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2021

February (1)
What is Fineness Modulus?
March (1)
The fineness modulus (FM) of aggregates can be an intimidating term, but it’s just an
April (1)
empirical value that describes the average size of particles in a sample of aggregate.
May (1) This factor provides a basis to select estimated proportions for concrete mix design, but
June (1) its real influence is not always understood. Fineness modulus is not a precise value, as
it provides a way to estimate the amount of aggregate needed to proportion mix
July (1)
designs.
August (1)
How is Fineness Modulus Measured?
September (1)
Fineness modulus is determined using percentages of the size fractions from the sieve
October (1) analysis and calculated for any designated series of sieve sizes. When designing
November (1) concrete mixes, the FM of the fine aggregate is required for the effective proportioning
of mixes. Changes to the grading of the coarse aggregate portion have less of an effect
December (1)
on overall concrete properties. Aggregate proportioning can be optimized using separate
2020 determinations of fine and coarse aggregates and blending techniques to control the FM
for a concrete mix.
January (1)
Origins of the Fineness Modulus Concept
February (1)
Duff Abrams, an American materials researcher in the early part of the 20th century,
March (1)
was influential in studying concrete properties and characteristics. Along with defining
April (1) the importance of water/cement ratio and developing the slump test, he defined
May (1) fineness modulus in 1918 as a way of characterizing concrete aggregates, simplifying
the gradation curve, and estimating the correct proportions to use in mix designs. In
June (1)
explaining the premise, he said, “Aggregate of the same fineness modulus will require
July (2) the same quantity of water to produce a mix of the same consistency and give a
September (1) concrete of the same strength.”

October (1) Calculating Fineness Modulus

November (1) The simple procedure to compute FM requires performing an accurate particle size
analysis as detailed in ASTM C136, Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and
December (2)
Coarse Aggregates. In addition to the sizes needed for particle sizing, specific to the FM
2019 calculations must be included as well. Although manual agitation of the sieves is
permitted in the standard, Gilson strongly recommends the use of an appropriate sieve
February (2)
shaker to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and efficiency. After the sieve analysis is
March (1) performed and separated fractions are weighed on suitable scales or balances, the
April (1) percentages of the fractions are calculated.

May (1)

June (2)

July (2)

August (2)

September (1)

October (1)

November (1)

December (1)
Fineness Modulus of Sand
2018
To calculate the fineness modulus of sand, the sum of the cumulative percentages
March (1) retained on the following sieves are divided by 100: 150µm (No. 100), 300µm (No. 50),
600-µm (No. 30), 1.18mm (No. 16), 2.36mm (No. 8), and 4.75mm (No. 4) for fine
May (1)
aggregates. If FM for coarse aggregates is desired, then sieves of 9.5mm (3⁄8in.),
June (1) 19.0mm (3⁄4in), 37.5mm (11⁄2in) can be included. There can be even larger sieves
2017
that can be added by continuing the ratio of 2:1 to the previous sieve size. No
additional equipment is required to make the determination. The same ASTM E11 test
January (1)
sieves are used in the aggregate tests for particle size analysis. In the example below,
February (1) cumulative percentages for sizes from 4.75mm to 150µm are used to calculate the
fineness modulus for this fine aggregate sample.
March (1)

April (2)

May (1)

June (1)

July (1)

August (1)

September (1)

October (1)

November (1)
Fineness Modulus and Coarse Aggregate Proportions
2016
Once the fineness modulus of the fine aggregate is known, it can be used to select
January (2)
proportions of coarse aggregate. In its standard practice 211.1-91 Selecting
February (2) Proportions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete, The American Concrete
Institute (ACI) includes Table A1.5.3.6 giving the volumes of coarse aggregates for
March (2)
various fineness moduli of fine aggregates. If the maximum size of the coarse
April (1)
aggregate and the fineness modulus of the Fine Aggregate are known, the volume of
May (1) the dry rodded coarse aggregate can be obtained from this table.

June (2) An example provided in the ACI 211 standard states that, "For a fine aggregate having
a fineness modulus of 2.8 and a 37.5mm nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate,
July (2)
the table indicates that 0.71m3 of coarse aggregate, on a dry-rodded basis, may be
August (2) used in each cubic meter of concrete. The required dry mass is, therefore, 0.71 x 1600
September (2) = 1,136kg."

October (2) How Fineness Modulus Affects Concrete Mixes

December (1) In a nutshell, fineness modulus describes the gradation curve as well as the texture and
uniformity of the material. A lower FM factor means that the aggregate particles in that
2015
sample are finer on average. FM of the fine aggregate fraction is also an important
January (1) predictor of other characteristics of both plastic and hardened concrete like workability,
March (1)
finish ability, shrinkage, porosity, permeability, strength, and the tendency to crack. A
higher FM index indicates coarser aggregate that will produce a “harsh” mix, prone to
May (1)
segregation and difficult to place and finish properly. A low FM indicates finer aggregate
June (3) that will require additional cement and increase water demand. This will be a mix easier
to place and finish, but costlier, with increased potential for early-age cracking.
July (1)
As with many things, there is a sweet spot that gives optimum results. For most mixes,
August (1)
an FM of fine aggregate between 2.5 and 3.0 yields a concrete that is easy to place,
September (2) easy to finish, and less likely to crack. ASTM C33 requires the FM of fine aggregate to
October (2) be between 2.3 and 3.1, and that the FM of the final concrete batch cannot vary from
the design mix by more than 0.2. Fine aggregate FM’s in the upper end of the spectrum,
November (2)
closer to 3.0, have been noted to produce concrete with good strength and workability
December (1) in mixes with high cement contents.

To sum up, fineness modulus (FM) is not only required for complete, workable concrete
POPULAR BLOG TAGS mix designs, but it is also a tool to use in evaluating aggregate gradations, adjusting
proportions, and controlling the properties that characterize completed mixes.

Aggregate Testing Asphalt Testing
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We hope this article has brought some definition and clarity to the concept of fineness
modulus of aggregates. For questions about your specific applications, contact the
testing experts at Gilson.

Field Testing General Lab How-To

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Resource Guide Sieving

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Tags: Aggregate Testing , Fineness Modulus , Coarse Aggregate , Aggregate Proportions , Fine Aggregates , Testing Insights

Categories: Aggregates, Concrete

Related blog posts:
Characteristics of Aggregates: Shape, Size & Specific Gravity,
Aggregate Properties You Need to Know: Strength & Durability,
The Gray Pages: ASTM’s How-To for Concrete and Aggregates Testing,
Preparing for an Aggregate Technician Certification,
Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate: From the Field to the Lab,
Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate: The Art of Sample Prepping,
Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregate: Tips on Sample Collecting

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