LAB 2 Matmat
LAB 2 Matmat
Date: 03/07/2025
Course, Year and Section: BSCE-II FGLM2 Instructor: Mark Chrysler F. Valeros
Subject Code and Description: CE103 – Construction Materials Rating:
and Testing
Objectives: This laboratory exercise aims to determine the particle size distribution of coarse
aggregate by sieving.
Equipment/Apparatus:
Balance
Set of sieves (37.5mm, 25mm, 20mm, 16mm, 12.75mm, 10mm, and 4.75mm)
pan
scoop
cleaning brush
sieve shaker
Sample:
The coarse aggregate sample shall be obtained in accordance with AASHTO T2 (Sampling of
Aggregates) and reduced in accordance with AASHTO T248 (Reducing Field Sample of Aggregates
to Test Size).
Procedure:
1. Take 5kg of coarse aggregate sample and record in the data sheet.
2. Make sure that all the sieves are clean, and assemble them in the ascending order of sieve
numbers (sieve with largest opening at the top and the sieve with the smallest opening at
bottom). Place the pan below the smallest size sieve.
3. Carefully pour the sample into the top sieve and place the lid over it.
4. Place the sieve stack in the mechanical shaker and shake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the stack from the shaker and carefully weigh the retained aggregates in each
sieve including the retained aggregates in the pan. Record in the data sheet.
6. Obtain the mass of aggregate retained on each sieve by subtracting the weight of the
empty sieve from the mass of the sieve + retained aggregate, and record this mass as the
weight initial mass of the soil sample. A loss of more than two percent is unsatisfactory.
7. Calculate the percent retained in each sieve by dividing the weight retained on each sieve
by the original sample mass.
8. Calculate the percent passing by starting with 100 percent and subtracting the percent
retained on each sieve as a cumulative procedure.
SIEVE ANALYSIS COARSE AGGREGATES
DATA SHEET
Data:
SOLUTION:
Total Mass = 5000g
Moisture Content = 1.41%
Coarse and Fine Aggregates Mass = Total mass – Moisture Content
- The results of the sieve analysis show that the sample mainly consists of
coarse aggregates, with a significant amount retained in the 12.5 mm and 9.5
mm sieves. The cumulative percentage retained suggests that the sample falls
within acceptable grading limits, ensuring a well-balanced distribution of particle
sizes. The percent passing values decrease as the sieve openings get smaller,
which is a typical trend for well-graded aggregates.
Well-graded aggregates are important in construction because they
improve workability and contribute to the strength and durability of concrete and
other structural materials. The grading curve created from the data shows a
steep rise at certain sieve sizes, indicating that most of the material falls within a
specific size range. This means the aggregate has a good balance of coarse and
fine particles, which helps with proper packing and interlocking.
Conclusion: