Sieve analysis (particle size distribution test, granulometry) determines how much material in an aggregate sample falls into each size range by passing it through sieves of different apertures. The results are shown on a grading curve. Sieve analysis is the most basic check of concrete and asphalt mix design, of a product’s conformity with the specification and of whether a crushing and screening plant is set up correctly.
In this guide we explain the steps of sieve analysis, the sieve sizes used, the calculation method, how to plot and interpret the grading curve and how to reflect the results in plant settings on site. Note: The test method follows EN 933-1, and sieve series follow EN 933-2 and the relevant product standards. In laboratory practice, the current text of the standard should be followed.
Why Is Sieve Analysis Carried Out?
- To check whether a product is within its stated fraction (d/D),
- To determine aggregate proportions for concrete and asphalt mixes,
- To measure fines content (passing 0.063 mm),
- To spot plant problems early, such as crusher setting, screen wire wear or tears,
- To detect segregation in the stockyard (stockyard management).
Sieve Sizes
Square-aperture test sieves are used in aggregate sieve analysis. European standards define a basic set and supplementary sets:
| Set | Sieve Apertures (mm) |
|---|---|
| Basic set | 0.063 – 0.125 – 0.25 – 0.5 – 1 – 2 – 4 – 8 – 16 – 31.5 – 63 |
| Basic set + Set 1 | In addition to the basic set: 5.6 – 11.2 – 22.4 – 45 |
| Basic set + Set 2 | In addition to the basic set: 6.3 – 10 – 12.5 – 14 – 20 – 40 |
Which sieves are used depends on the product standard and specification. These are laboratory test sieves; the production screen wires in the plant may have different sizes and wire diameters (screen wire sizes).
Test Steps
- Representative sampling: The sample is taken representatively from a stockpile, conveyor or truck and reduced to test size by quartering or a riffle box. The required sample size increases with the maximum particle size.
- Drying: The sample is dried at about 110 °C to constant mass and weighed (M₁).
- Washing: The sample is washed on a 0.063 mm sieve (with a protective sieve above it) until the water runs clear; fines are removed.
- Drying and weighing again: The washed sample is dried and weighed (M₂).
- Sieving: Sieves are stacked from largest to smallest; the sample is sieved by hand or on a sieve shaker. Sieves must not be overloaded.
- Weighing: The material retained on each sieve and collected in the pan is weighed.
- Check: The sum of the retained masses and the pan is compared with M₂; if the difference exceeds a set limit (1% in EN 933-1), the test is repeated.
Calculation
- Retained (%) = Mass retained on the sieve / M₁ × 100
- Cumulative retained (%) = Total retained on that sieve and those above / M₁ × 100
- Passing (%) = 100 − Cumulative retained (%)
- Fines content f (%) = [(M₁ − M₂) + material in the pan] / M₁ × 100
Worked Example (0/16 mm Sample)
Let M₁ = 2000 g (dry) and, after washing, M₂ = 1900 g:
| Sieve (mm) | Retained (g) | Cumulative Retained (g) | Cumulative Retained (%) | Passing (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| 8 | 400 | 400 | 20.0 | 80.0 |
| 4 | 500 | 900 | 45.0 | 55.0 |
| 2 | 350 | 1250 | 62.5 | 37.5 |
| 1 | 250 | 1500 | 75.0 | 25.0 |
| 0.5 | 160 | 1660 | 83.0 | 17.0 |
| 0.25 | 120 | 1780 | 89.0 | 11.0 |
| 0.125 | 70 | 1850 | 92.5 | 7.5 |
| 0.063 | 30 | 1880 | 94.0 | 6.0 |
| Pan | 20 | 1900 | — | — |
Check: retained + pan = 1900 g = M₂ (no difference). Fines content: f = [(2000 − 1900) + 20] / 2000 × 100 = 6.0%, consistent with the passing value at 0.063 mm.
How to Plot and Interpret the Grading Curve
On the grading curve, sieve apertures are shown on the horizontal axis on a logarithmic scale and percentage passing on the vertical axis. The lower and upper limit curves from the specification are drawn on the same graph to see whether the product stays within the envelope.
| Curve Type | Appearance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Well graded | Smooth, continuous curve | Low void ratio; generally wanted for concrete and road material |
| Single-sized (uniform) | Steep curve | Particles of similar size; drainage material |
| Gap graded | Curve with a horizontal step | Some sizes missing; a special case in mix design |
| Fine-heavy / coarse-heavy | Curve above / below the envelope | Out of specification; plant adjustment needed |
How to Reflect the Results in Plant Settings
| Finding | Possible Cause | Plant Action |
|---|---|---|
| Product top size too large (oversize) | Worn or torn screen wire, wrong aperture | Check and replace the screen wire |
| Too much undersize in the fraction | Overloaded screen, blinded screen surface | Reduce screen load, clean the surface, self-cleaning wire |
| High fines | Clay, insufficient pre-screening, lack of washing | Pre-screening, washing or hydrocyclone (hydrocyclone) |
| High coarse content in sand | Crusher setting too wide, worn VSI rotor tips | Reduce the crusher setting, renew wear parts |
| Grading drifts over time | Wear of wear parts | Wear monitoring and setting correction |
For the effect of crusher setting on product see our cone crusher guide and VSI guide, and for aggregate quality criteria our aggregate standards guide.
Other Aggregate Tests
- Flakiness and shape index: Assessment of particle shape (aggregate quality).
- Methylene blue test: The amount of harmful clay in the fines.
- Los Angeles abrasion test: Resistance to fragmentation.
- Water absorption and particle density: Mix calculations and freeze–thaw.
Common Mistakes
- Taking an unrepresentative sample (only from the toe of the stockpile).
- Sieving without washing, understating the fines content.
- Overloading the sieves and sieving incompletely.
- Using worn or damaged test sieves.
- Not recording results and not tracking trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is aggregate sieve analysis done?
The dried sample is washed, dried again and passed through sieves stacked from largest to smallest; the material retained on each sieve is weighed and cumulative retained and passing percentages are calculated.
Why is the grading curve plotted on a logarithmic scale?
Because sieve apertures increase roughly in a geometric series, a logarithmic scale lets fine and coarse sizes appear evenly on the graph.
How is fines content calculated?
The mass lost in washing plus the material in the pan is divided by the initial dry mass.
How often should sieve analysis be done?
It depends on the product and specification; in production control at regular intervals, and always after setting changes, part changes or a change of rock in the plant.
How Large Should the Sample Be?
In sieve analysis the sample must be large enough for the maximum particle size; even a few coarse particles can change the result significantly. As a general principle, the minimum test sample mass increases with the maximum particle size (D). For example, a few hundred grams may be enough for fine sand, while kilograms of sample are needed for coarse aggregate with a 31.5 mm top size. The exact minimum values should be taken from the test standard’s table.
Using Sieve Analysis in Production Control
| Application | How It Is Used |
|---|---|
| Trend tracking | Percentages passing certain sieves are plotted over time; drift is noticed early |
| Crusher wear | Product coarsening at a fixed setting shows wear parts thinning |
| Screen wire check | Oversize in a fraction indicates torn screen wire |
| Blending | Mix proportions of different fractions are calculated against the target grading |
| Customer documentation | Basic data for declarations of performance and quality records |
Field Example
At one plant, sieve analysis of the 5–12 mm product shows the proportion of particles below 4 mm rising over a few weeks. Inspection of the screen deck reveals that the lower-deck screen wire is partly blinded and the screen load has risen with a capacity increase. Replacing the screen wire with a self-cleaning type and adjusting the feed to the screen area brings the product back within the specification envelope.
Glossary
- Granulometry: Particle size distribution.
- Cumulative retained: The total percentage of material retained on a sieve and those above it.
- Percentage passing: The percentage of material passing a sieve.
- Fines (f): The proportion of material passing the 0.063 mm sieve.
- Grading envelope: The lower and upper limit curves given in the specification.
- Quartering: A method of reducing a sample representatively.
More Questions
What is the difference between dry sieving and washed sieving?
Washed sieving also removes the fines sticking to particles, so fines content is measured more accurately.
How long should sieving last on a sieve shaker?
Sieving must be complete; the standard provides a completion check, such as material retained on a sieve not changing significantly after a set period of hand sieving.
What is the fineness modulus?
A value expressing the fineness of sand as a single number, found by dividing the sum of cumulative retained percentages on a defined standard sieve series by 100; the sieve series used is set by the relevant standard.
CSP Mühendislik Support
CSP Mühendislik provides engineering support on crusher setting, screen wire selection and plant layout based on sieve analysis results, and supplies screen wire and wear parts. See our vibrating screen spare parts page for screen parts and our crusher spare parts page for crusher parts.
