Created: 2024/09/07 10:40

Experiment no. 06

Experiment name: Sieve analysis of fine aggregates and coarse aggregates

Objectives

• To carry out sieve analysis of fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates.
• To determine FM (Fineness Modulus) of fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and combined aggregates.

Significance

1. Primarily to determine grading of materials proposed for use of aggregates.
2. Determine compliance of particles' size distribution.
3. Provide necessary data for control of production.

Apparatus

1. Balance
2. Sieves
3. Mechanical sieve shaker
4. Oven

Data sheet & calculation

Result

The determined fineness modulus of fine aggregates is 2.78, coarse aggregates is 7.40, and combined aggregates is 6.98.

Discussion

In this experiment, the FM values of fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and combined aggregates were successfully determined. The determined values were respectively 2.78, 7.40, and 6.98 while the standard ranges of fine and coarse aggregates are respectively 2.2 to 4.0, and 5.5 to 8.0.

The FM of fine aggregates (2.78) is between the standard range of 2.2 to 4.0, meaning they are well-graded and can be used for concrete design. The FM of coarse aggregates (7.40) is also within the acceptable range of 5.5 to 8.0, indicating they are properly graded for concrete applications.

It is possible that there are some deviations from true result due to various factors including shaking time. The coarse aggregates should have been shaken for 2 minutes and fine aggregates for 10 minutes while it was shook for 6 minutes. There was at least one observed instance where particles from sieve no. $\frac{3}{4}\text{[PARSE ERROR: Undefined("Command("space")")]}in$ fell into sieve no. $\frac{3}{8}\text{[PARSE ERROR: Undefined("Command("space")")]}in$ after shaking was complete and during measurements, indicating more instances of similar events exists. Appropriate time of shaking could've improved accuracy.