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Method of Test for Sieve Analysis
1. Scope: This test is for determining sieve analysis of subbase, base course, mineral aggregate (Surface course materials), concrete aggregates, fillers, and similar materials. 2. Apparatus: 2.1 Scale or balance having the capacity to weigh any sample which may be tested utilizing this procedure and readable to the nearest 0.1 gram. 2.2 Sieves. Standard square opening, conforming to ASTM E 11. 2.3 Drying oven capable of maintaining a temperature of 230 9 F. 2.4 Pans, scoops, brushes, etc., for handling materials. 2.5 Unit weight bucket. 2.6 Mechanical sieve shaker. 3. Procedure: Surface Course Materials: 3.1 Obtain a sample in accordance with SD 201. The sample shall be large enough to provide specimens for all required testing. 3.2 Reduce the sample to the size of the specimen needed for testing by splitting or quartering in accordance with SD 213. 3.3 Minimum sample size. NOTE: Nominal maximum size of particle is denoted by the smallest sieve opening listed below, through which 90% or more of the sample being tested will pass. Nominal maximum size of particle Minimum wt. of sample (Grams) #4 500 3/8” 1000 1/2” 2500 3/4” 5000 1” 10000 1 1/2” 15000 2” 20000 2 1/2” 35000 3” 60000 3 1/2” 100000 4” 150000
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3.4 The sample shall be dried to a constant weight at a temperature of 230 9 F or
in accordance with SD 108. Frequent stirring will expedite the drying procedure. NOTE: Cool until the container can be handled comfortably with bare hands and the operation of balance or sieves on which sample is placed are not affected by heat convection from material/pan. 3.5 Determine loose weight, if required, in accordance with SD 20 5. 3.6 Weigh the sample and record the weight in the “Original dry sample weight” box of the DOT- 3 worksheet to the nearest 0.1 gram. 3.7 Assemble a series of sieves that will 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 include a pan below the last sieve. 3.8 Pour the sample into the top sieve of the nest. Agitate the sieves by hand or on a mechanical shaker for a sufficient period of time, established by trial or checked by measurement on the actual test sample, to meet the criterion for adequacy of sieving.
NOTE: The adequacy of sieving can be checked by the hand method.
Hand sieving is done by using an individual sieve with a cover and
pan while rotating and tapping the sieve approximately two times per
second for one minute. The end point for sieving is when not more
than 0.5% by weight shall pass that sieve.
3.9 Remove any dirt adhering to the + #4 material. This can be accomplished by
dumping the material from each individual sieve into a flat pan and rubbing it
with a soft pine or rubber covered block. After the dirt has been removed,
pour the contents of the pan back onto the sieves and complete the shaking.
An alternate method is to place the material retained on an individual sieve in a cement sample can. With the lid in place, agitate the aggregate using a circular motion. The material is then reintroduced to the sieve and sieved by hand. 3.10 Weigh the material retained on each sieve and the material in the pan to the nearest 0.1 gram and record the weights on the worksheet. Tabulate the total for these weights. The tabulated total should check within 0.3% of the “Original dry sample weight.” If it does not, a backup sample shall be tested. 3.11 In the coarse sieve series, the weight retained on a sieve in kg at the completion of sieving shall not exceed the product of 2.5 times the sieve size opening in millimeters times the effective sieving area in m^2. In the fine sieve series (Openings smaller than #4) the weight retained on any sieve shall not be greater than 4 g/in.^2 (See Chart 1 below). If any sieve is overloaded, make a notation on the gradation sheet and sieve the material retained on that sieve by hand in split portions until the adequacy of sieving requirement is met. Prevent the occurrence of any further overloading of sieves by using one of the following: insert an additional sieve with an opening size in between the overloaded sieve size and
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3.16 Using the material from the pan below the #4 sieve, split out samples in accordance with SD 213 to conduct the balance of the required testing. The number and size of samples to be split out will depend on the type of material being tested. Most surface course materials will require a sample to complete the fine portion of the sieve analysis (500 gram min) and one for liquid limit/plastic limit/plasticity index. (500 gram min) If you are testing uncoated mineral aggregate for asphalt concrete, a third sample will have to be split out for a particles less than 1.95 specific gravity test. 3.17 Weigh the sample to be used for the fine portion of the sieve analysis to the nearest 0.1 gram and record the weight on the “Weight before washing” line on the worksheet. 3.18 Place the sample in a pan and add enough water to cover it. Agitate the sample with sufficient vigor to result in complete separation of all particles finer than the #200 sieve from the coarser particles and bring the fine material into suspension. Pour the wash water containing the suspended and dissolved solids over a nest of 2 sieves. The lower sieve of the nest shall be a #200 and the upper shall be in a range of #8 to #16. Both of the sieves shall conform to the requirements of ASTM E 11. Repeat the process of adding water, agitating the sample, and pouring the water over the nest of sieves until the wash water is clear. 3.19 Dry the washed aggregate to a constant weight in an oven at 230 9 F, as per SD 108 and weigh to the nearest 0.1 gram. Record this weight on the “Weight after washing” line of the worksheet. NOTE: Cool until the container can be handled comfortably with bare hands and the operation of balance or sieves on which sample is placed are not affected by heat convection from material/pan. Subtract the weight of the sample after washing, from the weight of the sample before washing and record the result on the “Loss from washing (- #200)” line and on the “Pan wash” line below the #200 sieve on the sieve analysis. 3.20 Assemble a series of sieves that will furnish the information required by the specifications covering the material being tested. Nest the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and include a pan below the last sieve. 3.21 Pour the aggregate into the top sieve of the nest, place the nest of sieves on a mechanical shaker and shake for a sufficient period of time (A minimum of 10 minutes). Adequacy of sieving can be checked as outlined in 3.8 above. The quantity of material retained on any sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed 4 grams per in^2 of sieve surface area. This amounts to 200 grams for an 8” diameter sieve. 3.22 Weigh the material retained on each sieve and in the pan and record the weights on the worksheet to the nearest 0.1 gram. Add the retained weights including the “Pan dry” and “Pan wash” quantities below the #200 sieve. Record this weight on the “Total” line at the bottom of the worksheet. This weight must be within
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0.3% of the weight of the sample before washing. If it is not, a new sample shall be tested. NOTE: Correct brush to use when cleaning sieves. 3/8" to #16 - steel #20 to #50 - brass #80 to > - paint 3.23 Complete the calculations for the fine sieves, beginning by dividing the initial sample weight derived in 3.17 above into the retained weights for each sieve and record the results on the worksheet to the nearest 0.1%. Next, multiply these retained percentages times the accumulative percentage passing the #4 sieve determined in 3.13 above and record the results on the worksheet again to the nearest 0.1%. Finally, determine the accumulative percentage passing each of these sieves by subtracting the retained percentage from the previous sieves accumulative passing percentage. 3.24 The percentage of material passing each sieve in the coarse and fines portion of the analysis may now be rounded and reported on the worksheet to the nearest whole number except the #200 sieve shall be reported to the nearest 0.1%. 3.25 Prepare the sample of material split out earlier as outlined in SD 207 for liquid limit/plastic limit/plasticity index. testing. 3.26 Perform the liquid limit and plastic limit in accordance with SD 207, calculate the plasticity index, and report the results on the sieve analysis worksheet. 3.27 If the sample being tested requires a result for percentage of particles less Than 1.95 specific gravity for the - #4 sieve material, perform the test on the 250 to 350 gram sample split out in 3.16 above in accordance with SD 208. Process for determining total - #200 materials in asphalt concrete (excludes Class S): 3.28 Following completion of the coarse sieve analysis combine all materials which were retained on #4 sieve and above and split out a sample for total - # testing in accordance with SD 213 which meets the requirements shown in the following table. Nominal maximum size of particles Minimum weight of sample, grams #4 500 3/8" 500 1/2" 700 3/4" 1000 1" 1500 3.29 Weigh the sample to the nearest 0.1 g and record the weight as "Weight before washing" in the box labeled “(A)” below the coarse sieve area as shown on the enclosed example DOT-3 worksheet. 3.30 Place the sample in a pan and add enough water to cover it. Agitate the sample with sufficient vigor to result in complete separation of all particles finer than the #200 sieve from the coarser particles and bring the fine material into suspension.
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Calculations:
Retained #4 sieve (G) 38.9% x (D) 1.01% pass on coarse aggregate = 0.39% 100 Passing #4 sieve (F) 61.1% x (E) 10.06% pass on fine sieve analysis = 6.15% 100 0.39 + 6.15 = 6.54 or 6.5% total minus #200 for the sample. Coarse Aggregate for Concrete: 3.35 Obtain a sample in accordance with SD 201. The sample shall be large enough to provide specimens for all required testing. 3.36 Reduce the sample to the size of the various specimens needed for testing by splitting or quartering in accordance with SD 213. The number of specimens needed will depend on the testing required for the sample. Most samples will require, as a minimum, a sieve analysis, material finer than #200 sieve and particles less than 1.95 specific gravity in coarse aggregate. 3.37 For the minimum size of samples for the various tests required, see 3.3 above for the sieve analysis, SD 206 for material finer than #200 sieve, SD 214 for particles less than 1.95 specific gravity in coarse aggregate and SD 218 for scratch hardness. Coarse aggregate for lightweight concrete specimens shall consist of 0.1 ft^3 or more of the material. 3.38 Perform the sieve analysis following the procedure outlined in 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, and 3.13 above. Coarse aggregate for concrete has a specification on the #8 sieve, so it will be necessary to add that sieve to the nest of sieves. 3.39 Using the samples split out in 3.36 above, perform the test for material finer than #200 sieve in accordance with SD 206, particles less than 1.95 specific gravity in coarse aggregate in accordance with SD 214 and scratch hardness of natural coarse aggregate in accordance with SD 218. Report the results of these tests on the worksheet in accordance with the guidelines provided by the applicable test procedure.
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Fine Aggregate for Concrete: 3.40 Obtain a sample in accordance with SD 201. The sample shall be large enough to provide specimens for all required testing. 3.41 If the sample has free moisture on the particle surface, the entire sample may be dried or it may be split using a mechanical splitter with chute openings of 1 1/2” or more, to not less than 5000 grams and then dried. 3.42 Reduce the dried sample to the size of the various specimens needed for testing by splitting or quartering in accordance with SD 213. The number of specimens needed will depend on the testing required for the sample. NOTE: If the sample received from the field does not have free moisture on the particle surface, it may be reduced to the various testing specimens by splitting or quartering in accordance with SD 213. It will, however, require drying before testing. Most samples will require, as a minimum, a sieve analysis, inclusive of material finer than #200 sieve, and particles less than 1.95 specific gravity in fine aggregate. The sample split out for the sieve analysis, inclusive of material finer than # sieve, must contain a minimum of 500 grams while the sample for the less than 1.95 specific gravity in fine aggregate test must contain between 250 and 350 grams. The minimum sample specimen weight for the sieve analysis, inclusive of material finer than #200 sieve, for lightweight fine aggregate shall be as shown below: Min. weight Wt. of aggregate of test specimen (lbs./ft^3 ) (grams) 5 to 15 50 15 to 25 100 25 to 35 150 35 to 45 200 45 to 55 250 55 to 65 300 65 to 75 350 3.43 Perform the sieve analysis, inclusive of material finer than #200 sieve, in accordance with procedure outlined in 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, and 3. above. Fine aggregate for concrete has a specification on the 3/8” and #4 sieve, so it will be necessary to add these sieves to the nest of sieves.
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times the percentage of the sand and rock used in the mix according to the design mix, divide each of the results by 100 and then add them together.
Example:
1.65% passing #200 sieve on coarse aggregate. 0.95% passing #200 sieve on fine aggregate. Coarse aggregate is 64.4% of total aggregate used in the mix. Fine aggregate is 35.6% of total aggregate used in the mix. Coarse aggregate 1. 65 % x 64. 4 % / 100 = 1. 06 % Fine aggregate 0. 9 5% x 35. 6 % / 100 = 0. 34 % Combined - #200 sieve = 1. 40 or 1.4%. The final percentage shall be recorded to the nearest 0.1%. 3.49 Perform the test for particles less than 1.95 specific gravity in fine aggregates in accordance with SD 208 and report the results on the worksheet. Class S, Microsurfacing, Asphalt Surface Treatments and Miscellaneous Fine Aggregate: 3.50 Obtain a sample in accordance with SD 201. The sample shall be large enough to provide specimens for all required testing. 3.51 Reduce the dried sample to the size of the various specimens needed for testing by splitting or quartering in accordance with SD 213. The number of specimens needed will depend on the testing required for the sample. 3.52 The minimum sample size shall be as outlined in 3.3 above. 3.53 If the sample being tested requires a result for flakiness index, perform the test in accordance with SD 203 using a portion of the aggregate retained on the # sieve and above. 3.54 If the sample being tested requires a result for percentage of crushed particles, perform the test in accordance with SD 211 using a portion of the aggregate retained on the #4 sieve and above.
- 55 If liquid limit/plastic limit/plasticity index is required by specifications, a sample of
- #4 shall be obtained from a separate split. The sample split out for the liquid limit/plastic limit/plasticity index. must be of adequate size to produce at least 100 grams of - #40 sieve material. 3.56 The sample shall be oven dried to a constant weight at a temperature of 230° ± 9°F or in accordance with SD 108. 3.57 Weigh the sample and record the weight in the “Weight before washing” line in the fine aggregate portion of the worksheet to the nearest 0.1 gram. 3.58 Perform wash as outlined in 3.18 above.
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3.59 Dry the washed aggregate to a constant weight in an oven at 230° ± 9°F as per SD 108 and weight to the nearest 0.1 gram. Record this weight on the “Weight after washing” line in the fine aggregate portion of the worksheet to the nearest 0.1 gram. 3.60 Subtract the weight of the sample after washing, from the weight of the sample before washing and record the result on the “Loss from washing (- # 2 00)” line and on the “Pan wash” line below the #200 sieve on the sieve analysis. 3.61 Assemble a series of sieves that will furnish the information required be the specifications covering the material being tested. The use of 12” diameter sieves is recommended to prevent sieve overloading. 3.62 Pour the aggregate into the top sieve of the nest, place the nest of sieves on a mechanical shaker and shake for a sufficient period of time (A minimum of 10 minutes). Adequacy of sieving can be checked as outlined in 3.8 above. The quantity of material retained on any sieve at the completion of the sieving operation shall not exceed the amount listed in “Chart 1” of 3.11 above. 3.63 Weigh the material retained on each sieve and in the pan and record the weights on the worksheet to the nearest 0.1 gram. Add the retained weights including the “Pan Dry” and “Pan Wash” quantities below the #200 sieve. Record this weight on the “Total” line at the bottom of the worksheet. This weight must be within 0.3% of the weight of the sample before washing. If it is not, a new sample shall be tested. 3.64 Calculate the percentage of material retained on each sieve to the nearest 0.1% by dividing the weight of the retained material by the weight of the sample before washing. Material passing #200 should be calculated to 0.01% and rounded to 0.1%. 3.65 Determine the accumulative percent passing each sieve by subtracting the retained percentage for the top sieve from 100.0 and continue subtracting the retained percentage for each sieve from the previous sieves accumulative passing percentage. 3.66 The percentage of material passing each sieve may now be rounded and reported on the DOT- 3 to the nearest whole number except the #200 sieve shall be reported to the nearest 0.1%.
4. Report: 4. 1 Test results will be reported on form DOT-3 or DOT-68 (These forms do not apply to the Central Lab). Use of the DOT-68 is limited to the following: A. Concrete where 2 or more aggregate piles are being weighed during batching to meet a single gradation specification. B. Asphalt for mineral aggregate samples on projects utilizing a batch type mixing plant.
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G. Multiply line (K) by “Total Agg %”, line (H) divide by 100 and enter on line (L) for “Bin adj. - 200”. H. Multiply line (M) by “Total Agg %” line (I) divide by 100 and enter on line (N) for “Bin adj. - 200”. wt. before wash 3771.0 wt. before wash 2752. wt. after wash 3728.2 wt. after wash 2707. loss from wash 42.8 loss from wash 45. % - #200 ==> 1.1 3 (K) % - #200 ==> 1.66 (M) Bin adj. - #200 0 .8 77 (L) Bin adj. - #200 0.372 (N) I. Add lines (L) and (N) and enter on line (O) for “Total Combined - 200” for the Coarse Aggregate. J. The value from line (O) will then be carried to line (P) to calculate the “Total/Combined - 200 ” with the Fine Aggregate. Note: You must link the Fine Aggregate test with the Coarse Aggregate in MS&T for this calculation to occur. K. You must enter the % of Fine Aggregate from the Mix Design on line (Q). Also enter the % of Coarse Aggregate from the Mix Design on line (P). The total of the column “% Retain/Design” must = 100.
(O)
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L. Calculate the “Total/Combined - #200” as per 3. M. To calculate the Composite Coarse Aggregate “Retained Total” multiply the “% total ret.” from the respective sieve by the “Total Aggregate %” on the Mix Batch Ticket. Example: (See line (J)) For 3/8 1” Rock multiply 20.3 x 0.776 = 15.75, round to 15.8, and 3/8 Chip multiply 3.4 x 0.224 = 0 .76 round to 0 .8, NOTE: you will round these numbers to report on the form but keep them at two decimal places to add in the next step. Now add 15.75 + .76 = 16.51, round to 16.5, this is your “Retained Total” for 3/8. N. Calculate the “Cumulative % Passing” as per 3.13. O. If the sample being tested requires a result for percentage of particles less than 1.95 specific gravity for the + #4 sieve material, perform the test in accordance with SD 214 using a portion of the aggregate retained on the # sieve and above.
5. References: AASHTO T 27 ASTM E 11 SD 108 SD 201 SD 204 SD 206 SD 207 SD 2 08 SD 211 SD 213
SD 214
DOT- 3
DOT- 68
DOT- 69
(P)
(Q)
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