University of Misan

Engineering college
Civil engineering

Name: Sarah Mohammad shamal

1-Introduction :

sieve analysis of aggregate also known (aggregate gradation). Aggregate gradation

is the distribution of particle size expressed as a percentage of the total sample
weight. Particle size distribution helps in finding the different sizes of aggregates
and helps in classification i.e either fine or coarse. The particle size distribution, or
gradation, of the constituent aggregate is one of the most influential characteristics
in determining how an hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture will perform as a pavement
material. Aggregate gradation influences almost every important HMA property
including stiffness, stability, durability, permeability, workability, fatigue
resistance, skid resistance and resistance to moisture damage. Maximum aggregate
size can affect HMA in several ways. Instability (rutting, shoving) may result from
excessively small maximum sizes; and poor workability and/or segregation may
result from excessively large maximum sizes.

2-Reference Standard:

This test method conforms to the ASTM standard requirement of specification

C136.

3-Scope:

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

4-Summary of Test Method:

A sample of dry aggregate of known mass is separated through a series of sieves

of progressively smaller openings for determination of particle size distribution.
5. Significance and Use:

5.1- This test method is used primarily to determine the grading of materials
proposed for use as aggregates or being used as aggregates. The results are used to
determine compliance of the particle size distribution with applicable specification
requirements and 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.
5.2- Accurate determination of material finer than the 75-μm (No. 200) sieve
cannot be achieved by use of this test method alone. Test Method C117 for material
finer than 75-μm sieve by washing should be employed.

6.Apparatus:
6.1- Balances:-Balances or scales used in testing fine and coarse aggregate shall
have readability and accuracy as follows:

6.1.1- For fine aggregate, readable to 0.1 g and accurate to 0.1 g or 0.1 % of the
test load, whichever is greater, at any point within the range of use.

6.1.2- For coarse aggregate, or mixtures of fine and coarse aggregate, readable and
accurate to 0.5 g or 0.1 % of the test load, whichever is greater, at any point within
the range of use.

6.2-Sieves: The sieve cloth shall be mounted on substantial frames constructed in

a manner that will prevent loss of material during sieving. The sieve cloth and
standard sieve frames shall conform to the requirements of Specification E 11.
Nonstandard sieve frames shall conform to the requirements of Specification E 11
as applicable.
NOTE 1—It is recommended that sieves mounted in frames larger than standard
203.2 mm (8 in.) diameter be used for testing coarse aggregate to reduce the
possibility of overloading the sieves.

6.3-Mechanical Sieve Shaker: A mechanical sieving device, if used, shall create

motion of the sieves to cause the particles to bounce, tumble, or otherwise turn so
as to present different orientations to the sieving.

NOTE 2—Use of a mechanical sieve shaker is recommended when the size of the
sample is 20 kg or greater, and may be used for smaller samples, including fine
aggregate. Excessive time (more than approximately 10 min) to achieve adequate
sieving may result in degradation of the sample. The same mechanical sieve shaker
may not be practical for all sizes of samples, since the large sieving area needed for
practical sieving of a large nominal size coarse aggregate very likely could result in
loss of a portion of the sample if used for a small sample of coarse aggregate or fine
aggregate.

6.4-Oven: An oven of appropriate size capable of maintaining a uniform

temperature of 110 + 5°C (230 + 10°F).

stack of Mechanical Sieve Shaker

sieve
fig.(1) some of Apparatus
7. Sampling:
7.1- Sample the aggregate in accordance with Practice D 75 The size of the field
sample shall be the quantity shown in Practice D 75 or four times the quantity
required in 7.4 and 7.5(except as modified in 7.6), whichever is greater.

7.2- Fine Aggregate—The size of the test sample, after drying, shall be 300 g
minimum.

7.3- Coarse Aggregate—The size of the test sample ofcoarse aggregate shall
conform with the following:

Table (1) The size of the test sample of coarse and fine aggregate mixture

Nominal Maximum size , Test sample size Nominal Maximum size, Test sample size
Square opening ,m m(in) Kg [Ib] Square opening mm(in) Kg [Ib]

9.5(3/8) 1[2] 63(2.5) 35[77]

12.5(1/2) 2[4] 75(3) 60[130]

19.0(3/4) 5[11] 90(3.5) 100[220]

25.0(1) 10[22] 100(4) 150[330]

37.5(1.5) 15[33] 112 (4.5) 200 [440]

50(2) 20[44] 125(5) 300[660]

8-Procedure:
8.1- Dry the sample to constant mass at a temperature of 110 +5°C (230+ 9°F).

NOTE: For control purposes, particularly where rapid results are desired, it is
generally not necessary to dry coarse aggregate for the sieve analysis test. The
results are little affected by the moisture content unless: (1) the nominal maximum
size is smaller than about 12.5 mm (1⁄2 in.); (2) the coarse aggregate contains
appreciable material finer than 4.75 mm (No.4); or (3) the coarse aggregate is
highly absorptive (a lightweight aggregate, for example). Also, samples may be
dried at the higher temperatures associated with the use of hot plates without
affecting results, provided steam escapes without generating pressures sufficient to
fracture the particles, and temperatures are not so great as to cause chemical
breakdown of the aggregate.

8.2- Select sieves with suitable openings to furnish the information required by the
specifications covering the material to be tested. Nest the sieves in order of
decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and place the sample on the top sieve.
Agitate the sieves by hand or by mechanical apparatus for a sufficient period,
established by trial or checked by measurement on the actual test sample, to meet
the criterion for adequacy or sieving described in 8.4

1’’ sieve

8/3’’
sieve
#4 sieve

#8 sieve

#50 sieve

#200 sieve
pan

fig.(2) the principle of laboratory sieving with a stack of sieve.

8.3- Continue sieving for a sufficient period and in such manner that, after
completion, not more than 1 % by mass of the material retained on any individual
sieve will pass that sieve during 1 min of continuous hand sieving performed as
follows: Hold the individual sieve, provided with a snug-fitting pan and cover, in a
slightly inclined position in one hand. Strike the side of the sieve sharply and with
an upward motion against the heel of the other hand at the rate of about 150 times
per minute, turn the sieve about one sixth of a revolution at intervals of about 25
strokes. In determining sufficiency of sieving for sizes larger than the 4.75-mm (No.
4) sieve, limit the material on the sieve to a single layer of particles. If the size of
the mounted testing sieves makes the described sieving motion impractical, use 203-
mm (8 in.) diameter sieves to verify the sufficiency of sieving.

8.4- Unless a mechanical sieve shaker is used, hand sieve particles larger than 75
mm (3 in.) by determining the smallest sieve opening through which each particle
will pass. Start the test on the smallest sieve to be used. Rotate the particles, if
necessary, in order to determine whether they will pass through a particular
opening; however, do not force particles to pass through an opening.

8.5- Determine the mass of each size increment on a scale or balance conforming
to the requirements specified in 5.1 to the nearest 0.1 % of the total original dry
sample mass. The total mass of the material after sieving should check closely with
original mass of sample placed on the sieves. If the amounts differ by more than
0.3 %, based on the original dry sample mass, the results should not be used for
acceptance purposes.
 fig(3) Weighing the aggregate retained on a seive.

8.6- If the sample has previously been tested by Test Method C 117, add the mass
finer than the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve determined by that method to the mass passing
the 75-µm (No. 200) sieve by dry sieving of the same sample in this method.

9-How to remove the particles:

Particles caught in a screen should be removed by brushing with the proper sieve

brush wire. Brushing should be done from the underside of the screen in order

that the particles can be brushed out of screen in the direction from which it

entered the screen opening. Stubborn particles that cannot be removed by

brushing should be left in place rather than forced out.

10-Types of gradation:

well- graded (fig. 4) gap- graded (fig. 5) poorly- graded (fig.6)

11-Calculation and Result :
weight of dry sample =1Kg

Weight of retained =Weight of sieve with material-Weight of empty sieve

𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍

%retained material= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆

Cumulative passing %=100-% Cumulative retained

Table (2) shows the results obtained in the laboratory

Sieve size Weight Weight of Weight of material Cumulative Cumulative

of empty Sieve with retained retained % retained % passing %
sieve (g) material material
(g) (g)
1 in (25mm) 973 2094 1121 11.18 11.18 88.82

0.75 in (19mm) 895 1895 1000 9.97 21.15 78.85

0.5 in(12.5mm) 880 2085 1205 12.02 33.17 66.83

3/8in (9.5mm) 1222 1896 674 6.72 39.89 60.11

4.75mm(NO.4) 1217 2394 1177 11.74 51.63 48.37

2.36mm(No.8) 1079 1713 634 6.32 57.95 42.05

1.18mm(No.16) 698 1204 506 5.05 63 37

600 μm(No.30) 914 1358 444 4.43 67.43 32.57

300 μm(No.50) 828 1812 984 9.81 77.24 22.76

150µm(No.100) 861 2521 1660 16.55 93.79 6.21
75 μm(No.200) 842 1338 496 4.95 98.74 1.26
Pan 511 638 127 1.27 100.01
Total 10028