Civil Engineering Materials

CVG2141 Section A

SIEVE ANALYSIS AND RELATIVE DENSITY OF FINE AGGREGATE

By Willian Bogorni Mossmann

7997643

Experiment performed in October 13th, 2015

Report due to October 27th, 2015

Teaching assistant:
Benot Pelletier

Group D1
Other members: Moosavi Karimi S. A., Moumouche Ettijaniya, Reyes Marvin James, Rodrigez
Nathan, Sly Daniel Mark, Walsh Chris, Wehb Wissam, Wu Shuand

Abstract

This lab report covers the presentation of the raw data collected during the Sieve analysis and
relative density of fine aggregate, as well as its analysis and conclusions. For the sieve analysis
both of the samples shown some kind of irregularity when compared with the standardized
tables and graphs. Source of errors such as accuracy of the scales, loss of the input mass and
error in determining the nominal size of the aggregate were considered. The irregularities
change from one kind of aggregate to another, the fine aggregate shown different only for the
smaller sieve opening, while the coarse aggregate didnt follow the standards in any case.
Graphs and Tables are present to easier visualization.

Table of Contents
Abstract

Objective

Theoretical Background

Material and Equipment

Analysis of Data

Discussion of Results

Conclusions and Recommendations

References

1. Objective
This experiments comes with the purpose of determining the particle size of both, fine and
coarse Aggregate, as well as the specific gravity/relative density of the sample of fine
aggregate, in order to plot and compare the graphs with the CSA standards.

2. Theoretical Background
In every civil engineering project, standards play a vital role in helping to address important
issues including safety, reliability, energy efficiency, durability and economy. These standards
cover not only the building processes, but also the building materials. For these lab the CSA
construction standards will be used in order to determine the physical properties of the fine and
coarse aggregate samples, as well as the relative density of the fine aggregate. The CSA A23.22A and 6A are the ones that are going to be used.
For the relative density of fine aggregate test, the following formulas of bulk and apparent
specific gravities will be needed:
BSGOD=(A)/(B+S-C)
ASG=(A)/(B+A-C)
Where:
A: Mass of the sand in the oven-dry condition;
B: Mass of the pycnometer filled with water until the calibration mark;
And C: Mass of the pycnometer filled with water and sand.
Also the actual moisture content of the sand must to be calculated according to:
MC(%)=((S-A)/A)*100

3. Material and Equipment

3.1 Material:
-Sand
-20-mm crushed limestone aggregate
3.2 Equipment
-Scales
-Small Sieves
-Sieve Shaker
-Pycnometer

4. Experimental Procedure
4.1 Sieve analysis
Firstly, the samples are weighted accurately to the tolerances of each type of aggregate (500g
to fine aggregate and 5kg of coarse aggregate. The next step is to place the sieves in order of
decreasing size of opening from top to bottom, the sieves opening is ruled according to CSA
A23.1.
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Secondly, with the samples prepared and the sieves properly ordered, the following action is to
place the samples separately on the top of the sieve and agitate the sieves for about 5 minutes.
Finally, all the portions retained in each sieve must be weighted.
4.2 Relative density of fine aggregate
It starts with the measurement of the weight of the pycnometer filled with water to a specific
calibration mark. This weight is then recorded as B. Following by this, comes the collection of
500g of sand in saturated surface-dry condition, recorded as S. Partially fill the pycnometer with
water and add the sand already weighted into the pycnometer. Fill with additional water and
agitate the apparatus in order to eliminate air bubbles, then add more water till it reaches the
same level of the calibration mark. The new weight (pycnometer+sand+water) must to be
recorded as C. The last step is to remove the sand and dry it. The weight of the sand under the
oven dry condition will then be recorded as A.

5. Analysis of Data
The data collected during the Sieve analysis experiment is the following:
Sieve
Size
(mm)

<0.15
Total

Mass retained
(g)
4.75

2.36

71.5

1.18

95

0.6

85

0.3

102

0.15

111
28

M (%)
0.60544
9
15.0353
2
34.2078
7
51.3622
6
71.9475
3
94.3491
4
100

Sieve
Size
(mm)

M (%)
Sampl
e

Max
CSA

Min
CSA

4.75

100

100

95

2.36

94.34

100

80

1.18

71.94

90

50

0.6

51.36

65

25

0.3

34.2

35

10

0.15
<0.15

15.03
0.6

10
3

2
0

495.5

Fine Aggregate
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
4.75

2.36

1.18
M (%) Sample

0.6
Max CSA

0.3

0.15

<0.15

Min CSA

Graph #1 Comparison of the data found in the experiment with the CSA Standards (Fine)
Where M (%) is the accumulative percentage of mass passing by each sieve.

Sieve
Mass retained
Size (mm) (g)
M(%)
20
400
8
12.5
1640
40.8
10
1220
65.2
5
1360
92.4
2.5
180
96
<2.5
200
100
Total

Sieve
Size
Max
Min
(mm)
M(%)
CSA
CSA
20
100
100
85
12.5
96
90
50
10
92.4
60
25
5
65.2
10
0
2.5
40.8
5
0
<2.5
0
0
0

5000

Coarse Aggregate
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
20

12.5

10
M(%)

5
Max CSA

2.5

<2.5

Min CSA

Graph #2 Comparison o the data found in the experiment with the CSA Standards (Coarse)
Where M (%) is the accumulative percentage of mass passing by each sieve.
Relative density of fine Aggregate
Calculate the bulk and apparent specific gravities of the sand
BSGOD=(A)/(B+S-C)
ASG=(A)/(B+A-C)
Where:
A: Mass of the sand in the oven-dry condition;
B: Mass of the pycnometer filled with water until the calibration mark;
And C: Mass of the pycnometer filled with water and sand.
BSGOD=312.5/195.5=1.598
ASG=312.5/8=39.0625

6. Discussion of Results
Both samples dont satisfy the gradation given by CSA A23.1.
For the fine aggregate, the input mass of 500g doesnt match with the output of 495.5g, this can
be a source of error when calculating the accumulated percentage in each sieve, the accuracy
of the scales, the particles held by the sieves are also source of errors that could lead us to
miscalculations.
For the coarse aggregate, the nominal size of the aggregate probably isnt 20mm, or the sample
is basically not following any standard because non of the cumulative percentages match with
the CSA standards.

7. Conclusions and Recommendations

With this test we were able to analyse and compare the fractions of the aggregates retained in
each sieve in the lab, with the gradation given by the CSA A23.1, after the collection of the raw
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data and its analysis we were able o conclude that non of the samples were following the
specifications.

8. References
1. LAB 2: SIEVE ANALYSIS & RELATIVE DENSITY OF FINE AGGREGATE Manual,
University of Ottawa, 2015