Laboratory Exercise No.

2
Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate

Name: Franklyn A. Mendez

Course & Section: BSCE-2D
Date: February 24, 2025 Instructor’s
Initial:___________

Discussion:
The sieve analysis is used to determine the particle size distribution or gradation of an
aggregate. A suitable gradation of an aggregate in a concrete mix is desirable in order to
secure workability of concrete mix and economy in the use of cement. For asphalt concrete,
suitable gradation will not only affect the workability of the mixture and economy in the use
of asphalt, but will affect significantly the strength and other important properties.
The sieve analysis of an aggregate is performed by “sifting” the aggregate through a
series of sieves nested in order, with smallest opening at the bottom. These sieves have
square openings and are usually constructed of wire mesh. In the testing of concrete
aggregates, there is generally employed a series of sieves in which any sieves in the series has
twice the clear opening of the next smaller size in the series. The U.S. Standard Sieve Series
and the clear opening of the sieve are given below:

U.S Standard Sieve Size Clear Opening (in.)

No.100 0.0059
No.50 0.0117
No.30 0.0232
No.16 0.0469
No. 8 0.0937
No. 4 0.187
3/8” 0.375
½”(half size) 0.500
¾” 0.750
1 in. (half size) 1.000
1 ½ in. 1.500

Sometimes closer sizing than is given by the standard series is desired, in which case
“half size or odd” sizes are employed; the ½ in. and 1 in. shown are half size.
Coarse aggregate is usually considered to be larger and fine aggregates smaller than
#4 sieve. Thus, all series need to be used physically in the nest but are still considered in the
analysis. For example, sieve larger than 3/8 in. is not used for the sand and sieve smaller than
No. 8 are seldom used for gravel.
The fineness modulus is an index number, which is roughly proportional to the
average size of the particles in a given aggregate. It is computed by adding the cumulative
percentages coarser than each of certain sieves and dividing by 100.
(Note: Even though some material may be retained on the pan, it is not considered a sieve and
does not enter into computations for fineness modulus. In addition, if sieves other than those
standard sieves listed above are used, they are not used, they are not used directly in the
computations and any material retained on such sieves should be considered as being retained
on the next smaller sieve of the series used in the computations e.g. any material retained on a
1 in. sieve would be added to the ¾ in. sieve for purposes of fineness modulus computation.
However, the amount and percentage of the 1 in. material would appear in the tabular listing
in the sieve analysis
The following illustration the calculations of the fineness modulus:

Sieve No. Weight Retained Cumulative Weight % Cumulative

Retained Retained
4 30 30 9.7
8 40 70 22.6
10 30 100 --*
16 30 130 42.0
30 35 165 53.3
50 45 210 67.8
80 40 250 --*
100 50 300 96.8
Pan 10 310 100

Fineness modulus of sand = 9.7 + 22.6 + 42.0 + 53.3 + 67.8 + 96.8 = 2.92
100
“odd” sieves not used directly in fineness modulus calculations.
An interpretation of the fitness modulus might be that it represents the (weighted)
average of the group upon which the material is retained, NO. 100 being the first, NO. 50
second, etc. thus for the sand with FM of 3.00, sieve NO.30 (the third sieve) would be the
average sieve size upon which the aggregate is retained.
Objective: To determine the particle size distribution of coarse aggregate by sieving.
Referenced Documents: ASTM (136-96a, C 702, e 11, D 75)
AASHTO (T 27-91, T 11- 65)
Apparatus:
1. Balance, accurate to 0.1 g
2. Set of sieves with pan and cover
3. Mechanical sieve shaker (optional)
4. Brush
5. Oven
Procedure:
1. Obtain the representative sample by quartering or by the use of sample splitter. The
sample to the tested should be 2.5 kilograms of coarse aggregate.
2. Dry the sample to constant temperature in the oven at a temperature 110±5°C (230
±41°F)

3. Assemble the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and
place sample on the top of the sieve and cover it with the lid.
a. For coarse aggregate: 1”, ¾’’,1/2’’, 3/8’’, #4, #8, pan

4. Agitate the sieve by hand or by mechanical shaker for five minutes or for a sufficient
period.

5. Limit the quantity of material on a given sieve so that all the particles have
opportunity to reach sieve openings a number of times during the sieving operations.
For the sieve with openings smaller than No. 4 (4.75 mm), the weight retained on any
sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed 6 k/m 2 of sieving
surface. For the sieve with openings No. 4 (4.75 mm) and larger, the weight in kg/m 2
of the sieving surface shall not exceed the product of 2.5 x (sieve opening in mm). In
no case shall the weight be so great as to cause permanent deformation of the sieve
cloth.

6. Continue sieving for sufficient period in such a manner that, after completion, not
more than 0.5 percent by weight of the total sample passes any sieve during one (1)
minute of continuous hand sieving.

7. Weigh the material that is retained on each sieve, including the weight retained in the
pan, and record in the data sheet. The total weight of the material after sieving should
check closely with original sample placed on the sieve. Of the sum of these weights is
not within 1 percent (0.3 for ASTM requirement) of the original sample, the
procedure should be repeated.

8. Compute the cumulative percent retained on, and percent passing each sieve.

9. Plot the gradation curves for the coarse aggregates from the experiment on the graph
provided. Plot the specified gradation curves for coarse aggregates (to be specified by
the laboratory instructor).

10. Compute the Fineness Modulus for coarse aggregate.

DOCUMENTATION:

Figure 1. Figure 2.

`
Shaking the set of sieves using a mechanical
shaker for 5 minutes.

Stacking the set of sieves in the mechanical

shaker and placing the aggregates at the
topmost sieve.

Figure 3. Figure 4.

Aggregates are separated according to sieve

size retained.
 Weighing the
aggregates retained for each sieve.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SIEVE ANALYSIS DATA SHEET

Name: Franklyn A. Mendez Group No.: 2

COARSE AGGREGATE
Initial Weight: 2.5kg

Sieve Weight Cum. Weight Cum. Percent Percent

No. Retained Retained Retained Passing
1” 0.6425 0.6425 25.68% 74.32%
¾“ 1.0725 1.715 68.54% 31.46%
½“ 0.7507 2.4657 98.56% 1.44%
 3/8 “ 0.0304 2.4967 99.76% 0.24%
4 0.0055 2.5016 99.98% 0.02%
8 0.0001 2.5017 99.98% 0.02%
Pan 0.0004 2.5021 100% 0
TOTAL 2.5021

Fineness modulus of coarse aggregate = 25.68 + 68.54 + 98.56 + 99.76 + 99.98 + 99.98
=4.93
100

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING LABORATORY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SIEVE ANALYSIS
Name: MJ B. LEDESMA Date: 02-24-25
Group No.:2

GRADATION CURVE
100.00%
80.00%
Percent Passing

60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
0.00%0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20

Sieve size (inches)

Legend:
Sieve Number: Sieve Size (inches)
No. 8 0.09
No. 4 0.187
3/8” 0.375
½” 0.5
¾” 0.75
OBSERVATION 1” 1

Following the above-mentioned processes, we were able to gather coarse aggregates

with a particular size distribution. Little to no further aggregates moved from Sieve No. 4 to
Sieve No. 8, with the majority of the coarse aggregate remaining on the sieve ¾".
Additionally, it was discovered that the majority of the aggregates that were obtained and
kept in the ¾" sieve weighed 1.0725 kg. Additionally, the gradient curve is sharp in
representation because the number rises suddenly from a sieve size of ¾".
CONCLUSION
we were able to gather information and ascertain the coarse aggregates' particle size
distribution through sieving after doing the sieve analysis. Additionally, we calculated the
percentage of coarse aggregates that passed and those that were held in various sieve sizes.
Based on the fact that 1.0725 kg of sample aggregates were retained in the specified screen
size, we concluded that the maximum number of sample aggregates was ¾" in size.
Due to the spherical shape of the coarse materials we purchased, nearly 0% of the aggregates
went through filter sizes No. 4 to No. 8. Accordingly, the sample aggregates have an average
size of ¾ inches based on the data collected and calculated.

APPENDICES
ASTM (136-96a)
Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the particle size distribution of fine and
coarse aggregates by sieving.
1.2 Some specifications for aggregates which reference this method contain grading
requirements including both coarse and fine fractions. Instructions are included for sieve
analysis of such aggregates.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses
are provided for information purposes only. Specification E11 designates the size of sieve
frames with inch units as standard, but in this test method the frame size is designated in SI
units exactly equivalent to the inch units.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM (C 702)
Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
Significance and Use
4.1 Specifications for aggregates require obtaining representative portions of the supply
material for testing. Other factors being equal, larger samples will tend to be more
representative of the total supply. This practice provides procedures for reducing the large
sample obtained in the field, or produced in the laboratory, to a convenient size for
conducting a number of descriptive and quality tests. Failure to carefully follow the
procedures in this practice could result in providing a non-representative sample to be used in
subsequent testing. The individual test methods provide for minimum amount of material to
be tested.
4.2 Under certain circumstances, reduction in size of the large sample prior to testing is not
recommended. Substantial differences between the selected test samples sometimes cannot be
avoided, for example, in the case of an aggregate having relatively few large size particles in
the sample. The laws of chance dictate that these few particles may be unequally distributed
among the reduced size test samples. Similarly, if the test sample is being examined for
certain contaminants occurring in only small percentages, caution should be used in
interpreting results from the reduced size test sample. Chance inclusion or exclusion of only
one or two particles in the selected test sample may importantly influence interpretation of
the characteristics of the original sample. In these cases, the entire original sample should be
tested.
ASTM (e11)
Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
Abstract
ASTM Standard E11 covers the requirements for sieve cloth, as well as for the design and
construction of test sieves, that are used to classify materials by particle size. Sieving is
commonly employed in both laboratory and production environments for particle analysis
and size distribution.
Standard E11 specifies 3 different tolerances for the sieve cloth openings; the average, the
maximum, and the maximum standard deviation of the openings. Further, 3 different
sampling confidence levels are applied for Compliance, Inspection and Calibration test
sieves; with Calibration sieves having at least twice as many openings measured as
Inspection sieves.
The Specification Annex discusses in detail the proper procedure for the inspection of the
sieve cloth and the test sieve, to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the
specification.
A recent analysis per revision E11-24 indicated over 95% of the opening inspection data sets
exhibited distribution normality, which confirmed the use of Gaussian normal distribution
statistical techniques are valid and appropriate for the maximum standard deviation
tolerances.
ASTM (D 75)
Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
Significance and Use
4.1 Sampling is equally as important as the testing, and the sampler shall use every
precaution to obtain samples that will show the nature and condition of the materials which
they represent.
4.2 Samples for preliminary investigation tests are obtained by the party responsible for
development of the potential source (Note 3). Samples of materials for control of the
production at the source or control of the work at the site of use are obtained by the
manufacturer, contractor, or other parties responsible for accomplishing the work. Samples
for tests to be used in acceptance or rejection decisions by the purchaser are obtained by the
purchaser or his authorized representative.
Note 3: The preliminary investigation and sampling of potential aggregate sources and types
occupies a very important place in determining the availability and suitability of the largest
single constituent entering into the construction. It influences the type of construction from
the standpoint of economics and governs the necessary material control to ensure durability
of the resulting structure, from the aggregate standpoint. This investigation should be done
only by a responsible, trained, and experienced person.