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Fineness Modulus of Sand
Fineness Modulus of Sand
Figure 1
In general, FM defines how fine or coarse the sand is. A small number indicates fine sand; a large
number indicates coarse sand. For mix proportioning, fine sand would require more cement and a greater
tendency to develop cracks. A coarse sand will produce a concrete mixture that is harsh and difficult to
finish and will cause segregation.
For these reasons, ASTM C33 provides guidelines for gradation and FM for fine aggregates that
can be used in concrete; the recommended range for FM is 2.3 to 3.1. Table 1 presents the
recommended gradation limits.
Luke M. Snell and Brian Castles are Senior Materials Engineers for Western Technologies Inc.,
Phoenix, Arizona.
Sieve Size, mm
% Passing By Mass
9.5
4.75
2.36
1.16
0.60
0.30
0.15
100
95 100
80 100
50 85
25 60
5 30
0 10
Table 1
When developing a mixture proportions for concrete, the FM of the sand would be used to balance
the amount of coarse aggregate needed so that cement and water content is reduced. The Portland
Cement Association (PCA) recommends the volumes shown in Table 2 be used to develop mixture
proportions for a 25mm coarse aggregate.
FM of Sand
% Volume of
The Coarse Aggregate
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
71
69
67
65
Table 2
FM can also be used as a part of an aggregate production quality control program. FM values
plotted in a control chart provide a simple check of consistency of aggregate production. Table 2 is a
typical control chart from an aggregate production facility. ASTM C33 recommends that sand be rejected
or the mixture design be adjusted, if the FM varies more than 0.2.
Calculation of FM for a Washed Sand
Sieve, mm
Mass
Retained, gm
Individual %
Retained
Cumulative %
Retained
Used for
FM
4.75
2.36
2.00
1.18
0.600
0.425
0.300
0.150
Pan
Total
16.2
66.3
30.3
70.3
96.5
50.1
60.0
96.4
15.2
501.3
3
13
6
14
19
10
12
19
3
3
16
23
37
56
66
78
97
100
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Table 3
FM = (Sum of Cumulative % Retained on Selected Sieves) / 100
FM = (3 + 16 + 37 + 56 + 78 + 97) / 100 = 2.87
If the same sand (unwashed) were to be considered for use on the same project, the FM would be
calculated as shown following:
Mass
Retained, gm
Individual %
Retained
Cumulative %
Retained
Used for
FM
4.75
2.36
1.18
0.600
0.425
0.300
0.150
Pan
Total
16.2
66.3
100.6
96.5
50.1
110.1
96.4
71.1
557.2
3
12
18
17
10
20
17
13
3
15
33
50
66
70
87
100
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Table 4
FM = Sum of Cumulative % Retained On Selected Sieves = 258 = 2.58
100
100
Since the FM varies by more than 0.2, the unwashed sand should be rejected or the mixture design
would need to be adjusted.
FM is relatively simple to calculate and can be helpful to the concrete producer. By calculating the
FM, the concrete producer can develop a low cost mixture design. By continuously monitoring the FM, the
concrete producer can have a consistent quality of concrete.