test procedure - 1 -

1. SIEVE ANALYSIS


Introduction

Sieve analysis are made by passing the dried aggregates through a series of test sieves to find the particle size
distribution of aggregates


Aim

To determine the distribution of particle size of aggregate content, according to BS 812: Part 103.1: 1989 and BS
882: 1993


MATERIAL SAMPLING: (BS812 Part102 1989)

Comply with BS812 Part 102 1989, the minimum number of sampling increments are as follow:

Nominal size oI aggregate (mm) Minimum mass Ior normal density aggregate
(kg)
28 or larger 50
5 to 28 25
5 and smaller 10

And the taken sample shall be reduced by sample divider or quartering method, until the required mass of sample
is obtained.


test procedure - 2 -
MATERIAL SAMPLES FOR TEST: (BS 812 Part 103.1 1985)

1. The nominal description of the material sampled shall be recorded on the result.
2. Comply with BS812 Part 103.1 1985, the minimum mass of test portion for sieving are:

Nominal size oI material
(mm)
63 50 40 28 20 14 10 6 5 3 <3
Minimum mass oI test portion
(kg)
50 35 15 5 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1


APPARATUS:

1. A sample divider
2. A ventilated oven (105 5C)
3. A digital scale (accurate to 0.1g)
4. B. S. test sieves placed
5. A mechanical sieve shaker
6. Trays
7. Brushes

test procedure - 3 -
1.1 DRY SIEVE METHOD
(PARTICLES DISTRIBUTION OF FINE AND COARSE AGGREGATES)


Procedure

1. Prepare samples

2. All readings have to be marked down on the analysis report.

3. Dry the required mass of aggregate sample by heating at a temperature (105 5C) for 24 hours. Allow to
cool, weigh and record the total mass.

4. Take the clean and dry sieves set as described before, and to place the sieves set on the mechanical shaker.

5. Place the dried aggregate sample on the top coarsest sieves and cover with the fitting lid.
6. Tighten the sieves set by the holding rods and plate.

7. Adjust the shaker`s timer to about ten minutes and turn it on for sieving.

8. When the shaker stopped, put all sample in separate sieve to separate dry and clean trade. Do not force
materials through the sieve by hand pressure, you can use a brush to clean the materials retained in the
sieves very carefully.

9. Weigh and record all mass of materials retained in each sieve and the receiver. So you can calculate the
total percentage passing of each sieve.

10. Now, you can show the character of your sample by an attached semi-logarithmic chart.
test procedure - 4 -
1.2 WET SIEVE METHOD
(SILT AND CLAY CONTENT OF AGGREGATES)

To determine silt and clay content of a sample aggregate in according to BS 812 Part 103.1 1985
This procedure involving wet sieving is known as the standard method and is preferred to dry sieving for all
gravel, coarse aggregates and fines, which must from prior knowledge give the same results by either method. BS
812 Part 103.1 1985 states that the method covers the quantitative determination of the particle size
distribution in a aggregate down to the fine sand size`.
Wet sieving removes the silt and clay fractions, so their combined mass is determined by the difference between
the initial total mass if the sample and the sum of the masses retained on each of the test sieves. In the case of dry
sieving the fines` may adhere to larger particles and produce misleading results.

Procedure:

1. Wet both sides of a 75 m test sieve and fit a nesting guard sieve (e.g. 1.18mm) on top reserved for use.

2. Place the weighed oven dried test portion in a container and add sufficient water to half fill the container.
Agitate the contents so that particles smaller than 75 m are completely separated from coarser particles.

3. Pour the suspension of fine solids on to the guarded 75 m test sieve.

4. Continue washing the coarse residue until the water passing the test sieve is clear and then wash all the
residues from the container and sieve(s) into the tray.

5. Remove excess free water by careful decantation through the test sieve, avoiding transfer of solids and dry
the residue in the oven at 105 5 C for 24 hours. Cool, weigh and record as

is the total weight

of dry sample).

6. Determine the mass of material passing the test sieve as

test procedure - 5 -
1.3 DETERMINATE THE MOISTURE CONTENT IN THE SOIL BY
SPEEDY

To determine the moisture in soils by the use of a calcium carbide gas pressure moisture tester, commonly called
the Speedy Moisture Tester.
Workability tests are often used as an indirect check on the water content and, therefore, on the water/cement
ratio of the concrete. In this instance, the relationship between w/c ratio and workability is established early in the
site works; then, by maintaining the correct proportions of cement and aggregates at a constant workability, the
measurements of aggregate moisture are considered to check that the mix proportions are correct.


Procedure

1. Weigh the material by the balance.

2. Clean the 'Speedy and the inside of cap.

3. Take 3 full measuring scoop of 'Speedy Absorbent and place in the body of 'Speedy.

4. Place the sample of material in the cap of 'Speedy.

5. Hold 'Speedy horizontal to prevent material and Absorbent mixing before the instrument is sealed. Place
cap in position. Bring stirrup round and tighten top screw.

6. With dial downwards shake the 'Speedy up and down violently for 3 seconds, and then quickly turn
'Speedy so that dial is upwards and given a tap to body of 'Speedy to ensure that all of contents fall
into cap. Hold or stand 'Speedy in this position for 1 minute.

7. Turn 'Speedy with dial downwards and shake violently up and down for 3 second, then turn 'Speedy
with dial upwards and tap. Hold or stand for 1 minute. Repeat this for the third time.

8. Turn 'Speedy to horizontal position with dial facing you at eye level. When the needle comes to rest,
take the reading.

9. Release pressure slowly away from you, empty contents and clean out 'Speedy with brush provided.











test procedure - 6 -
Tensile Test Experiment

Objectives:

1 To determine the tensile properties oI commonly used building materials when subjected to
tensions.

2, To observe the character oI Iailure oI the material.

Apparatus:

'HounsIield universal testing machine system

Procedure

1. Determine the average cross-sectional dimension oI the specimens by measuring average
diameter at diIIerent locations.

2. Study the operation oI the tensile testing machine and computing Iacilities careIully.

3. By means oI a marking gauge, in the mid-portion oI the specimen.

4. Using manual control, move the crosshead oI the machine to a suitable position and mound the
specimen.

5. Using the computer to operation and apply loiad to the specimen until it breaks.

6. Remove the broken specimen Irom the machine. Eit the broken parts together and measure the
new length between the marks on each side oI the Iracture.

7. Observe the location and character oI the Iracture.

Report

1. Limit oI proportionality

2. Yield stress

3. Ultimate tensile strength

4. Eracture strength

5. Elastic Limit

6. Elastic modulus (DeIinition is required at present stage)

7. Percentage oI elongation


test procedure - 7 -

test procedure - 8 -



test procedure - 9 -

SIEVE ANALYSIS (BS812 Part102 1989, BS 812 Part 103.1 1985 & BS 882 1992)


Table 3. Coarse aggregate
Sieve size Percentage by mass passing BS sieves for nominal sizes
Graded aggregates Single-sized aggregate
40mm to
5mm
20mm to
5mm
14mm to
5mm
40mm 20mm 14mm 10mm 5mm


50.0 mm 100 - - 100 - - - -
37.5 mm 90 to
100
100 - 85 to
100
100 - - -
20.0 mm 35 to 70 90 to
100
100 0 to 25 85 to
100
100 - -
14.0 mm 25 to 55 40 to 80 90 to
100
- 0 to 70 85 to
100
100 -
10.0 mm 10 to 40 30 to 60 50 to 85 0 to 5 0 to 25 0 to 50 85 to
100
100
5.0 mm 0 to 5 0 to 10 0 to 10 - 0 to 5 0 to 10 0 to 25 45 to
100
2.36 mm - - - - - - 0 to 5 0 to 30

Used mainly in precast concrete products.

Eor heavy-duty concrete floor finishes, the sand shall comply with C or M given in table 4.

Table 4. Sand
Sieve size Percentage by mass passing BS sieve
Overall limits Additional limits for grading
C M F
10.00 mm 100 - - -
5.00 mm 89 to 100 - - -
2.36 mm 60 to 100 60 to 100 65 to 100 80 to 100
1.18 mm 30 to 100 30 to 90 45 to 100 70 to 100
600 m 15 to 100 15 to 54 25 to 80 55 to 100
300 m 5 to 70 5 to 40 5 to 48 5 to 70
150 m 0 to 15

- - -


Increased to 20 % for crushed rock fines, except when they are used for heavy duty floors.

NOTE. Individual sands may comply with the requirements of more than one grading. Alternatively some sands may
satisfy the overall limits but may not fall within any one of the additional limits C, M or E. In this case and where sands
do not comply with table 4 an agreed grading envelope may also be used provided that the supplier can satisfy the
purchaser that such materials can produce concrete of the required quality.
test procedure - 10 -
Table 5. All-in aggregate

Sieve size Percentage by mass passing BS sieves for nominal sizes

40 mm 20 mm 10 mm 5 mm


50.0 mm 100 - - -
37.5 mm 95 to 100 100 - -
20.0 mm 45 to 80 95 to 100 - -
14.0 mm - - 100 -
10.0 mm - - 95 to 100 100
5.00 mm 25 to 50 35 to 55 30 to 65 70 to 100
2.36 mm - - 20 to 50 25 to 100
1.18 mm - - 15 to 40 15 to 45
600 m 8 to 30 10 to 35 10 to 30 5 to 25
300 m - - 5 to 15 3 to 20
150 m 0 to 8
2 )
0 to 8
2 )
0 to 8
2 )
0 to 15

Used mainly in precast concrete products.

Increased to 10 % for crushed rock sand.

When determined in accordance with 7.2.1 of BS 812: Section 103.1: 1985, the amount of material passing the 75 m
sieve shall not exceed the quantities given in table 6.

Table 6. Fines

Aggregate type Percentage by mass passing 75 m sieve
(max.)
Uncrushed, or crushed gravel coarse aggregate

Crushed rock aggregate
2


4
Uncrushed, partially crushed or crushed gravel sand

Crushed rock sand

Gravel all-in aggregate

Crushed rock all-in aggregate
4


16 (9 for use in heavy duty floor finishes)

3

11
Note. The nature of the fines can vary between different aggregates. The limits given above are appropriate for most
aggregates found in the UK. Evidence of performance in use or the result of trial mixes may be used to justify the
adoption of higher or lower limits.