100
95
73
48
16
2

100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
5-30
0-10

1.0

0-3

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

Pg 34

Sieve Analysis Problem 2

Sieve Analysis No. 2

SA P-2
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for Type 2S Sand. Circle the sieve not passing, if
any.
Total weight of the sample oven dry (before washing) = 529.2 grams
Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve) = 518.1 grams
(529.2 518.1) / 529.2 x 100 = 2.1%
Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

0
11.4
20.2
105.8
85.9
180.6
88.1
26.1

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
11.4
31.6
137.4
223.3
403.9
492.0
518.1
Washing
method

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

0
2
6
26
42
76
93

100
98
94
74
58
24
7

100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
5-30
0-10

2.1

0-3

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

Pg 35

Sieve Analysis Problem 3

SA P-3
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for Type 2MS Sand. This sample was taken at the
job site. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Total weight of the sample oven dry(before washing) = 547.9 grams
Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

0
6.7
62.1
114.6
161.9
97.2
51.4
8.6

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
6.7
68.8
183.4
345.3
442.5
493.9
502.5
Washing
method

= 502.5 grams
(547.9-502.5) / 547.9 x 100 = 8.3
Cum %
Retained
0
1
13
33
63
81
90

Does this 2MS Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

100
99
87
67
37
19
10

100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
5-35
0-20

8.3

0-10

Pg 36

Sieve Analysis Problem 4

Sieve Analysis No. 4

SA P-4
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of coarse aggregate for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for No. 67 stone. This sample was taken at a
Ready Mix Plant. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Using the washing method, it was determined the Percentage Passing the No.200 sieve is 0.9
percent.
Total weight of sample (oven dry) =
37.6 pounds

Sieve Size

Lbs. Ret.

1 in
in
3/8 in
#4
#8
Pan

0
3.8
23.6
7.8
1.8
0.6

#200

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
3.8
27.4
35.2
37.0
37.6

Cum %
Retained
0
10
73
94
98

Washing
method

Does this 67 Stone meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

100
90
27
6
2

100
90-100
20-55
0-10
0-5

0.9

0-1.5

Pg 37

Sieve Analysis Problem 5

Sieve Analysis No. 5

SA P-5
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of coarse aggregate for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for No. 57 stone. This sample was taken during
production. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Using the washing method, it was determined the Percentage Passing the No.200 sieve is 1.2
percent.
Total weight of sample (oven dry)

Sieve Size

Lbs. Ret.

1 in
1 in
1/2 in
#4
#8
Pan

0
1.4
24.9
6.2
2.0
0.7

#200

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
1.4
26.3
32.5
34.5
35.2

35.2 pounds

Cum %
Retained
0
4
75
92
98

Washing
method

Does this 57 Stone meet NCDOT Specifications?

No

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

100
96
25
8
2

100
90-100
25-60
0-10
0-5

1.2

0-0.6

Fineness Modulus

Pg 39

Fine Modulus An index to the

coarseness or fineness of an
aggregate.

Fineness Modulus (FM) Defined

mathematically as the sum of the
cumulative percentages retained on
the standard sieves divided by 100.

Pg 39

Fineness Modulus
FM of fine aggregate should not be
less than 2.30 or more than 3.10,
nor vary by more than 0.20 from
batch to batch.
Coarse Sand
2.80 - 3.10
Medium
2.50 - 2.80
Fine Sand
2.30 - 2.50

Pg 39

The Standard Sieves

6 in
3 in
1 in
in
3/8 in
#4

#8
#16
#30
#50
#100

Fine agg. range 3/8 - #100

Coarse agg. range 6 in - #8

Table 5.3.6

Pg 39

Table 5.3.6 gives the volume of dry

rodded coarse aggregate per unit
volume of concrete for different
fineness moduli of sand.
If the size of coarse aggregate and
fineness modulus is known, the
volume of dry rodded coarse
aggregate can be obtained from the
table.

Pg 39

Table 5.3.6
The proportion of coarse and fine
aggregate in a concrete mix depend
upon the fineness modulus of the
fine aggregate and the size of the
coarse aggregate.
The volume of coarse aggregate
increases or decreases to maintain a
constant surface area or a constant
water demand.

Pg 40

Table 5.3.6

The variable is the fineness or

coarseness (FM) of the sand.

Pg 41
ACI Table 5.3.6. Volume of Coarse Aggregate
Per Unit of Volume of Concrete
Nominal Maximum size
of aggregate,
(inches)

Volume of dry- rodded coarse agg. Per Unit

Volume of concrete for different FM of sand

2.30

2.40

2.50

2.60

2.70

2.80

2.90

3.00

3/8

0.51

0.50

0.49

0.48

0.47

0.46

0.45

0.44

1/2

0.60

0.59

0.58

0.57

0.56

0.55

0.54

0.53

3/4

0.67

0.66

0.65

0.64

0.63

0.62

0.61

0.60

0.72

0.71

0.70

0.69

0.68

0.67

0.66

0.65

1 1/2

0.76

0.75

0.74

0.73

0.72

0.71

0.70

0.69

0.79

0.78

0.77

0.76

0.75

0.74

0.73

0.72

0.83

0.82

0.81

0.80

0.79

0.78

0.77

0.76

* Volumes are based on aggregates in dry- rodded condition

as described in ASTM C 29 for Unit Weight on Aggregate.

FinenessFineness
Modulus
- Example
Modulus - Example

Pg 42

Complete the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and determine the fineness modulus of this
material.
Total weight of the sample oven dry (before washing)

= 514.8 grams

Oven dry wt. (after washing No.200)

= 504.0 grams

Sieve Size

Grams Ret

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
15.1
50.4
119.9
289.1
434.2
490.9
504.0

3/8 in
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan

0
15.1
35.3
69.5
169.2
145.1
56.7
13.1

FM =

3+10+23+56+84+95 =
100

2.71

Cum %
Retained
0
3
10
23
56
84
95

Fineness Modulus Problem

Pg 48
No.1

Fineness Modulus No.1

Complete the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and determine the fineness modulus of this material.
Total weight of the sample oven dry
(before washing)
= 573.0 grams

(573.0-558.4)/573 x 100 = 2.5%

Oven dry wt. (after washing No.200) = 558.4 grams

Sieve Size

Grams Ret

3/8 in
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan

0
0
24.9
149.0
114.6
143.3
93.6
33.0

#200

( washing method)

FM =

0+0+4+30+50+75+92
100

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
0
24.9
173.9
288.5
431.8
525.4
558.4

Cum %
Retained
0
0
4
30
50
75
92

2.51

Is this a coarse, median or fine sand?

Medium

FM P-1

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

100
100
96
70
50
25
8

100
95-100
80-100
45-90
25-75
5-30
0-10

2.5

0-3

Fineness Modulus Problem

No.2
Pg 49

Complete the following sieve analysis of a sample of natural sand for use in concrete and determine the fineness modulus of
this material.
Total weight of the sample oven dry
(before washing)
= 520.5 grams

(520.5-500.3)/520.5 x 100 = 3.9

Oven dry wt. (after washing No.200) = 500.3 grams

Sieve
Size

Grams Ret

3/8 in
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan

0
36.3
41.5
197.0
46.7
67.4
93.3
18.1

#200

( washing method)

FM =

0+7+15+53+62+75+93
100

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
36.3
77.8
274.8
321.5
388.9
482.2
500.3

Is this a coarse, median or fine sand?

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

0
7
15
53
62
75
93

100
93
85
47
38
25
7

100
95-100
80-100
45-90
25-75
5-30
0-10

3.9

0-3

3.05

FM P-2

Coarse

Fineness Modulus Problem

No. 3
Pg 50

FM P-3
Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of fine aggregate for use in concrete and determine if it meets NCDOT
requirements for 2MS Sand. This sample was taken at the R/M plant. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Total weight of the sample oven dry (before washing) = 532.4 grams
Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

(532.4-509.7)/ 532.4 x 100 = 4.3%

= 509.7 grams

Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

Cum Grams
Retained

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

3/8
#4

0
7.5

0
7.5

0
1

100
99

100
95-100

#8

12.7

20.2

96

80-100

#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

159.7
74.6
188.7
53.4
13.1

179.9
254.5
443.2
496.6
509.7
Washing
method

34
48
83
93

66
52
17
7

45-95
25-75
5-35
0-20

4.3

0-10

Does this 2MS Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

What is the F.M.

Yes
2.63

Is this a coarse, medium, or fine sand? Medium

Fineness Modulus Problem

Pg 51
No.4

Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of fine aggregate for use in concrete and determine if it meets NCDOT
requirements for 2S Sand. This sample was taken during production. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.
Total weight of the sample oven dry
(before washing)

524.3 grams

Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

514.5 grams

(524.3-514.5) / 524.3 x 100 = 1.9%

Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

Cum Grams
Retained

Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT Specs

3/8

100

100

#4

36.9

36.9

93

95-100

#8

20.8

57.7

11

89

80-100

#16

127.4

185.1

35

65

45-95

#30

180.1

365.2

70

30

25-75

#50

81.6

446.8

85

15

5-30

#100

51.6

498.4

95

0-10

Pan

16.1

514.5
1.9

0-3

#200

Washing
method

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

No

What is the F.M.

3.03

Is this a coarse, medium or fine sand? Coarse

FM P-4

TERMS I SHOULD KNOW?

Fineness Modulus
Nominal Maximum Size
Sieve Analysis
Water Reducing Agent
Workability
HOLD ON A MINUTE AND LET ME
MARK THOSE IN THE BACK OF MY
BOOK!!

Homework

Homework 1

What is the fineness modulus of the following material?

Sieve
1 in
1 in
in
in
3/8 in
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#70
#100
#200

FM =

Cum % Retained
0
15
25
40
50
60
70
85
95

0 + 15 + 25 + 40 +50 + 60 + 70 + 85 + 95 =
100

Cum % Passing
100
95
85
80
75
60
50
40
30
15
10
5
0

4.40

Homework 2

The fineness modulus of a material which all passes the in. sieve and is all retained on
the 3/8 in. sieve is :

Sieve
3/4
3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100

Grams Ret.
0
150
0
0
0
0
0
0

Cum. Grams Ret.

0
150
150
150
150
150
150
150

FM = 0 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100

100

Cum. % Ret.
0
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

7.0

Quiz

Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of fine aggregate for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for 2S Sand. This sample was taken at the
R/M plant. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.

Total weight of the sample oven dry

(before washing)

504.1 grams

Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

501.6 grams

2.5 /
Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan
#200

0
0
5.0
60.5
176.5
171.4
75.5
12.7

504.1

Cum
Grams
Retained

x 100
Cum %
Retained

=
Percent
Passing

0.5 % Passing
NCDOT
Specs
100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
8-30
.5-10

Washing
method

0-3

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

What is the F.M.
Is this a coarse, medium or fine sand?

Quiz

Quiz Answer

Check the following sieve analysis of a sample of fine aggregate for use in concrete and
determine if it meets NCDOT requirements for 2S Sand. This sample was taken at the
R/M Plant. Circle the sieve not passing, if any.

Total weight of the sample oven dry

(before washing)

504.1 grams

Oven dry wt.(after washing No.200 sieve)

501.6 grams

2.5 / 504.1 x 100 =

Sieve Size

Grams Ret.

3/8
#4
#8
#16
#30
#50
#100
Pan

0
0
5.0
60.5
176.5
171.4
75.5
12.7

#200

Cum
Grams
Retained
0
0
5.0
65.5
242.0
413.4
488.9
501.6

0.5 % Passing
Cum %
Retained

Percent
Passing

NCDOT
Specs

0
0
1
13
48
82
97

100
100
99
87
52
18
3

100
95-100
80-100
45-95
25-75
8-30
.5-10

0.5

0-3

Washing
method

Does this 2S Sand meet NCDOT Specifications?

Yes

What is the F.M.

2.41

Is this a coarse, medium or fine sand?

Fine

Quiz ans.