Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

CE 406: Construction Materials and Testing

Laboratory Exercise No. 3:

Sieve Analysis of Coarse Aggregates

Submitted By:

Submitted To:

March 09, 2023

Objectives:

Sieve analysis is used to determine the particle size distribution or gradation of an

aggregate. A suitable gradation of an aggregate in a concrete mix is desirable in order to
secure workability of the mixture and economy in the use of cement. For asphalt concrete,
suitable gradation only affects the workability of the mixture and economy in the use of the
other important properties.
Standard No. ASTM C 136-76, AASHTO T 27-74

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Theory:

In sieve analysis, aggregates are divided into fractions containing particles within
specific limits based on the size of the aggregates. This method necessitates an accurate and
thorough assessment of the coarse aggregates sizes by size segregation using sieves.
Moreover, it is related to the particle size distribution or the gradation of aggregates which
involves passing a representative sample of aggregate through a series of sieves. Samples are
sieved and are considered acceptable if the percentage of samples falls within the specified
ranges for each sieve.

Materials and Setup:

1. Set of Sieves
2. Container
3. Weighing Scale
4. Sample of Aggregates

Table A. Materials
Materials Description

Set of Sieves Used to separate the different sizes of sample aggregates.

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Container A tool used to hold or store the coarse aggregate samples.

Weighing Scale A weighing scale is a tool utilized to measure the different

sizes of sieves and sample aggregates' weight.

Sample of Aggregates Exact 2000 grams of sample coarse aggregates

Methodology

1. Collect a sample of coarse aggregates and place it in a container

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

2. Then measure out precisely 2 kilograms of coarse aggregates by weighing the

aggregates on a scale.
3. Weigh the different sizes of sieves and the pan.
4. Perform the sieve analysis where the sample coarse aggregates will move horizontally
or vertically through the sieve mesh.
5. Afterward, weigh the retained coarse aggregates sample on each different size of
sieve and also the pan.
6. Finally, compute the discrepancy and it should fall on the required discrepancy.

Discussion

The sieve analysis of coarse aggregate test determines the size distribution of coarse
aggregate particles in a specific coarse aggregate sample. The examination determines
whether the aggregate is suitable for use in construction applications. An appropriate
gradation of aggregate is required to ensure the mixture's workability and cement usage
efficiency.

A set of sieves with different weights were prepared to perform the laboratory
experiment. The sieves used are 1”, ¾”, ½”, 3/8”, No.4, No.8, and the Pan. These sieves have
different weights ranging from 357g – 508g. By stacking test sieves, one on top of the other,
with the largest opening at the top (1"), followed by sieves with successively smaller
openings and a catch pan at the bottom. A sample of 2000 grams of aggregate was placed in
the top sieve and manually shaken for 2-4 minutes. After shaking, each tray was removed and
the weight of the aggregate sample retained on each sieve is weighed and recorded to
determine the weight of the various particles present in each sieve. The outcomes are shown
in the table below.

Table B. Sieves and Aggregates

Sieve Size Weight of Aggregates Weight of Sieve Weight Retained

1” 705 g 505 g 200 g

¾” 1238 g 508 g 730 g

½” 1364 g 495 g 869 g

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

3/8” 646 g 490 g 156 g

No. 4 499 g 472 g 27 g

No. 8 443 g 443 g 0g

Pan 367 g 357 g 10 g

As the initial results from the laboratory experiment had been obtained by knowing
the weights of the sieves and the sample aggregates and especially the weight retained after
performing the sieve analysis, the next thing is to know the Percentage Retained (PR) by
dividing the weight retained of each samples from the grams of aggregates which is 2000g
and multiply it by 100%. Thus, the formula is %Retained = Weight Retained/Total weight of
Sample x 100%.

The cumulative percentage had to be calculated as well because it is a running total of

the percentage values that occur across a set of responses. After adding all of the previous
percentages, the total will either remain the same or increase, reaching the highest value of
100%. On the other hand, the passing percentage refers to the total percentage of aggregates
that pass through each sieve. The cumulative percentage retained must not be less than 99%
for this sieve analysis to be successful. Exceeding the limit of 100% indicates an error in the
calculations or the sample separation process. As a result, the activity will be invalidated, and
the procedure must be repeated from the beginning. The following table displays the
calculation results, including the percentage retained and cumulative percentage retained, and
passing percentage.

Table C. Computed Percentage

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Sieve Size Percentage (%) Cumulative Percentage Passing Percentage

Retained (PR) (%) Retained (CPR) (PP)

1” 10% 10% 90%

¾” 36.5% 46.5% 53.5%

½” 43.45% 89.95% 10.05%

3/8” 7.8% 97.95% 2.05%

No. 4 1.35% 99.1% 0.7%

No. 8 0% 99.1% 0.7%

Pan 0.5% 99.6%

Total 99.6%

As the data gathered are shown above, it is illustrated that the sieve analysis done is
acceptable and successful as the cumulative percentage retained is 99.6%. Thus, it means that
the cumulative percentage retained does not have less than 99% and not more than 100%.

Conclusion

The gradation or size distribution of aggregates is an important characteristic that

affects the quality of concrete. It is desirable to minimize the amount of cement paste since it
is expensive. Ensuring that the concrete mix has a wide range of sizes in order to fill the
voids and minimize the spaces. With these in mind, the test performed varying size and
percentage of aggregates. The total cumulative percentage obtained is an acceptable value
percentage. Hence, the sieve analysis is deemed successful.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Appendices

References

Hossain. (n.d.) Academia. Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregate.

https://www.academia.edu/22593304/Sieve_Analysis_of_Fine_and_Coarse_Aggregat
e

Jamal. (2019, October). AboutCivil.com. Gradation Of Aggregates | Types of

Aggregate Grading. https://www.aboutcivil.org/gradation-of-aggregates

Documentation

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Getting some samples of aggregates and putting them in a container.

Weighing the aggregate sample: 2000 grams.

Placing weighted aggregates on top of the sieve layer and covering it with the lid.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

Shaking the stack of sieves using hands since there are no mechanical shaker

Taking each sieve of a varying size out of the pile one by one

1” sieve ¾” sieve ½ ” sieve ⅜” sieve

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 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus Golden Country Homes,
Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: ceafa@g.batstate-u.edu.ph | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

College of Engineering - Civil Engineering Department

No. 4 sieve No. 8 sieve Pan

Weighing the material retained on each sieve, as well as the material retained in the pan

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