Sieve analysis is a method used to determine the particle size distribution of a granular material, such as coarse aggregates used in construction. The sieve analysis is performed by using a set of standard sieves with different opening sizes, and passing the sample of the coarse aggregate through them.
Sieve analysis of coarse aggregate
Here are the general steps for performing a sieve analysis of coarse aggregate:
Obtain a representative sample of the coarse aggregate. The sample should be large enough to ensure that it is representative of the entire batch of material, but small enough to fit into the sieves.
Clean the sieves to be used for the analysis, making sure there is no residual material from previous tests.
Weigh each sieve and record its weight.
Place the sample of coarse aggregate on the top sieve, and then stack the remaining sieves on top of each other, with the smallest opening size at the bottom.
Cover the top sieve and shake the stack of sieves using a mechanical or manual shaker until no more material passes through the sieves.
Weigh each sieve containing retained material and record its weight.
Calculate the percentage of material retained on each sieve by dividing the weight of the retained material by the total weight of the sample.
Plot the particle size distribution curve, which shows the percentage of material passing through each sieve versus the size of the opening.
Determine the particle size distribution parameters, such as the maximum size, minimum size, and the uniformity coefficient.
The results of sieve analysis can be used to ensure that the coarse aggregate meets the specifications for particle size distribution required for a particular application, such as concrete or asphalt.
Effects of too much water in concrete
IS sieve for coarse aggregate
As per the Indian Standards (IS), the following standard sieves are recommended for the sieve analysis of coarse aggregates:
80 mm
63 mm
50 mm
40 mm
31.5 mm
25 mm
20 mm
16 mm
12.5 mm
10 mm
6.3 mm
4.75 mm
These sieves are arranged in a descending order of opening size, from the largest at the top to the smallest at the bottom. The coarse aggregate sample is placed on the top sieve and then mechanically or manually shaken until no more material passes through the sieves. The retained material on each sieve is weighed, and the percentage of material retained is calculated. The results are then used to determine the particle size distribution of the coarse aggregate sample.
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