1.

0 Introduction
Sieve analysis of fine aggregate is an experiment to determine the size of particle
distribution in fine aggregate by sieving it. The size distribution is often of critical
importance to the way the material performs in use. A sieve analysis can be performed
on any type of non-organic or organic granular materials including sands, crushed
rock, clay, granite, feldspar, coal, soil, a wide range of manufactured powders, grain
and seeds, down to a minimum size depending on the exact method. Being such a
simple technique of particle sizing, it is probably the most common. In this
experiment, sieve of sizes varies from 75μm to 10mm. The fine modulus of the fine
aggregates can be determine and hence it will be tested for its suitability as concrete
material.
2.0 Objective
To obtain curve of fine aggregate.
3.0 Methodology
3.1 Equipment 3.2 Material
i) Balance i) 3kg sample of fine
aggregate
ii) Standard sieve
iii) Sieve shaker
3.3 Procedure
1) 3kg sample of fine aggregate were prepared as shown.

2) 500g of sample were obtained from quartering process.

3) The aggregate sample was placed in mechanical shaker which is arranged
according to size.

4) The sample is sieved by using the mechanical shaker for 5minutes.

5) The aggregate retained for each sieve plate size were weighed and the data was
recorded properly.

6) The grading curve was plotted from the test result.

7) The fine modulus of fine aggregate was determined by dividing the total
cumulative percentage for retain aggregate.
8) The suitability of the tested fine aggregate was determined as concrete material by
referring to the standard.
9) All the related references was stated.
4.0 Result

Sieve size according to British Standard Dry weight of used materials (g)
10.0mm 380
5.0mm 380
2.36mm 400
1.18mm 360
600μm 320
300μm 360
150μm 260
75μm 300
Pan 380
Table 1
Table 1 is tabulated by using the data collected by weighing all the dry weight of the
used materials to hold the fine aggregates. Therefore, when the fine aggregates are
weighed together with the used materials, the total weighed read cannot be read as the
mass of fine aggregates retained on the sieve. The dry weight of used materials in
table 1 must be deducted from the total weight respectively then it only can be
recorded in the mass of fine aggregates column in the table 2.

Sieve size Mass of fine Percentage of Cumulative Cumulative

according to aggregates fine aggregates percentage of percentage of
British retained (g) retained (%) fine aggregates fine aggregates
 Standard retained (%) passing (%)
10.0mm 0 0 0 100
5.0mm 10 2 2 98
2.36mm 60 12 14 86
1.18mm 120 24 38 62
600μm 80 16 54 46
300μm 120 24 78 22
150μm 80 16 94 6
75μm 20 4 98 2
Pan 10 2 100 0
TOTAL 500 100
Table 2
In table 2, the mass of fine aggregates retained are recorded during the experiment.
However, the percentage of fine aggregates retained, cumulative percentage of fine
aggregates retained and passing are calculated based on the mass of fine aggregates.
Hence, with this table, a graph of cumulative percentage of fine aggregates passing
versus sieve size according to British Standard will be able to be drawn.

Graph:
5.0 Discussion
Aggregate is a rock like material of various sizes and shapes that is used in
concrete mix. According to ASTM, it can be defined as a granular material such as
sand, gravel, crushed stone, or iron-blast slag used with cementing medium to form
mortar or concrete. Aggregates contribute to 65-85% of a concrete mix, accounting
for more than 30% of the total cost, hence aggregate very important and we must
always determine the suitability of the tested fine aggregate as concrete material.
 To determine the suitability of the tested fine aggregates concrete material, the
fine modulus of the fine aggregate is determined. According to table 2, the sum of
cumulative percentage of fine aggregates retained is 478.

 cumulative percentage of fine aggregates retained =

0+2+14+38+54+78+94+98+100 = 478

Next, the sum is divided by 100 and the fineness modulus is 4.78. According to
the requirements of ASTM C 33(AASTHO M 6), the fineness modulus must not be
less than 2.3 nor more than 3.1, nor vary more than 0.2 from the typical value of the
aggregate source. If this value is exceeded, the fine aggregate should be rejected
unless suitable adjustments are made in proportions of fine and course aggregates.
As a result, the tested fine aggregate is not suitable as a concrete material as it
does not meet the requirement of ASTM C 33(AASTHO M 6).

6.0 Conclusion
By conducting this experiment, the grading curve for the tested fine aggregate had
been obtained and the aggregate that we tested can be graded.
Based on the grading curve and the fineness modulus of the tested fine aggregate, it
can be considered as a poor-graded aggregate.
7.0 References
1. SAM 4062 CIVIL ENGINEERING LABORATORY II, Faculty of Civil
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
2. CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS Second edition, Shan Somayaji, Prentice-
Hall Inc, 2001, New Jersey.
3. CIVIL ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohd Sam, Fakulti
Kejuruteraan Awam, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
4. http://www.ce.memphis.edu/1101/notes/concrete/PCA_manual/Chap05.pdf
5. http://civilblog.org/2014/09/01/fineness-modulus-of-aggregate-what-why-how/