Aggregate test sieve

What is an aggregate test sieve?

Aggregate test sieves are typically multi-layered for particle size classification. Common test sieves generally have five to seven layers, with each layer having progressively smaller mesh sizes, from top to bottom: 40mm, 25mm, 19mm, 9.5mm, 4.75mm, 2.36mm, 0.6mm, etc. Particles remaining on the sieve are considered particles of that layer and fall to the next layer for further classification. Each layer corresponds to a different mesh size; for example, 4.75mm is approximately 4 mesh, 2.36mm is approximately 8 mesh, and 0.6mm is approximately 30 mesh. Multi-layered sieving allows for accurate determination of aggregate particle size distribution, providing data for concrete or asphalt mixture design.

Aggregate is a general term for granular materials such as sand and stone in building materials. Its particle gradation and other characteristics directly affect the strength and construction performance of concrete and mortar. Aggregate test sieve is a special equipment used to determine the particle gradation of aggregates. It is usually composed of multiple sieve layers with different sieve hole sizes, arranged in order from large to small. The sieve hole size covers multiple levels from 63mm to 0.075mm, which can classify coarse aggregate and fine aggregate.

Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates

Sieve analysis is a key tool in civil engineering to measure the particle size distribution of soils, especially coarse aggregates and gravel. Sieve analysis is more than just a tool to measure size; it is a critical quality parameter that ensures the structural integrity of building materials. The process requires the use of a series of sieves of varying mesh sizes arranged in descending order. The sample is sieved through these sieves, which determines the distribution of different particle sizes.

Another important aspect of sieve analysis is the distinction between coarse and fine aggregates through coarse sieve analysis. Coarse aggregates with diameters greater than 0.19 inches are primarily used as non-reactive fillers in concrete. Fine aggregates are more rounded in shape and smaller in size and are used to fill voids in materials such as mortar, stucco, and concrete. Sieve analysis of these aggregates gives us an idea of their particle size distribution, ensuring they are suitable for their intended use.

Difference between coarse and fine aggregate test sieves

Project	Coarse aggregate test sieve	Fine aggregate test sieve
Image
Test object	Coarse aggregate (such as crushed stone, pebbles)	Fine aggregate (such as medium sand, fine sand)
Sieve size range	Generally 4.75mm and above (common sieve holes: 63mm, 31.5mm, 16mm, 8mm, 4.75mm)	Generally 4.75mm and below (common sieve holes: 2.36mm, 1.18mm, 0.6 mm, 0.3mm, 0.15mm, 0.075mm)
Number of screen layers	usually fewer, coarser screen layers	usually more, finer screen layers
Screen material	usually woven steel wire mesh or punched steel plate	usually woven stainless steel wire mesh
Main uses	analyze the gradation of crushed stone and pebbles for concrete	analyze the fineness modulus and gradation of sand for concrete
Screening levels	3-10 layers (adjusted according to standards, such as 5-20mm continuous gradation requires 5 layers)	6 -8 layers (fineness modulus measurement needs to cover the entire particle size range)
Purpose of particle grading	Control aggregate particle size distribution to ensure concrete structural performance	Control sand fineness modulus to affect concrete workability and strength

How many types of devices are there in Aggregate Test Sieve?

Aggregate test sieves come in three types: tapping sieves, top-impact sieves, and experimental sieves. The differences between these three types in terms of material characteristics, number of sieve layers, and functions are as follows:

Tapping Sieve:Typically has 1 to 8 layers. Material is passed through the sieve mesh by tapping the sieve frame from top to bottom or side to side. The action is gentle, minimizing powder damage. Used for particle size distribution analysis and checking sieve uniformity. Suitable for medium-sized, dry particles such as sand, gravel, and ore powder.

Top-Impact Sieve:Typically has 1 to 8 layers. The sieve frame rotates horizontally and vertically with slight collisions, resulting in high sieving efficiency. Larger particles are less likely to clog the mesh. Used for precision particle size analysis and checking mixing uniformity. Suitable for coarse or irregularly shaped materials such as crushed stone and coarse sand.

Experimental Sieve:Typically has 1 layer (single-layer sieve) or 2 to 4 layers (multi-layer sieve). Manual or vibratory sieving is used. The sieve mesh can be quickly changed, making operation simple. Used for rapid sieving and particle size distribution testing in the laboratory. Suitable for dry powders, small particles, or materials with uniform particle size, such as cement, fly ash, and fine sand.

Main structure of Aggregate test sieve

The main structure of an aggregate test sieve includes a sieve frame, a sieve mesh, a support frame, and a base. The sieve frame is used to fix the sieve mesh, which determines the particle size to be sieved. The support frame ensures the stability of the sieve frame, and the base bears the weight and facilitates vibration operation.

Sieve frame: generally round or square, made of stainless steel or brass, inner diameter and height set according to standards;

Screen: woven wire mesh or punched plate, precise sieve hole size, in line with relevant standards (such as 0.075mm to 63mm);

Screen cover and receiving tray: prevent sample scattering during screening and facilitate collection of undersize;

Detection principle and process of Aggregate test sieve

Pour a certain mass of aggregate sample into the top sieve, vibrate or shake to make aggregate particles fall in layers according to particle size, particles with particle size smaller than the sieve aperture pass through the sieve, and the final aggregate mass ratio retained by each sieve is the particle content in the particle size range, thereby drawing the aggregate particle grading curve.

Sample preparation: Dry the aggregate sample to constant weight, remove impurities, and weigh the sample of specified mass.

Assemble the sieve group: Stack the sieves in order from large to small aperture, place the receiving tray at the bottom, and cover the top.

Screening operation: Pour the sample into the top sieve, fix the sieve group and perform vibration screening (usually for 10-15 minutes) until the amount of passing through per minute does not exceed 0.1% of the total mass of the sample.

Weighing and calculation: Weigh the mass of aggregate retained by each sieve separately, and calculate its percentage of the total mass of the sample, which is the particle grading of the particle size range.

Main features of Aggregate test sieve

The Aggregate Test Sieve is characterized by its variety of sieve specifications, which can be selected according to particle size; its stable structural design, with the sieve frame and support frame closely fitted; and its flexible operation, which can be done manually or with vibration.

Standardization of sieve specifications: The sieve aperture strictly follows the relevant standards. Common apertures of sand detection sieves include 0.075mm, 0.15mm, 0.3mm, 0.6mm, 1.18mm, 2.36mm, 4.75mm, etc. Common apertures of stone detection sieves include 2.36mm, 4.75mm, 9.5mm, 16mm, 19mm, 26.5mm, 31.5mm, 37.5mm, etc. The sieve material is mostly metal wire (such as stainless steel), which is wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant.

Professional structural design: It is usually composed of multiple sieves with different apertures, with a base and a top cover to form a complete screening device. Common specifications of sieve diameters are 300mm, 200mm, etc. The height is adjusted according to the number of sieves, which is convenient for laboratory operation and batch testing.

Diversified operation methods: Suitable for small-scale testing or teaching scenarios, screening is completed by manually shaking the sieve group. Automated screening is achieved with the help of a vibrating screen machine (such as a top-impact vibrating screen machine), which is more efficient and suitable for large-scale testing.

Aggregate test sieve size

Particle Category	Nominal Particle Size Range	Standard Test Sieves	Usage
Coarse Aggregate	> 4.75 mm	100, 80, 63, 40, 31.5, 25, 20, 16, 10, 5 mm	Forms the skeleton of the mixture and provides the main mechanical strength.
Fine Aggregate	0.15 – 4.75 mm	2.36, 1.18, 0.6, 0.3, 0.15 mm	Fills the voids between coarse aggregates to increase mixture density.
Filler / Powder	< 0.15 mm	0.075 mm (sieve bottom)	Plays a key role in binding in asphalt mixtures; excessive amounts may affect overall performance.

Aggregate test sieve price

Depending on the level of automation and the size of the sieve assembly, the market price of a standard tapping sieve typically ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. The top-impact sieve, as a classic model, has a relatively simple structure and is more affordable, with a complete set generally costing between $1,500 and $2,500. As for the core consumables, the price of a standard metal-framed test sieve (usually 8 inches in diameter) is closely related to the mesh size and material. A single sieve made of ordinary stainless steel costs approximately $80 to $150, while a complete standard sieve assembly costs between $500 and $1,200.

Main specifications of Aggregate test sieve

serial number	name	Numerical value	unit
1	Can put sieve	1~8	layer
2	Screen diameter	φ200/φ100/φ75	mm
3	Sieve particle size	0.025~3	mm
4	noise	less than 50	dB
5	amplitude	0~3 (stepless adjustment)	mm
6	electromagnetic vibration frequency	3000	times/min
7	Motor vibration frequency	1400	times/min
8	Dimensions	435*350*720	length*width*height
9	power supply	220;50	V;HZ
10	Total Weight	55	KG

Aggregate test sieve solution

Aggregate test sieve solutions typically begin by selecting standard test sieves, such as multi-layer sieves with an upper diameter of 100mm and a lower diameter of 5mm. A representative aggregate sample is then placed on the top sieve and vibrated for a certain period using a vibrating sieve machine to separate the particles by size. Finally, the weight of each sieve layer is weighed.

For example, in a project conducting gradation testing on crushed stone, a sample size of 10kg is taken using sieves with sizes of 50mm, 25mm, 10mm, and 5mm. After vibrating for 5 minutes, the residues on each sieve are recorded as 1.2kg, 3.5kg, 4.0kg, and 1.0kg, respectively. By calculating the percentages and plotting the sieve analysis curve, it can be determined whether the aggregate meets the construction requirements.

What can Aggregate test sieve be used for

Aggregate test sieves play a key role in the entire aggregate industry chain. In the sand and gravel production process, enterprises use aggregate test screens to test the particle grading of freshly mined or processed aggregates, and judge whether the products meet the specifications based on the aggregate quality data retained at the screening level. For example, when producing machine-made sand, a test screen with an aperture of 0.075mm-4.75mm is used. If too much is retained in a certain particle size segment, the crusher and screening machine parameters can be adjusted in time to avoid poor grading leading to unsalable products.

At the concrete mixing station, technicians use aggregate test screens to conduct random inspections on the incoming sand and gravel to ensure that the aggregate grading is consistent with the concrete mix design. If the crushed stone is screened by a 2.36mm-37.5mm aperture sieve, and the particle size distribution deviates from the standard range, it will cause the concrete fluidity to deteriorate and the strength to be insufficient. Timely detection can avoid concrete quality defects caused by aggregate problems.

Before the construction of the road project, quality inspectors need to test the crushed stone used for base paving and use the test sieve to determine whether its gradation meets the density and strength requirements. In scientific research institutions, researchers use aggregate test sieves to carefully screen aggregates from different origins and processing technologies, analyze the relationship between particle gradation and material properties, and provide data support for the development of new aggregates or the optimization of existing production processes.