The document describes a lab experiment to analyze the particle size distribution of aggregate samples through sieve analysis. Sieve analysis involves separating aggregates by size using a set of sieves and analyzing the mass of material retained on each sieve. The experiment aims to determine gradation curves and fineness modulus for coarse and fine aggregates and ensure results meet ASTM specifications.
The document describes a lab experiment to analyze the particle size distribution of aggregate samples through sieve analysis. Sieve analysis involves separating aggregates by size using a set of sieves and analyzing the mass of material retained on each sieve. The experiment aims to determine gradation curves and fineness modulus for coarse and fine aggregates and ensure results meet ASTM specifications.
The document describes a lab experiment to analyze the particle size distribution of aggregate samples through sieve analysis. Sieve analysis involves separating aggregates by size using a set of sieves and analyzing the mass of material retained on each sieve. The experiment aims to determine gradation curves and fineness modulus for coarse and fine aggregates and ensure results meet ASTM specifications.
The document describes a lab experiment to analyze the particle size distribution of aggregate samples through sieve analysis. Sieve analysis involves separating aggregates by size using a set of sieves and analyzing the mass of material retained on each sieve. The experiment aims to determine gradation curves and fineness modulus for coarse and fine aggregates and ensure results meet ASTM specifications.
Materials of Construction Laboratory CE 326/Spring Semester 2023-2024
Experiment Name: Sieve Analysis of aggregate
Student Name:Eman Qasem Alqudah
Student Number: 2021990007
Submitted to: Eng. Saeed K. Thiabat
Submission Date: 4.mar.24
*Introduction Aggregates are inert materials which are mixed with binding materials such as cement or lime for manufacturing of mortar or concrete. Aggregates are used as filler in mortar and concrete. Aggregate size vary from several inches to the size of the smallest grain of sand. The aggregates (fine + coarse) generally occupy 60% to 75% of the concrete volume or 70% to 85% by mass and strongly influence the concrete's freshly mixed and hardened properties, mixture proportions, and economy. All aggregates pass IS: 4.75mm sieve is classified as fine aggregate. All aggregate technicians use the sieve analysis (gradation test) to determines the gradation (the particle size distribution, by size, within a given sample) in order to determine compliance with design, production control requirements, and verification specifications. Used in conjunction with other test, the sieve analysis is a very good quality control and quality acceptance tool. Gradation meaning the distribution of particle sizes within the total range of size. It can be identified on a graph as well graded, uniform, or gap graded (sometimes called skip graded: Well graded means sizes within the entire range are in approximately equal amounts, although there will be very small amount of the largest and smallest particles. Uniform gradation means that a large percentage of the particles are of the same size. Gap graded or skip graded means that most particles are of a large size or a small size with very few particles of an intermediate size.
*Objectives
This laboratory experiment is done:
To be able to determine the distribution of the particle size of a given soil sample. To determine the fineness modulus of fine and coarse aggregates in the laboratories. To be able to plot the gradation or grain size distribution curve of the soil sample. For the students to appreciate the materials used in the real structures and provide knowledge on how aggregates are used and tested *Materials
Course Aggregate Fine Aggregate
*Apparatus Mechanical sieve shaker Balance Sieves Pan
*Procedure 1.Sample material was collected
2.A representative portion of the sample was weighed using a balance.
3.The sieves are arranged in descending order of sieve size, with the largest sieve at the top and the smallest at the bottom.
4.The sample was placed on the upper sieve, and the sieve assembly was placed in the sieve shaker.
5.The sieve shaker was operated for a specified period (10 minutes) to ensure thorough sieving.
6.After sifting, the sieve is weighed with the sample remaining on it and we subtract the weight of the sieve to find out the exact weight of the sample.
7.Compute for the percentage of the aggregate passing each sieve.
8.Draw the Gradation Curve and compute for the fineness modulus for each aggregates. COARSE and FINE AGGREGATE
% Error = -0.00764 , Acceptable or not? why? Yes, its acceptable…..Its less than 0.3 (Note: The error must be less than 0.3% or test must be repeated.)
* Find the following:
Dmax 1’’
Dnominal 3/4"
* Fineness Modulus (FM): Sum of Percentage Cumulative Retained on Standard Sieves #4, # 8, # 16, # 30, # 50, & # 100 Divided by 100.
Fineness Modulus (FM) 5.124
* Graph: Draw the coarse and fine aggregate curves on the chart below. Also draw ASTM upper and lower limits. The results must be consistent with ASTM Specification [C33-99a]
a- For Fine aggregate:
Sieve No. Sieve Size % passing
3/4" 19 mm 100 No.4 4.75 mm 95-100 No.8 2.36 mm 80-100 No.16 1.18 mm 50-85 No.30 0.6 mm 25-60 No.50 0.3 mm 10-30 No.100 0.15 mm 2-10
b- For Coarse aggregate:
*Discussion 1) What is the grade for the coarse aggregate and fine aggregate samples?
Typically, aggregate particles can be mixed in three main ways: well-graded, gap-graded, and uniform-graded. In this well-graded mix, fine aggregate are thoroughly blended with various sizes, whereas in the case of gap-graded mix, course aggregate exhibit some size gaps.
2) Does the FM value occur within the ASTM specifications? Show how?
The Fineness Modulus (FM) of 5.124 isn't good for concrete according to ASTM C33, a common standard for building materials. Here's why:
ASTM C33 sets limits for how coarse or fine concrete sand (fine aggregate) should be.
These limits are based on a score called Fineness Modulus (FM). Imagine FM as a measure of sand grain sizes.
For good concrete, ASTM C33 says FM needs to be between 2.3 and 3.1.
But in this case, the FM of 5.124 is upper than the maximum acceptable value (3.1). So, the sand is likely too fine for strong concrete. 3)what is the importance of aggregate in concrete?
Volume Stabilization: Aggregates help prevent concrete from shrinking as it dries, reducing the risk of cracks. They provide stability, making the concrete more durable.
Strength Boost: Aggregates significantly impact concrete’s mechanical strength. They constitute 60-80% of the volume and 70-85% of the mass. Choosing the right aggregate blend ensures the desired strength and load-bearing capacity
Thermal and Elastic Properties: The type and quality of aggregates affect how concrete handles temperature changes. Properly selected aggregates contribute to overall structural performance.
Shape Maintenance: Aggregates help concrete elements maintain their shape and dimensions. They prevent excessive expansion or contraction due to temperature variations.
Cost Savings: Picking the right aggregate size can save costs. Larger coarse aggregates reduce the need for expensive cement. Plus, less water is required with larger aggregates, minimizing shrinkage and cracks
Quality Matters: High-quality aggregates are crucial. They should be clean, hard, strong, and free from harmful substances. Regular testing ensures consistent performance. Sample of Calculations: (For your group only)
*Conclusion The sieve analysis experiment provides valuable information regarding the particle size distribution of the aggregate sample. The results obtained can be used to evaluate the suitability of the aggregate for various construction applications and to optimize concrete mix designs.
Based on the data and results of this experiment, the collected fine aggregate sample's Percentage Fineness somehow lies within the standard boundaries whereas the coarse aggregate sample's Percentage Fineness values are exceedingly outside the boundaries. We may infer that the fine aggregate samples are almost well-graded (GW) and the coarse aggregate samples are gap-graded.
