Concrete Laboratory Dr.

ODAY ALI AZEZ

Test no (4)
Particle Size Distribution of Aggregates (Sieve Analysis)
Sampling

The BS EN 932-1 1996 is the European Standard specifies methods for obtaining samples
of aggregates. The aim of sampling is to obtain a bulk sample that is representative of the
average properties of the batch. The methods specified in this standard are also suitable for
obtaining sampling increments which may be tested separately.

Principles of sampling

 Proper and careful sampling.

 Correct use of the specified apparatus.
 Sampling increments are selected at random from all parts of the batch that
the bulk sample is to represent.
 Aggregate from which no sampling increment can be taken (because it is not
accessible, or for some other practical reason) shall not be considered to be
part of the batch that is represented by the bulk sample. For example, if
sampling increments are taken from aggregate discharged from a silo, the bulk
sample represents the aggregate that has been discharged, not the aggregate
remaining in the silo. The sampler shall be informed of the aim of the
sampling.

Sampling plan

A sampling plan shall be prepared, prior to sampling, taking into account the
aggregate size, the nature and size of the batch, the local circumstances and
the purposes of sampling. It shall include:

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 the type of the aggregates;

 the aim of the sampling including a list of the properties to be tested;
 the identification of the sampling points;
 the approximate mass of sampling increments;
 the number of sampling increments;
 the sampling apparatus to be used;
 the methods of sampling and sample reduction with reference to the
clauses of this European Standard;
 the marking, packaging and dispatch of the samples.

Sample reduction

General

The bulk sample shall be brought to a condition in which it is free-flowing but not so dry
that fines will be lost or accretion occurs. For mixing, and other operations that require a
working surface, use a clean, flat, hard surface such as a sampling tray or a glass plate (for
fillers).

The main sample is made up of a number of portions drawn from different parts of the
whole. The minimum number of these portions, called increments, is ten, and they should
add up to a mass not less than that given in Table 1 for particles of different sizes.

Table 1

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Reduction of a bulk sample using a riffle box

Riffle box

The number of slots of the riffle box (Fig. 1) is even and not less than eight. The
width of the slots should be at least twice the upper aggregate size to avoid bridging.

Figure 1 Riffle box

 Put the bulk sample into one of the riffle box receptacles and place the other
two in position.
 Pour the aggregate from the long side of the receptacle down the centre line
of the riffle box.
 Discard the aggregate that falls into one of the other two receptacles.
 Repeat as many times as are needed to arrive at the required size of laboratory
sample.

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Reduction of a bulk sample by quartering

 Place the bulk sample on the working surface and mix it thoroughly by
heaping it up to form a cone, and turning it over with the shovel to form a new
cone.
 Repeat this operation three times.
 When forming the cones, deposit each shovelful on the peak of the new cone
in such a way that the aggregate runs down all sides of the cone and is evenly
distributed so that the different sizes become well-mixed.
 Flatten the third cone, by inserting the shovel repeatedly and vertically into
the peak of the cone, to form a flat heap which has a uniform thickness and
diameter.
 Quarter the flat heap along two diagonals intersecting at right angles (see
figure 2).
 Discard one pair of opposite quarters and shovel the remainder into a
stockpile.
 Repeat the process of mixing and quartering until the required size of
laboratory sample is obtained.

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Example of equipment for sampling and sample reduction

 Scoop

 Shovel

 Sampling frame

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 Sampling box

 Sampling tube

 Sampling spear

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Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

Scope
This test method covers the determination of the particle size distribution of fine and coarse
aggregates by sieving.

Theory
The name of sieve analysis is given to the simple operation of dividing a sample of
aggregate into fractions each consisting of particles of the same size. In practice, each
fraction contains particles between specific limits, these being the openings of standard test
sieves.

The test sieves used for concrete aggregate have square openings and their properties are
prescribed by BS 410-1 and 2 : 2000 and ASTM E 11-09. The standard approach is to
designate the sieve sizes by the nominal aperture size in millimetres or micrometres

It should be remembered that 4 to 5 mm (3/16 in., No. 4 ASTM) is the dividing line between
the fine and coarse aggregate.

Significance and Use

 The results are used to determine compliance of the particle size distribution with
applicable specification requirements.
 To provide necessary data for control of the production of various aggregate
products and mixtures containing aggregates.
 The data may also be useful in developing relationships concerning porosity and
packing.

Standard
Table 2 lists the sieve sizes normally used for grading purposes according to BS 812-103.1:
1985, BS EN 933.2: 1996 and ASTM C 136-06.

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Table 2 BS, ASTM and BS EN sieve sizes normally used for grading of aggregate

Apparatus

 Test Sieves conforming to BS 410-1 and 2 : 2000 and ASTM E 11-09.

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 Mechanical Sieve Shaker (Optinal)

 Balances

 Oven; an oven of appropriate size capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of

110 ± 5 °C.

Procedure

1. Sample the aggregate as mentioned earlier.

 Fine Aggregate: the size of the test sample, after drying, shall be 300 g
minimum.
 Coarse Aggregate: the size of the test sample of coarse aggregate shall
conform with the following:

2. Dry the sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110 ± 5 °C.

3. Select sieves with suitable openings.
4. Nest the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom.
5. Place the sample on the top sieve.
6. Shake the sieves by hand or by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period. Shaking
period not less than two minutes. Hand shaking shall be done with a varied motion,
backward and forwards, left to right, circular clockwise and anti-clockwise, and with

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frequent jarring, so that the material is kept moving over the sieve surface in
frequently changing directions. Do not force particles to pass through an opening.
7. Material shall not be forced through the sieve by hand pressure. Lumps of fine
material, if present, may be broken by gentle pressure with fingers against the side
of the sieve.
8. For sieves with openings smaller than 4.75-mm (No. 4), the quantity retained on any
sieve shall not exceed 7 kg/m2 of sieving surface area (based on an effective
diameter). For sieves with openings 4.75 mm (No. 4) and larger, the quantity
retained in kg shall not exceed the product of 2.5 × (sieve opening, mm × (effective
sieving area, m2)). This quantity is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Maximum Allowable Quantity of Material Retained on a Sieve, kg

9. Determine the mass of each size increment on a balance. The total mass of the
material after sieving should check closely with original mass of sample placed on
the sieves. If the total mass of the material after sieving differs by more than 0.3 %,
based on the original dry sample mass, the results should not be used for acceptance
purposes.

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Calculation

Figure 3 Example of a grading curve

Calculate the fineness modulus, when required, by adding the total percentages of material
in the sample that is coarser than each of the following sieves (cumulative percentages
retained), and dividing the sum by 100: 150-μm (No. 100), 300-μm (No. 50), 600-μm (No.
30), 1.18-mm (No. 16), 2.36-mm (No. 8), 4.75-mm (No. 4), 9.5-mm (3⁄8-in.), 19.0-mm
(3⁄4-in.), 37.5-mm (11⁄2-in.), and larger, increasing in the ratio of 2 to 1.

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 The fineness modulus can be looked upon as a weighted average size of a sieve on
which the material is retained, the sieves being counted from the finest.
 For example, a fineness modulus of 4.00 can be interpreted to mean that the fourth
sieve, 1.18 mm (No. 16 ASTM) is the average size.
 The use of average cannot be representative of a distribution.
 The fineness modulus cannot, therefore, be used as a single description of the
grading of an aggregate.
 But it is valuable for measuring slight variations in the aggregate from the same
source, e.g. as a day-to-day check.
 The fineness modulus gives an indication of the probable behavior of a concrete mix
made with aggregate having a certain grading.

The maximum aggregate size is defined as the smallest sieve size that requires 100%
passing. For example, in the following gradation the maximum aggregate size is 3/4":

Nominal maximum aggregate size is defined as "one sieve size larger than the first size
to retain more than 10%." By this definition the nominal maximum aggregate size for the
material example above is 1/2". However, if there were only 91% passing the 3/8" the
nominal maximum aggregate size for that material would be 3/8", not 1/2".

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