Sieve Analysis

An analytical method called a sieve analysis is used to figure out how granular materials having macroscopic granular sizes are distributed in terms of particle size. Many layers of sieves with various grades of sieve opening sizes are used in the sieve analysis procedure.

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Overview
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Test Process
Specifications
Instrumentation
Results and Deliverables

Overview

Sieve analysis testing is the standardized method for determining the particle size distribution of granular materials by passing a representative specimen through a series of progressively finer mesh sieves and measuring the mass fraction retained on each sieve — quantifying the gradation and particle size range of aggregates, soils, powders, and granular materials to characterize their size distribution profile. Sieve analysis testing is conducted per ASTM C136, ASTM D6913, and ASTM E11, depending on material type and application — defining the sieve selection, specimen preparation, shaking procedure, and gradation calculation methods required to accurately characterize particle size distribution for material qualification, process control, and specification compliance programs.

Scope, Applications, and Benefits

Scope

Sieve analysis measures particle size distribution by placing a dried and weighed specimen onto a stacked series of calibrated wire mesh sieves arranged from coarsest to finest and mechanically shaking the stack for a defined period, recording the mass retained on each sieve and calculating the cumulative percent passing and percent retained at each sieve size to define the material gradation curve.

Sieve analysis testing evaluates:

Particle size distribution and gradation curves for aggregates, soils, sands, and granular materials
Percent passing, percent retained, and cumulative gradation data across defined sieve size series
Conformance of aggregate and granular material gradations against specification grading envelope requirements
Fineness modulus and effective particle size characterization for concrete, asphalt, and geotechnical applications
Comparative particle size distribution across material sources, production lots, and processing conditions

Applications

Coarse and fine aggregates for concrete and asphalt mix design requiring gradation verification per ASTM C136
Soils and granular fill materials requiring particle size distribution analysis per ASTM D6913 for geotechnical characterization
Industrial powders, granules, and bulk materials requiring particle size classification per ASTM E11 sieve standards
Quarry and mine products requiring gradation compliance verification against material specification requirements
Raw material qualification and production quality control programs requiring traceable particle size distribution data

Benefits

Provides reliable particle size distribution and gradation data for material qualification and specification compliance
Supports aggregate, soil, and granular material acceptance programs and supplier qualification
Identifies off-specification gradations in aggregates and granular materials before mix design and construction use
Delivers traceable sieve analysis records for engineering submissions and quality management systems
Reduces mix design variability and performance risk by confirming aggregate gradation before production

Test Process

Specimen Preparation

Material sample reduced to test specimen mass, dried to constant weight, and recorded per applicable standard requirements.

Sieve Stack Assembly & Shaking

Specimen placed on calibrated sieve stack and mechanically shaken for the specified duration per test method procedure.

Mass Retained Measurement

Mass retained on each sieve and pan recorded after shaking and verified against initial specimen mass for completeness.

Data Analysis & Reporting

Percent retained, cumulative percent passing, and gradation curve calculated and assessed against specification grading requirements.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Applicable Materials	Coarse and fine aggregates, soils, sands, gravels, industrial powders, granules, and bulk granular materials
Applicable Standards	ASTM C136 (aggregates), ASTM D6913 (soils), ASTM E11 (wire cloth sieves and testing), and ISO 3310
Sieve Size Range	75 mm (3 in.) down to 75 µm (No. 200) standard sieve series per ASTM E11 wire cloth specifications
Specimen Mass	Material-specific minimum specimen mass per applicable standard based on maximum particle size present
Measured Outputs	Mass retained per sieve, percent retained, cumulative percent passing, gradation curve, and fineness modulus

Instrumentation Used for Testing

Calibrated wire mesh test sieves conforming to ASTM E11 or ISO 3310 wire cloth and frame requirements
Mechanical sieve shaker providing a defined shaking motion and amplitude for reproducible particle separation
Analytical balance with resolution appropriate to specimen mass per applicable standard weighing requirements
Drying oven maintained at 110 ± 5°C for specimen drying to constant mass before sieve analysis
Sieve cleaning equipment for wire cloth maintenance and inter-test contamination prevention
Data recording and gradation curve plotting system for particle size distribution reporting and compliance assessment

Results and Deliverables

Mass retained and percent retained values for each sieve size across the full test sieve series
Cumulative percent passing data and plotted gradation curve for all tested specimens.
Fineness modulus calculation for fine aggregate specimens, as required by the applicable specification
Specification compliance assessment against the grading envelope percent passing limits per applicable material standard.
Sieve analysis test report per ASTM C136, ASTM D6913, or ASTM E11

Why Choose Infinita Lab for sieve analysis?

Infinita Lab is a trusted USA-based testing laboratory offering sieve analysis testing services across an extensive network of accredited facilities across the USA. Infinita Lab is built to serve the full spectrum of modern testing needs—across industries, materials, and methodologies. Our advanced equipment and expert professionals deliver highly accurate and prompt test results, helping businesses achieve quality compliance and product reliability.

Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you. Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Sieve analysis is the standardized method for determining particle size distribution of granular materials — passing specimens through a calibrated wire mesh sieve series and calculating percent retained and cumulative percent passing at each sieve size.

Sieve analysis evaluates coarse and fine aggregates, soils, sands, gravels, crushed stone, industrial powders, and granular bulk materials requiring particle size distribution and gradation characterization per applicable standards.

ASTM C136 applies to concrete and asphalt aggregates; ASTM D6913 applies to soils and geotechnical materials; ASTM E11 defines wire cloth sieve specifications used across all sieve analysis methods.

Fineness modulus is the sum of cumulative percent retained on specified sieve sizes divided by 100 — providing a single index value characterizing the relative coarseness or fineness of fine aggregate gradations.

Drying removes moisture that causes fine particles to clump and adhere to coarser particles — ensuring accurate mass measurement and complete particle separation through the sieve stack during mechanical shaking.

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