SCOPE

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.

NOTE: 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.

SUMMARY OF TEST

A known weight of material, the amount being determined by the largest size of aggregate, is

placed upon the top of a group of nested sieves (the top sieve has the largest screen openings and

the screen opening sizes decrease with each sieve down to the bottom sieve which has the

smallest opening size screen for the type of material specified) and shaken by mechanical means

for a period of time. After shaking the material through the nested sieves, the material retained

on each of the sieves is weighed.

The cumulative method requires that each sieve beginning at the top be placed in a previously

weighed pan (known as the tare weight), weighed, the next sieve's contents added to the pan, and

the total weighed. This is repeated until all sieves and the bottom pan have been added and

weighed.

https://www.in.gov/indot/div/mt/aashto/testmethods/aashto_t27.pdf

Sieve analysis is the method of dividing a sample of aggregates into various fractions each consisting of
particles of same size. The sieve analysis is carried out to determine the particle size distribution in a
sample of aggregate, which we call Gradation. The aggregate fraction from 4.75 to 75 micron is referred
to as fine aggregates. Fine aggregate is the sand used in mortars, coarse aggregates is the broken stone
or gravel, and all in one aggregate is the combination of fine and coarse aggregates. The coarse
aggregates unless mixed with fine aggregates do not produce good quality of concrete.
Grading pattern of a sample is found out by sieving a sample successively through the entire sieve set
mounted one over the other in order of size, with largest sieve on the top. The material retained on
each sieve after shaking, represents the fraction of aggregates coarser than the below sieve. Sieving can
be done either manually or mechanically. Fineness modulus is just a numerical index value of fineness
giving some idea of the mean size of particles in the entire body of aggregates. Determination of
fineness modulus may be considered as a method of standardization of the grading of aggregates. It is
calculated by sieving a known mass of given aggregates on a set of standard sieves and by adding the
cumulative percentages of mass of material retained on all the sieves and divide the total percentage by
100.

https://allaboutcivilengg.com/sieve-analysis-of-fine-aggregates-2/

Sieve Analysis:

Sieve analysis or mechanical straining is the process of determining the relative

proportion of various particle sizes in an aggregate sample by passing the sample
through a stack of standard sieves arranged in descending order of their opening sizes.

The weights retained on each sieve are noted and the cumulative percentage of sample
passing through each sieve is calculated. Finally, a semi-logarithmic graph called
gradation curve or ‘particle-size distribution curve’ is plotted, taking particle size as
abscissa and cumulative percentage passing as ordinate.

It is to be kept in mind that gradation curves for coarse and fine aggregates are plotted
separately and the samples are qualified or fall short of acceptability based on the
standard’s criteria of gradation.

Importance of performing sieve analysis (APPLICATIVE)

Aggregates when used for construction activities are supposed to meet some gradation
requirements imposed by the standard. Therefore, the performance of sieve analysis
helps in qualifying an aggregate sample as fit for use.

Sieve analysis also helps in determining the fineness modulus of aggregates which
proves instrumental in telling whether an aggregate sample is well-graded or not. In
addition, the fineness modulus also indicates the surface area of the aggregate
particles. However, there exists an inverse relation between aggregate surface area and
the fineness modulus.

https://constructionhow.com/sieve-analysis-of-coarse-and-fine-aggregates/
Sieve analysis or gradation test is one of the most basic procedure in Civil engineering to
determine the particle size distribution of a given sample (mostly sand). The gradation test
is majorly used for design purposes, for example:

Concrete mix designs can be influenced by the size of coarse aggregate to be used.

Gradation test can also be used to predict the performance of a given soil sample

Foundations analysis is dependent on the particle size distribution of the soil

A sound knowledge of particle size distribution can be used to influence the amount of
coarse aggregate to be used for a particular job. It will have effects on estimation

(Are Afeez Olabamiji, B.ENG from University of Benin (Graduated 2013)

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-sieve-analysis-used-in-civil-engineering

2. Importance of Sieve Analysis (APPLICATIVE)

The primary objective of sieve analysis is to classify the soil particles based on
their size of particles.

The main importance of sieve analysis in civil engineering can be listed as

follows:

1. It is necessary for design purposes. The process of concrete mix design is

greatly influenced by the size of coarse aggregates to be used.

2. It is necessary to predict the quality and performance of the soil sample.

3. The analysis of foundations of structures is also dependent on the particle

size distribution of the soil.

4. Sieve analysis is necessary for determining the fineness modulus of

aggregates.

5. Sieve analysis is also important in the design of pavements.

https://dreamcivil.com/sieve-analysis/

LINK FOR COMPUTATIONS: SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS

AND THEORY OF DISCUSSION
https://uta.pressbooks.pub/soilmechanics/chapter/sieve-
analysis/#:~:text=Sieve%20analysis%20is%20a%20method,size%20distribution%20of%20finer%20soil.
RESULTS OF GRAPH: OBSERVATION AND
INTERPRETATION

https://blog.wstyler.com/particle-analysis/particle-size-distribution-
curve#:~:text=The%20curve%20illustrates%20either%20the,every%20time%20you%20run%20it.\
CONCLUSION APPLICATIVE:
https://www.coursehero.com/file/pugfmo/CONCLUSION-In-this-laboratory-exercise-Sieve-Analysis-of-Fine-and-
Coarse/