Name: fineness modulus from sieve analysis
Uploaded: 2024-11-07T14:48:25.000Z
Duration: 1 min 19 s
Channel: JoVE

Consider a sample of fine aggregates being sieved through a standard set of sieves. Note the weight of aggregates retained on each sieve.
Calculate the cumulative weight of aggregates retained on each sieve and express it as a percentage of the total sample weight.
If, for instance, all the particles are retained on or above a particular sieve, and nothing passes through it, the cumulative percentage retained for that sieve and those stacked underneath it is entered as 100.
The fineness modulus is calculated by summing the cumulative percentage retained on each sieve and dividing the total by 100.
The fineness modulus is a numerical index that represents the grading of aggregates.
When aggregates from the same source are used, slight variations in the gradation of fine aggregates are less visually obvious than with coarse aggregates.
These differences will be reflected in the fineness modulus value, which will be more insightful for fine aggregates than coarse aggregates.
Typically, the value of the fineness modulus for fine aggregates ranges from 2.3 to 3.1; the higher the value, the coarser the aggregates.

fineness modulus

The fineness modulus (FM) of aggregate is a numerical index that measures the coarseness or fineness of the particles. It is calculated by adding the cumulative percentages of aggregate retained on each of a specified series of sieves and dividing the sum by 100.
Consider performing sieve analysis on sand through a set of ASTM sieves. The weight of aggregate retained in each sieve and pan placed at the bottom is recorded, as given in Column B of Table 1.
To determine the fineness modulus of sand, calculate the cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each sieve (Column C of Table 1) and express it as a percentage of the total weight (Column D of Table 1). Finally, the sum of the cumulative percentages of aggregate retained on each sieve is determined and multiplied by 100 to obtain the fineness modulus of the sand.
Table 1: Sieve analysis on sand
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Column A</td>
			<td>Column B</td>
			<td>Column C</td>
			<td>Column D</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ASTM Sieve</td>
			<td>Weight retained on each sieve (g)</td>
			<td>Cumulative weight retained on each sieve (g)</td>
			<td> Cumulative percentage retained on each sieve (%)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			&#8540; inch
			</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>0</td>
			<td>0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 4</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>0+5 = 5</td>
			<td>5/500 = 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 8</td>
			<td>55</td>
			<td>5+55 = 60</td>
			<td>60/500 = 12</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 16</td>
			<td>65</td>
			<td>60+65 = 125</td>
			<td>125/500 = 25</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 30</td>
			<td>90</td>
			<td>125+90 = 215</td>
			<td>215/500 = 43</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 50</td>
			<td>160</td>
			<td>215+160 = 375</td>
			<td>375/500 = 75</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>No. 100</td>
			<td>90</td>
			<td>375+90 = 465</td>
			<td>465/500 = 93</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bottom pan</td>
			<td>35</td>
			<td>Total weight = 465+35 = 500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
<img alt="Equation &#931;cumulative percentage on sieves; data analysis in material sieve test results." src="/files/ftp_upload/16872/16872%20_Equation_PT_001v2.svg" style="height: 14px;" data-altupdatedat="1762173717000" data-alt="Eq1" />
<img alt="Fineness modulus of sand calculation formula, result equals 2.49, mathematical equation." src="/files/ftp_upload/16872/16872%20_Equation_PT_002v2.svg" style="height: 36px;" data-altupdatedat="1762173717000" data-alt="Eq2" />
In general, sand has a fineness modulus of around 2.3 to 3.1. Lower values indicate finer sand, while higher values mean the sand is more coarse.

Fineness Modulus

Consider a sample of fine aggregates being sieved through a standard set of sieves. Note the weight of aggregates retained on each sieve.
Calculate the ...

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fineness modulus from sieve analysis

Fineness modulus is a numerical index used to describe how coarse or fine aggregate particles are. For sand, it is found from sieve analysis using a standard set of ASTM sieves. The result helps show whether the sample is finer or more coarse.

To calculate fineness modulus, first record the weight of aggregate retained on each sieve and in the pan at the bottom. Then find the cumulative weight retained on each sieve. Next, express each cumulative weight as a percentage of the total sample weight. The fineness modulus is obtained by adding those cumulative percentages and dividing the sum by 100.

A sand sample can be tested with sieves such as ⅜ inch, No. 4, No. 8, No. 16, No. 30, No. 50, and No. 100. In the example, the retained weights are 0 g, 5 g, 55 g, 65 g, 90 g, 160 g, 90 g, and 35 g in the bottom pan. The cumulative percentages retained are 0, 1, 12, 25, 43, 75, and 93, based on a total weight of 500 g.

In general, sand has a fineness modulus of about 2.3 to 3.1. Lower values mean the sand is finer. Higher values mean the sand is more coarse.

Fineness Modulus from Sieve Analysis

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Learn how fineness modulus is calculated from sieve analysis of sand, using cumulative retained percentages on ASTM sieves to judge particle size.

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Fineness Modulus from Sieve Analysis

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