Table of Contents

1.0 Individual background information................................................................2

2.0 Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates................................................7
2.1 Objective of the experiment........................................................................7
2.2 Equipment and material..............................................................................7
2.3 Experiment procedures...............................................................................8
2.4 Experiment results.......................................................................................9
2.5 Discussion..................................................................................................10
2.6 Conclusion.................................................................................................11
3.0 References....................................................................................................12

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1.0 Individual background information
NAME: AW TJIA TJIE
STUDENT ID: 19WVD04390
A sieve analysis, which is also known as gradation test, is a practice or produce used
(commonly used in civil engineering) to assess the particle size distribution (also called
gradation) of a granular material. The experiments described in this paper were undertaken
primarily for the purpose of measuring the quality of work done in screening and sorting in
American concentrating-mills for Prof. Richards’ work on Ore-Dressing. For this purpose, a
series of samples of screened and sorted products was obtained from four different mills, and
a plan was devised for sizing these products, and for tabular and graphic representation of the
results. The results, together with discussions as to their significance, so far as they serve to
interpret the quality of mill-work, have already been published in the above-mentioned work,
and it is not the purpose of this paper to duplicate the work, except so far as is necessary to
explain and illustrate methods and appliances.
The objective of the sieve analysis is the operation of determining the particle size
distribution of fine and coarse aggregate. It is also the operation of dividing the aggregates
into various fraction, each consisting of particles of the same size for grading of the materials
proposed. Moreover, the function of sieve analysis performed on coarse and fine aggregates
is to check their gradation through plotting a graph when doing this experiment. This
gradation gives an indirect measure of the workability and average particle size.
In this experiment, 500g of dry fine aggregate and 20000g of coarse aggregate oven-
dried samples are needed to be weighed using an electronic balance and record the reading.
The sample should be perfectly dry because if there is some moisture content present then the
particles will stick together and will not pass through the sieves. Temperature of the oven is
110°C. The stack of sieves is arranged so that the largest sieves are at the top and in
decreasing order the pan is at the bottom. The sample is placed on the top sieves and the stack
of sieves are placed on the mechanical sieve shaker. Cover plates are tightened and the timer
is set for 15 minutes. The mass retained on each sieve and the percentage passing through
each sieve are calculated.
The Fineness modulus (FM) is an empirical figure obtained by adding the total
percentage of the sample of an aggregate retained on each of a specified series of sieves, and
dividing the sum by 100. The same value of fineness modulus may therefore be obtained
from several different particle size distributions. In general, however, a smaller value
indicates a finer aggregate. Fine aggregates range from a FM of 2.00 to 4.00, and coarse
aggregates smaller than 38.1 mm range from 6.50 to 8.00. Combinations of fine and coarse
aggregates have intermediate values.
Through this experiment, I found that sieve analysis is very important as it ensures the
quality of the structure is maintained by particle size distribution for grading the materials
proposed. It is also important to take precautions while carrying out the experiment such as

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wearing safety gloves when handling hot materials and running the sieve shaker for the time
specified to ensure an accurate reading.

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NAME: BONG YIN XYAN
STUDENT ID: 19WVD04188
Sieve analysis of aggregate is commonly used to determine the fineness modulus
(F.M) of fine and coarse aggregates. The fineness modulus (F.M) is calculated by adding the
percentage cumulative retained on the sieves and dividing the sum by 100. When the fineness
modulus of sand is between 2.20-2.60 considered as fine sand, F.M. 2.60-2.90 considered as
medium sand and F.M. 2.90-3.20 considered as coarse sand.
One of the main equipment used in the test is mechanical shaker. It comes with
different sizes of sieve; the vibration of sieves will allow certain sizes of sand and aggregates
pass through it. It achieves the process sieving while the cover plates are tighten and shaking
for 15 minutes to determine the mass retained when the retainer (either sand or aggregates) is
weighted.
The sieve analysis of fine and coarse aggregates should be performed separately to
meet the standard and accuracy of results. 500g of dry fine aggregate and 2000g for coarse
aggregates will be weight for the test. Make sure the used sample is dry sample at about
110°C in an oven. Then follow the sequence size of sieve in descending order from the top
and the pan placed at the bottom. With the sample on the top sieve, place the stack of sieves
on the sieve shaking machine. Tighten the cover plates prevent leakage of sample. The
machine will be set with 15 minutes then weigh the material retained in each sieve. The
results are ready when the percentage by weight of the total sample passing through each
sieve is calculated. The results should be shown and analysed in table form. The fineness
modulus (F.M) is calculated by adding the percentage cumulative retained on the sieves and
dividing the sum by 100.
Even though the gradation test is commonly used in the construction industry, but it
still having limitations out there. The sieves are not designed for all types of aggregates
particles. It’s quite common to see some of the aggregates which elongate or flat in shape are
stuck or unable to pass through the smaller sized sieve due to its shapes. The sieve analysis is
more suitable for those aggregates which are more rounded in shape. It might affect the
results may not accurate.

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NAME: CHONG QIAN YAN

STUDENT ID: 19WVD03476

Sieve analysis is the oldest technique for measuring particle size distributions but is
still a standard laboratory operation and extremely useful in practice. The method is based on
the availability of sieves with a range of aperture sizes by allowing the material to pass
through a series of sieves of progressively smaller mesh size and weighing the amount of
material that is stopped by each sieve as a fraction of the whole mass. The standard
laboratory version uses 200 mm diameter sieves with woven wire bottoms in the aperture
range 20 μm to 1 mm and greater. National standards sieves are used such as: British
Standard, AFNOR French standard, DIN German standard, ASTM and Tyler series for the
USA. (P.B. Gilbert, R. Gottardo, 2017)
Samples to be analysed is put on the top sieve of a stack of 5 to 10 sieves in
descending aperture size with a lid on top, a collecting pan at the bottom, and the stack
shaken for up to about 15 min before separation and weighing of the amount retained on each
sieve. Being such a easier procedure of particle sizing, it is likely the most widely recognized.
(Chris Blok, 2019)
The results of this test are used to describe the properties of the aggregate and to see if
it is appropriate for various civil engineering purposes such as selecting the appropriate
aggregate for concrete mixes and asphalt mixes as well as sizing of water production well
screens. The results of this test are provided in graphical form to identify the type of
gradation of the aggregate.
The grading curves are plotted using a particle size distribution graph paper provided.
The results are recorded and tabulated. The grading curve should lie inside the maximum and
minimum value lines range provided by BS which is considered qualified and according to
specifications. (Muhammad rashad Iqbal, 2015)
So as to play out the test, an adequate sample of the aggregate must be acquired from
the source. To set up the sample, the aggregate ought to be blended completely and be
diminished to a reasonable size for testing. The all-out mass of the sample is likewise
required.

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NAME: CHONG SIN YEE
STUDENTID: 19WVD04331
Sieve analysis is a sieve test that requires the particles pass through the sieve mesh or
the stack of sieves and used to determine the size and size distribution of particles in a
material sample using wire mesh of different size of openings to separate particles in different
size. It enables to definition the separation of fine material from coarse material. The
technique was used as far back as the early Egyptian days as a way to size grains.
Now, the sieve analysis is become the technique that used most often for analysing
particle-size distribution. The method is based on the availability of sieves with a range of
aperture sizes. In most laboratory applications, the frame is round and is made from brass or
even stainless steel. The standard sizes of the frame are three, six, eight, ten, or twelve inch
diameters and metric equivalents or the sieves are 10,20,40,60,80,100,200 respectively. Sieve
10 has largest opening or coarsest grain particles and the sieve 200 has the smallest opening
or finest grain particles. The sieve and mesh opening that are labelled to the right as U.S.
Standard in millimetres. Sieve 10 mesh opening 1.60 millimetres and sieve 200 has a mesh
opening of 0.42 millimetres.
The stainless steel is the most common material used for applications. Sieve analysis
is the most widely and oldest known method that used to characterise particle size
distributions and is employed throughout a number of industries while the sieve analysis does
not account for particle shape effects of different particles. The motor provides oscillatory
motion to the sieve shaker which causes the sample to pass through a series of sieves. Hence,
the motor is time dependent and usually the time is at the range of 0-30 minutes.
The sieve analysis is often critical importance to the way the material performs in use.
Any type of non-organic or organic granular materials can be performed in sieve analysis
such as sand, crushed rock, clays, granite, coal, grain and a wide range of manufactured
powders. Being such a simple technique of particle sizing, it is probably the most common.

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NAME: CHOO SHENG FONG
STUDENT ID: 19WVD03439
A sieve analysis is a practice or procedure used to assess the particle size distribution
of a granular material. The size distribution is often of critical importance to the way the
material performs in use. A sieve analysis can be performed on any type of non-organic or
organic granular materials including sands, crushed rock, clays, granite, soil, a wide range of
manufactured powders, grain and seeds, down to a minimum size depending on the exact
method, while in this experiment, we used fine aggregates and coarse aggregates.
The sieve analysis also known as gradation test. The sieve analysis is used to
determine the aggregate size distribution. The sieve analysis plays an important role in the
construction industry, its purpose is to calculate the fineness modulus of the fine aggregates
and coarse aggregates. It is important to calculate the fineness modulus because it can
conclude directly whether it is a fine aggregate or coarse aggregate
During sieving the sample is subjected to vertical movement (vibratory sieving) or
horizontal motion (horizontal sieving). With tap sieve shakers both movements are
superimposed. During this process the particles are compared with the apertures of every
single sieve. The probability of a particle passing through the sieve mesh is determined by the
ratio of the particle size to the sieve openings, the orientation of the particle and the number
of encounters between the particle and the mesh openings.
When this experiment is going on, there is some precautions that we need to pay
attentions which is we must need to wear a pair gloves when taking the aggregates from oven
because the oven is hot and it may scald. Besides, we must weight the aggregates carefully in
order to prevent any miscalculation.

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2.0 Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

2.1 Objective of the experiment

To calculate the fitness modulus (F.M) of fine and coarse aggregates.

2.2 Equipment and material

 TOOLS

Figure 1: Stack of sieves Figure 2: Balance or bench scale Figure 3: Rubber pestle
and Mortar

Figure 4: Mechanical sieve shaker Figure 5: oven

 MATERIALS

Figure 6: Fine aggregate (sand) Figure 7: Coarse aggregate

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2.3 Experiment procedures

1. 500g of dry fine aggregate (sand) and coarse aggregates 2000g are weighed out. (Sample
are dried at about 110˚c in an oven).

Figure 8 shows sample from oven Figure 9 shows weighing of sample

2. The stack of sieve are arranged so that the largest sieves are at the top and in decreasing
order the pan is at the bottom.
3. With the sample on the top sieves, the stack of sieve is placed on the sieve shaking
machine. The cover plates are tightened and the timer is set to 15 minutes on the machine.

Figure 10 & 11 shows placing the stack of sieve on the sieve shaking machine
4. When the machine stops, the material retained in each sieve is weighed separately and is
calculated later for the percentage by weight of the total sample passing through each sieve.

Figure 12 & 13 shows weighing of material retained in each sieve

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2.4 Experiment results
a) Fine Aggregates
Amount Cumulative Percentage Percentage
Retained (g) Amount Cumulative Cumulative
Sieve Size
Retained (g) Retained (%) Passing (%)
10mm 0 0 0.00 100.00
5mm 0.2 0.2 0.04 99.96
2.36mm 9.6 9.8 1.98 98.02
1.18mm 238.4 248.2 50.05 49.95
600um 111.4 359.6 72.51 27.49
300um 70.8 430.4 86.79 13.21
150um 45.6 476.0 95.99 4.01
Pan 19.9 495.9 100.00 0.00
Total 495.9 - - -
Fineness Modulus = 307.36/100 = 3.07
b) Coarse Aggregates
Sieve Size Amount Cumulative Percentage Percentage
Retained (g) Amount Cumulative Cumulative
Retained (g) Retained (%) Passing (%)
75mm 0 0 0 100.00
37.5mm 0 0 0 100.00
20mm 118.8 118.8 5.96 94.04
10mm 1608.1 1726.9 86.58 13.42
5mm 241 1967.9 98.67 1.33
2.36mm 12.8 1980.7 99.31 0.69
1.18mm 4 1984.7 99.51 0.49
600um 2.8 1987.5 99.65 0.35
300um 2.2 1989.7 99.76 0.24
150um 2.1 1991.8 99.86 0.14
Pan 2.7 1994.5 100 0.00
Total 1994.5 - - -
Fineness Modulus = 689.3/100 = 6.89

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2.5 Discussion
a) By plotting the grading curves of the sand tested on the top of the given BS aggregate.

b) What are the precautions that needs to be taken for the test?

The precautions that needs to be taken for the test is a sufficient sample of the
aggregate must be obtained from the source. To prepare the sample, the aggregate
should be mixed thoroughly and be reduced to a suitable size for testing. The dry
sample for fine aggregates and coarse aggregates must at about 110ºC. The total mass
must weight out 500g of the samples for fine aggregates and 2000g for coarse
aggregate. Besides that, we also need to prepare rubber pestle and mortar for crushing
the soil if lumped or conglomerated. Moreover, the sieve set need to be clean before
and after use so that no soil particles are stuck in them.

c) What is Fineness Modulus and its importance?

Fineness Modulus is a number proportional to average size of sand grains and it is a

term used as an index to the fineness or coarseness of aggregate. It is a measure of the
fine aggregates’ gradation. Fineness modulus is one-hundredth of the sum of the
cumulative percentage weight retained on the 0.15, 0.3, 0.6, 1.18, 2.36, 5.00, 10.0mm,
20.0mm, 37.5mm, and 75mm. Fineness Modulus used primarily for Portland cement
concrete mix design. The Fineness Modulus is very importance because we can
conclude directly whether the material is well-graded or gap-graded and whether it is
a fine or coarse aggregate with the value of Fineness Modulus found. The higher the
Fineness Modulus, the coarser the aggregate.

d) Calculate the Fineness Modulus of the fine and coarse aggregates.

Fineness Modulus of the fine aggregates

0.04+1.98+50.05+72.51+86.79+ 95.99 307.36

= 100
=
100
= 3.07

Fineness Modulus of the coarse aggregates

5.96+86.58+98.67+ 99.31+99.51+99.65+99.76+ 99.86 689.3

= 100
= 100 = 6.89

e) What is the average size of fine and coarse aggregates for the sample respectively?

399.888
Average size of fine aggregates = = 806μm
495.9

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 19703.358
Average size of coarse aggregates = = 9.879mm
1994.5

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2.6 Conclusion
Based on the experiment, the results show that the fine aggregates used is classified as
coarse sand. It’s determined by using the theory of fineness modulus and follow the F.M.
reading. The fineness modulus of fine aggregates will be calculated using the fineness
modulus formula which is the sum of cumulative percentage retained on standard sieve and
divide by 100 (FM = Total cumulative % retained on standard sieve / 100).
The result of coarse aggregates is shown by the drew gradation chart follow the
method of grading limits (BS 882:1983). The coarse aggregates are classified as well graded
type. Which means the aggregates are having good interlock and low permeability.
The issue upcoming from the experiment is that some part of the coarse aggregates
was stuck between the sieve difficult to withdraw and affect the results reading. This situation
commonly happened due to the limitations of sieves. The sieves are not designed for all types
of aggregates particles. It’s quite common to see some of the aggregates which elongate or
flat in shape are stuck or unable to pass through the smaller sized sieve due to its shapes. The
sieve analysis is more suitable for those aggregates which are more likely rounded in shape.
Its hard to determine which sieve does the aggregate belongs to. And unable to weight the
stuck aggregates resulting the weight of collected aggregates doesn’t same with the weight
use in the very beginning of test.
The determination of fineness modulus and gradation types of aggregates is very
important as it effects the density of concrete, compressive strength of concrete, flexural
strength of concrete, permeability of concrete, appearance of structure, cost of project and
more. (NBM&CW, 2007)

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3.0 References

 Sieve analysis, n.d., sieve analysis, viewed 20 August 2019,

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieve_analysis>

 Effect of Fineness of Sand on the Cost and Properties of Concrete, viewed 22 August
2019,
<https://www.nbmcw.com/tech-articles/concrete/582-effect-of-fineness-of-sand-on-
the-cost-and-properties-of-concrete.html>

 CSC Scientific Company, Inc. 2014, Sieving, Sieves, Sieve Analysis, Sieve Testing -
CSC Scientific, viewed 23 August 2019,
<http://www.cscscientific.com/particle-size/sieves>.

 David Michaud (CEO and Managing Director) , n.d., Crushing & Screening ,
Laboratory Procedures , viewed 23 August 2019,
<https://www.911metallurgist.com/sieve-analysis-calculations-graph/>

 Arthur Gatenby, 2018, Sieve Testing, viewed 20 August 2019,

<https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/75757/file-15588822-pdf/docs/sieve_std_cert_cal.pdf>

 Particle Technology Labs, 2017, Sieve Analysis, viewed 22August 2019,

<https://www.particletechlabs.com/analytical-testing/particle-size-distribution-
analyses/sieve-analysis>

 Muhammad Rashad Iqbal, 2015, Standard Test Methods for Sieve Analysis, viewed
22 August 2019,
<https://civilengineerspk.com/plain-reinforced-concrete-experiments/exp-3-sieve-
analysis/>

 Human Vaccines, 2017, Learn more about Sieve Analysis, viewed 22 August 2019,
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sieve-
analysis>

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