1.

Sieve Analysis (ASTM C 136, AASHTO T-27): This test method evaluates
the gradation of aggregate using a series of sieves. The results are then
plotted on to a semi-log aggregate gradation chart. This chart shows the
particle size distribution for any given aggregate and can then be better
evaluated for its use in Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete. 2, 7

Sieve analysis

Aggregate is a rock like material of various sizes and shapes that is used in concrete mix. As
defined by ASTM, it is a granular material such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or iron-blast slag
used with cementing medium to form mortar or concrete. Aggregates contribute to 65-85% of a
concrete mix, accounting for more than 30% of the total cost, hence aggregate is very important
and we must always determine the suitability of the tested fine aggregate as concrete material.
To determine the suitability of the tested fine aggregates concrete material, the fine
modulus of the fine aggregate is determined through sieve analysis. It is a method evaluates
the gradation of aggregate using a series of sieves. The results are then plotted on
to a semi-log aggregate gradation chart. This chart shows the particle size
distribution for any given aggregate and can then be better evaluated for its use
in Portland cement concrete and asphalt concrete. (ASTM C 136, AASHTO T-27)
According to the requirements of ASTM C 33(AASTHO M 6), the fineness modulus must
not be less than 2.3 nor more than 3.1, nor vary more than 0.2 from the typical value of the
aggregate source. If this value is exceeded, the fine aggregate should be rejected unless suitable
adjustments are made in proportions of fine and course aggregates.

The sieve analysis, commonly known as the gradation test, is a basic essential test for all
aggregate technicians. The sieve analysis determines the gradation (the distribution of aggregate
particles, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine compliance with design,
production control requirements, and verification specifications. The gradation data may be used
to calculate relationships between various aggregate or aggregate blends, to check compliance
with such blends, and to predict trends during production by plotting gradation curves
graphically, to name just a few uses. Used in conjunction with other tests, the sieve analysis is a
very good quality control and quality acceptance tool.

Accurate determination of material passing the No. 200 (75 µm) sieve cannot be made with this
test alone. This test is recommended to be used in conjunction with AASHTO T 11 to determine
the amount of material finer than the No. 200 (75 µm) sieve.

Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral
particles. Usually commercial sand is obtained from river beds or from sand dunes originally
formed by the action of winds. The usual particle size of sand grains is between 0.075 mm to
4.75 mm with further subdivision of coarse sand in range of 2 mm to 4.75 75 mm, medium sand
in range of 0.42 mm to 2 mm and fine sand in between 0.075 mm to 0.42 mm [1].

ASTM C 33 limits the amount of microfine aggregate smaller than 75 μm (No. 200 sieve) to be
used in concrete. In the past, it was believed that this fraction was clay and, therefore, a poor
performer. This is not necessarily the case with manufactured fine aggregates. While work
continues toward altering ASTM C 33 to allow a higher percentage of microfine aggregates,
there is need for a method of determining whether these microfines will have deleterious effects
or not.

AASTHO Designation: M6-93- "Standard Specification for Fine Aggregate For Portland Cement
Concrete"- It indicates that the fineness modulus of sand will not be less than 2.3 and nor more
than 3.1. Further, fine aggregate failing to meet the fineness modulus requirement as above may
be accepted, provided concrete made with similar fine aggregate from the same source has an
acceptable performance record in similar concrete construction; or in absence of a demonstrable
service record, provided, it is demonstrated that concrete of the class specified, made with the
fine aggregate under consideration, will have relevant properties at least equal to those of
concrete made with the same ingredients, with the exception that a reference fine aggregate be
used which is selected from a source having an acceptable performance record in similar
concrete construction.

ASTM Designation: C33-93- standard specification for concrete aggregates"–The fine aggregate
shall have not more than 45% passing any sieve and retained on the next consecutive sieve and
its fineness modulus will not be less than 2.3 and not more than 3.1. Rest is the same as for
AASTHO M6-93.
 Fineness modulus allows concrete contractors to effectively predict the amount of water
they’ll need to mix the concrete. It also paints an accurate picture of the concrete's workability,
which is measured in terms of slump value. Generally speaking, the higher the fineness modulus,
the higher the slump value — or in other words — the stiffer the concrete will be.

Fineness Modulus of Sand Affects Compressive and flexural strength of Concrete. Sand,
with higher FM, results in higher strength of concrete. It is evident by cost benefit ratio that
overall concrete mix is becoming economical if we use sand with higher FM. The results indicate
that with the increase in FM, workability gets affected considerably. The cement demand also
gets modified.

Note:

 As fineness modulus increases from 2.0 to 2.5 there is an increase in 28 days, flexural
strength from 3.82 to 4.25 MPa i.e. strength increases by 11.25%. On the other hand, by
increasing Fineness Modulus from 2.5 to 3, the strength increases from 4.25 to 4.81 MPa
resulting in 13.1% increase in strength.
 For Every 0.1 increase in FM of sand from 2.0 to 3.0, Flexural Strength increases by 2.1
to .5%. The increase in strength is more towards coarser side of sand.

ASTM C 33-03 requires that “aggregate for use in

concrete that will be subject to wetting, extended exposure to
humid atmosphere, or contact with moist ground shall not
contain any materials that are deleteriously reactive with the
alkalies in the cement in an amount sufficient to cause
excessive expansion except that if such materials are present
in injurious amounts, the aggregate may be used with a
cement containing less than 0.6 percent alkalies or with the
addition of a material that has been shown to prevent harmful
expansion due to the alkali-aggregate reaction”. According to
Neville (2011), the presence of a significant amount of
Assessment of Fine Aggregates from Different
Sources in Ibadan and Environs for Concrete
Production
W. O. Ajagbe1, M. A. Tijani2*, I. S. Arohunfegbe1, M. T. Akinleye2
1Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Adeleke University, P.M.B. 250, Ede,
Nigeria.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njtd.v15i1.2
8 NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT, VOL. 15, NO. 1,MARCH 2018

*Corresponding author’s e-mail address: [email protected]

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njtd.v15i1.2

organic impurities such as decayed vegetable matter in the

form of organic loam or humus in aggregate can lead to
concrete setting and hardening problems. Materials with
excessive amount of fines increase the overall surface area
and consequently bring about increase in the amount of water
required to wet all the particles in the mix, posing workability
problems (Neville, 2011). It was noted in BS 882 that
materials having lower or higher values could be used if an
evidence of satisfactory performance in use or a valid result
of trial mixes exists to justify their adoption.
Mehta and Monteiro (2001) stated that aggregates
exercise a significant influence on strength, dimensional
stability, and durability of concrete and in addition to these
important properties of hardened concrete, aggregates also
affect greatly the cost and workability of concrete mixtures.
Chen and Liu (2004) as well as Rao and Prasad (2002)
viewed aggregates as the skeleton of concrete and
consequently persuaded that all forms of coatings should be
avoided in order to achieve a good concrete.