Sieve Analysis (Gradation) of Fine Aggregate and Fineness

Modulus of Sand
Object: - TO DETERMINE THE ZONING OF A GIVEN SAMPLE OF FINE AGGREGATE

INTRODUCTION
What is Fineness Modulus of Sand?
Fineness modulus of (Fine aggregates) is an index number which represents the mean size of the particles
in the Fine aggregate. It is calculated by performing sieve analysis with standard sieves. The cumulative
percentage retained on each sieve is added and subtracted by 100 gives the value of fineness modules.

Theoretical Background
Gradation of the fine aggregate i.e. sand. Whose fineness is checked by Gradation As there are different
types of sand, so we will have to judge that which type of sand is the best to be used for concrete. The sand
will be called graded if it consists of particles having a variety of dimensions; such type of sand is
recommended for use because this type of sand will possess the capability to form a compact structure thus
will have more strength as compared to fine sand. The fine sand will also form compact structure but will
increase the amount of water needed in concrete, which will decrease the strength of the concrete.
So the degree of gradation will decide about the sand to be used. Degree of gradation is also called fineness
modulus of sand. We find fineness modulus and compare it the standard recommended values.

Fine aggregate means the aggregate which passes through #4 (4.75mm) sieve. To find the fineness modulus
of fine aggregate we need sieve sizes of #4 (4.75mm), #8 (2.38mm), #16 (1.2mm), #30 (0.6mm), #50
(0.3mm), and #100 (0.15 mm). Fineness modulus of finer aggregate is lower than fineness modulus of
coarse aggregate.

The dividing line between the fine and coarse aggregate is #4 sieve. It means the particles of aggregate
passing through #4 sieve are termed as fine aggregate and those retained on it are called coarse aggregate.

The sieves are arranged so that with the biggest Openings is at the top and the one with the smallest
openings is at the Bottom. A sample of aggregate is allowed to pass through all the sieves and the weights
retained on each sieve are noted town. The results are reported in a tabular form and a graph is plotted
between the percentage passing on y-axis and sieve opening on x-axis on a semi-log scale.

Key words:
Sieve Numbers: A number assigned to designate the size of a sieve which corresponds to the number of
opening per linear inch. The #4 sieve means the sieve has 4 openings in one linear inch. Similarly #100
sieve means the sieve has 100 openings in one linear inch. This is true for other sieves also.

Sieve Analysis: - The maximum Dimension of a particle that will pass through the square hole of a
particular mesh.
Why to Determine Fineness Modulus?
Relative coarseness or fineness of material is called fineness modulus. This is only for fine aggregates to
know its fineness. It is generally used to get an idea of how coarse or fine the aggregate is. More fineness
modulus value indicates that the aggregate is coarser and small value of fineness modulus indicates that
the aggregate is finer. The sand having more fineness modulus is relatively coarser sand as compared to
the sand having low fineness modulus.

Apparatus:
1. Balance: For fine aggregate accurate for 0.1gm. For coarse aggregate accurate for 0.5gm.
2. Containers to carry the sample.
3. Oven.—capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 + 5°C (230 + 9°F).
4. Mechanical Sieve shaker.
5. sets of sieve:-For fine aggregate [ #4 , #8, #16 , #30 , #50, #100]

Procedure:
1- Dry the sample in oven (at 110+5 °C. ) and then allow it to cool to a room temperature.
2- Determine the weight of the test sample after cooling (M1).
3- Nest the sieve in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom place the sample on the top
sieve.
4- Agitate (shake) the sieve by hand or placing the set on the mechanical shaker for 10min.
5- Open the set of sieve carefully so that no loosing of materials is expected.
6- Determine the mass of material retained on each sieve to the nearest 0.1g (either individually or
cumulatively) the material retained on each sieve (M2).

Calculations:

Retained % = (Cumulative Weight Retained / Total Weight of Sample) x 100

Passing % = 100 - Retained %

Note: Make sure that the summation of the residue weights equals to the original sample weight with a
difference not more than 1% of the original weight.

Sieve Analysis of Fine Aggregate ASTM C33

Total Weight of Sample (Oven Dry) 1000 Grams Table No. 1
Specification
Weight Retained Cumulative Limits
ASTM Sieves
on each Sieve Retained weight
Opening (grams) Retained % Passing % Min Max
Sieve No.
mm
(grams)
3/8 9.5 0.0 0 0.0 100 100 100
#4 4.75 28 28 2.8 97.2 95 100
#8 2.36 115.5 143.5 14.35 85.65 80 100
#16 1.18 158.5 302 30.2 69.8 50 85
#30 0.60 142.5 444.5 44.45 55.55 25 60
#50 0.30 265 709.5 70.95 29.05 5 30
#100 0.150 207 916.5 91.65 8.35 0 10
#200 0.75 69 985.5 98.55 1.45 0 3.0
Pan 5
 GRADATION CHART
120
%
100

80

60
P A S S I N G

40

20

0 SIEVE NUMBER
3/8 #4 #8 #16 #30 #50 #100
Min 100 95 80 50 25 5 0
Max 100 100 100 85 60 30 10
Passing 100 97.2 85.65 69.8 55.55 29.05 8.35

Fineness modulus limits for various zones of sand according to IS 383-1970 are tabulated below.

Sieve No. Opening mm Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Passing

3/8 9.5 100 100 100 100 100
#4 4.75 90 – 100 90 – 100 90 – 100 95 – 100 97.2
#8 2.36 60 – 95 75 – 100 85 – 100 95 – 100 85.65
#16 1.18 30 – 70 55 – 90 75 – 100 90 – 100 69.8
#30 0.60 15 – 34 35 – 59 60 – 79 80 – 100 55.55
#50 0.30 05 – 20 08 – 30 12 – 40 15 – 50 29.05
#100 0.150 00 – 10 00 – 10 00 – 10 00 – 15 8.35
Fineness Modulus 4.0 – 2.71 3.37 – 2.1 2.78 – 1.71 2.25 – 1.35 2.544

Fineness Modulus: Sum of Cumulative percentage Wt. retained /100

FM = Σ Retained % Sieve (3/8 + #4 + #8 + #16 + #30 + #50 + #100) / 100

FM = Σ Retained % Sieve (0.0 +2.8 + 14.35 + 30.2 + 44.45 + 70.95 + 91.65) / 100 = 2.544

Values of Fineness Modulus of Sand:

Fineness Modulus of fine aggregate varies from 2.0 to 3.5mm. Fine aggregate having fineness modulus
more than 3.2 should not considered as fine aggregate.
Generally sand having fineness modulus more than 3.2 is not used for making good concrete.
The sand with FM less than this will be called fine sand which is not good for use. And FM greater than
this will be called coarse sand, which is again not good for use
Various values of Fineness modulus of different sand are detailed below.

Type of Sand Fineness Modulus Range

Fine Sand 2.2 – 2.6
Medium Sand 2.6 – 2.9
Coarse Sand 2.9 – 3.2
Specification of Sand Mortar

Sand used for Masonry (medium to fine) 100% passing # 8 Sieve & not more than 15% passing #100 Sieve
Sand used for Plaster (medium to fine) 100% passing #16 Sieve & not more than 15% passing #100 Sieve
Soil & clay content (not more than 6 % Passing # 200 sieve)
Fineness modulus F.M = 1.5 to 1.8