Fineness Modulus of Fine Aggregates

The Fineness Modulus of Sand is an index number that indicates the mean size of the sand
particles. It is calculated by performing the sieve analysis test with standard IS sieves.
The fineness modulus of sand ranges from 2.2 to 3.2.
To find the fineness modulus of fine aggregate required IS sieve are sizes of 4.75mm.
2.36mm, 1.18mm.0.6mm, 0.3mm, and 0.15mm.
IS Code for Fineness Modulus of fine aggregate: IS: 383 - 2016
Apparatus:

● Sieves as per IS standards

● Mechanical sieve shaker(optional)
● Dry oven
● Digital weight scale

Sample Preparation

● Take a sample of sand in a pan and placed it in the oven at a temperature of

approximate 100-110°C.

● After drying, take the sample out from oven and note down its weight using digital
weighing scale.

Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate

Following is the test procedure for fineness modulus of sand test,

1) Take the sieves and arrange them in descending order with the largest sieve on top.

2) If a mechanical shaker is using for shaking, then put the sieve set in position on
the mechanical shaker and pour the sample in the top sieve & then close it with the sieve
plate.

3) Then switch on the machine and shaking of sieves should be done at least for 5 minutes.

4) If the shaking is done manually (by the hands) then pour the sample in a top sieve and
close it then hold the top two sieves and shake it inwards and outwards, vertically and
horizontally.

5) After some time shake 3 and 4 and finally last sieves simultaneously.

6) After sieving, record the sample weights retained on each sieve. Then find the cumulative
weight retained.

7) Finally, determine the cumulative percentage retained on each sieve.

8) Add the all cumulative percentage values and divide with 100 then we will get the value of
fineness modulus.

Calculation of F.M. of Sand

Let us assume the dry weight of sample = 1000gm

After sieve analysis, the values that appeared are tabulated below.

Sample – WW1
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm
 0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – WW1 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – WW2
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – WW2 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – WW3
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
 weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – WW3 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – WW4
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm
 0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – WW4 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – WW5
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – WW5 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

 Sample – AW1
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – AW1 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – AW2
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm
 1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – AW2 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – AW3
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – AW3 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

 Sample – AW4
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm

2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – AW4 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Sample – AW5
Sieve size Weight retained(g) Cumulative weight Cumulative
retained (g) percentage
weight retained
(%)
4.75mm
 2.36mm

1.18mm

0.6mm

0.3mm

0.15mm

Fineness modulus of Sand – AW5 = (Cumulative % retained) / 100

Range of Fineness of Modulus

Following table indicates sand fineness modulus value ranges from 2.6 to 3.2.

Types of Sand Fineness Modulus (F. M) Value

Fine Sand 2.6 – 2.6

Medium Sand 2.6 -2.9

Coarse Sand 2.9 -3.2

Sand F. M. Ranges

Fineness modulus with respect to various zones of sand according to IS 383-1970 are
given in table below.

Sieve size Zone1 Zone2 Zone3 Zone4

10mm 100 100 100 100

4.75mm 90-100 90-100 90-100 95-100

2.36mm 60-95 75-100 85-100 95-100

1.18mm 30-70 55-90   75-100   90-100

0.6mm 15-34 35-59 60-79 80-100

0.3mm 5-20   8-30   12-40   15-50

0.15mm 0-10 0-10 0-10 0-15

Fineness Modulus 4.0-2.71 3.37-2.1 2.78-1.71 2.25-1.35