Quick and Easy Sieve Analysis

Construction aggregates are a wide range of coarse particulate materials used in civil engineering applications including sand, gravel, crushed stone and recycled concrete. Aggregates are typically added to composite materials such as concrete and asphalt for added strength and are widely used in drainage applications and in the foundations for buildings and roads.

ASTM C 136 precisely describes the sieve analysis test method for determining the grading of aggregate material. The determined particle size distribution defines the use of the aggregate according to application specific requirements and provides data for the quality control of the production of both the aggregate and the product containing the aggregate.

A nested column of sieves with decreasing mesh size is used for the test. Each sieve must first be weighed empty. The sample can then be added to the upper sieve and the weight noted. After shaking in a sieve shaker, each sieve is individually reweighed. The amount of sample remaining in each sieve allows the fractional weights to be calculated which are then used to determine the overall particle size distribution.

Great care must be taken to ensure all weights are logged correctly against the corresponding sieve. There is a high possibility of incorrect result recording or making a mistake in the distribution calculation. Research also indicates that typical transcription errors may be between 4% and 10%.

METTLER TOLEDO’s new One Click™ Sieve Analysis is a complete solution for determining particle size distribution consisting of LabX software and an appropriate balance.

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Three critical control points are addressed:

• Handling the sieves is easy. Using automatic weight detection, the sieves can be weighed consecutively without any button needing to be pressed. Clear instructions are given on the balance touchscreen in order to ensure the sieves are placed in the correct order.
• No manual transcription is required. One Click™ Sieve Analysis automatically records the sieve weights, the sample weight and the fractional sample weights. The lab technician only needs to enter the sample ID into the balance.
• All calculations are performed automatically. One Click™ Sieve Analysis automatically determines the distribution percentage and displays the results on the balance with the mean particle size (d50) and results can be printed at any time in a customized report to meet documentation requirements.
  

The whole process is fast, easy and error-free. The method is easily customized, e.g. to provide the effective size (d10) or the uniformity coefficient (d60/d10). With results calculated automatically as part of the procedure, lab technicians can quickly classify the aggregate for use. Easily integrated with LIMS or other internal systems, results can be archived for quality control measures. One Click™ Sieve Analysis really does offer a comprehensive solution.

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