Practical 2: Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregates

REFERENCES
 IS: 383, “Specification for Coarse and Fine aggregates from natural sources for
concrete”, 1970.

OBJECTIVE
 To perform sieve analysis of fine aggregates.

BACKGROUND
 The grading of fine aggregates, when determined as described in IS: 2386 (Part I)-1963
shall be within the limits and shall be described as fine aggregates.

 If combined aggregates are available they need not be separated into fine and coarse, but
necessary adjustments may be made in the grading by the addition of single-sized
aggregates.

 The size distribution is often of critical importance the way material performed in use.

 For this, it is required that the aggregates shall be first separated into two fractions, one
finer than 4.75 mm IS Sieve and the other coarser than 4.75 mm IS Sieve.

 Sieve analysis of aggregate is a practical or procedure used to access the particle size
distribution of a granular material.

 The sieve analysis can be performed on any type of organic or inorganic granular
material including senols, crushed rocks, clay, granite, soil.
 Being such a simple technique of practical sizing, its probability is the most common.
 The Fineness Modulus of fine aggregates is always less than that of coarse aggregates. It
has the following range to classify.

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APPARATUS
 Sieve shaker.
 Coarse and fine aggregates.
 Digital weight scale
 IS Std. Sieve size (4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.15 mm).

Fig. 1: Sieves

Fig. 2: Sieve Shaker

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PROCEDURE
Fine Aggregates
Fine aggregate means the aggregate which passes through 4.75mm sieve.
1. Take sample of fine aggregates.
2. Arrange the sieves in descending order, sieve it for 5 minutes.
3. The amount of sand retained on each sieve is weighed.
4. Percentage distribution of grain is completed.

SIEVE ANALYSIS

Sample details: _______________________

Weight of sample taken for sieve analysis: _______________________

Weight Cumulative
IS Std. Sieve Retained in Weight Retained Percent (%) Percent (%)
Size (gm) (gm) Weight Retained Weight Passing

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Fineness modulus of coarse aggregates = Σ (Cumulative % retained)
100
= ____________________

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
Table 1: Fineness Modulus range

Type of sand Fineness Modulus range (mm)

Fine sand 2.2 – 2.6
Medium sand 2.6 – 2.9
Coarse sand 2.9 – 3.2

 According to class defined, it is further classified into zone of sand.

Table 2: Gradation of sand

Percentage Passing for

Sieve Size Grading Grading Grading Grading
Zone-I Zone-II Zone-III Zone-IV
10 mm 100 100 100 100

4.75 mm 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100 95 – 100

2.36 mm 60 – 95 75 – 100 85 – 100 95 – 100

1.18 mm 30 – 70 55 – 90 75 – 100 90 – 1000

600 micron 15 – 34 35 – 59 60 – 79 80 – 100

300 micron 5 – 20 8 – 30 12 – 40 15 – 50

150 micron 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 10 0 – 15

CONCLUSION

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