MODULE OF FINENESS

The fineness modulus, also called grain size modulus by some authors,
it is not a grain size index, since an infinite number of sievings gives the
same value for the fineness module.
However, it gives an idea of the thickness or fineness of the aggregate, for this reason it...
prefer to use the term Modulus of Fineness.
The fineness modulus is calculated by summing the accumulated retained percentages in
the standard sieves (named below) and dividing the sum by 100.
Significant changes in the grain size of the sand have an impact
important in the demand for water and, consequently, in the workability of
concrete, so if there were a significant variation in the grain size of
The sand adjustments must be made in the content of cement and water to preserve
the resistance of concrete. To avoid having to recalculate the dosage of
concrete the fineness module of the fine aggregate, between successive shipments, should not
vary by more than ±0.2.
The specified sieves that must be used in the determination of the modulus of
refinement are:

No. 100, No. 50, No. 30, No. 16, No. 8, No. 4, ⅜”, ¾”, 1½”, 3” and 6”

FINE AGGREGATE:
Fineness Module: The grain size analysis of the sand is complemented
Calculating its fineness modulus, which is equal to one hundredth of the sum of
The accumulated retention percentages in each of the meshes of the series
Standard. It is usually considered that sand has a fineness modulus not
Suitable for concrete manufacturing, as it does not even enter the
Lower range established (tolerable fineness modulus) in table 4 that ranges from
2.70 to 3.50.
Sands with a fineness modulus less than 2.70 are usually considered
Too thin and they are harmful for this application, because they usually require
Increased consumption of cement paste, which adversely affects the
Volumetric changes and in the cost of concrete. At the opposite extreme, the sands.
With a fineness modulus greater than 3.50, they turn out to be too coarse and they are also

They are deemed inadequate because they tend to produce rough concrete mixes.
Segregable and prone to bleeding.
The sand tested in the laboratory has a fineness modulus of 2.34, which indicates
What is sand that is too fine, if this sand were used for manufacturing
Concrete would produce a suspension while mixing.
This one or it would simply float.
On the other hand, it can be observed that the particle size distribution graph of the aggregates

Fine exceeds the upper limit of the curve established in the NTC174 standard, by
Lo tanto is a material not recommended for mix design; but through
A process of improvement can be optimized for its use.
COARSE AGGREGATE:
Unlike fine aggregate, coarse aggregate does meet the
Specifications established in the Colombian technical standard NTC174, what
It says that it is a good additive for concrete production. In graph 2
It can be observed that the particle size distribution curve of this aggregate does indeed

Falls between the two limits, now it only remains to conduct the index tests.
Elongation and flattening to conclude that this aggregate meets 100%
The conditions for providing excellent concrete durability.
The nominal maximum size tells us which limits should be chosen for.
Prepare the graph and determine if it meets the standards, as this allows us to know

ESSAY TO OBTAIN THE FINENESS MODULUS OF THE AGGREGATES.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT

Scale. A scale or balance with precision within 0.1% of the load.

of testing at any point within the range of use, graduated to a minimum of
0.05 kg. The range of use of the scale is the difference between the masses of the mold.
full and empty.
 Sieve Series. They are a series of enamelled cups through the
What is done to pass a sample of aggregate that is fine or coarse, its order
it is from largest to smallest.

In order, the following sieves will be used: 1½" sieve, 1" sieve, ¾" sieve, ½" sieve, 2" sieve.
# 4 Coarse Aggregate Base; sieve # 4, # 8, # 16, # 30, # 50, #
100 # 200 y backgroundfor the Added Fine.

THEORETICAL BASE

The grain size of an aggregate base is defined as the distribution of

size of their particles. This grain size is determined by passing a
representative sample of aggregates through a series of ordered sieves, by
opening, from greatest to least.
Sieves are basically meshes with square openings that...
are standardized by the Colombian Technical Standard # 32.
The designation in English units (ASTM sieves) was based on size
from the opening in inches for large sizes and the number of openings
per linear inch for large sizes and the number of openings per
linear inch for sieves smaller than 2 inches.
The series of sieves used for coarse aggregate are 3", 2", 1½", 1", ¾", ½", "?
# 4 and for fine aggregate are # 4, # 8, # 16, # 30, # 50, # 100, # 200.
The series of sieves used for classifying aggregates for concrete has been
established in such a way that the opening of any sieve is approximately
half of the opening of the immediately upper sieve, that is, that comply with the
relationship 1 to 2.

The sieving operation must be carried out in accordance with the Technical Standard
Colombian # 77 on a quantity of dry material. The handling of the sieves
It can be carried out by hand or by using the appropriate machine.
Hand sieving is done in such a way that the material is kept in
circular movement with one hand while hitting with the other, but in none
If necessary, the passage of a particle through the sieve should be induced by hand;
Recommending that the results of the screening analysis be presented in a form
tabular.

Following the respective recommendation, column 1 indicates the series of

sieves used in descending order. After sieving the sample as it
The Colombian Technical Standard #77 stipulates that the material retained in each
cleaned, weighed, and each value is placed in column 2. Each of these weights
Retained is expressed as a percentage (retained) of the total weight of the sample.
Formula. % Retained = Weight of material retained on sieve * 100
Total weight of the sample
This retention percentage is placed in column 3.
In column 4, the accumulated withheld percentages are being placed.
In column 5, the cumulative percentage is recorded, which will be
simply the difference between 100 and the accumulated withheld percentage.
Formula % PASS = 100 - % Accumulated Retained
The results of a granulometric analysis can also be represented in
graphical form and in that case they are called granulometric curves.
These graphs are represented by two perpendicular axes.
horizontal and vertical, where the ordinates represent the percentage that

Pass and on the horizontal axis the opening of the sieve whose scale may be
arithmetic, logarithmic or in some cases mixed.
Grain size curves allow for a better visualization of size distribution.
inside a mass of aggregates and also allows to know how thick or
it is fine.
Consequently, there are factors that arise from a granulometric analysis such as
son

FOR FINE AGGREGATE

[Link] Module (FM)

The fineness module is a parameter obtained from the sum of the percentages.
accumulated residues from the specified sieve series that comply with the
relationship 1:2 from sieve #100 onwards up to the maximum size present and
divided by 100, for this calculation the 1" and ½" sieves are not included.
MF = % Retained Accumulated
100
It is considered that the MF of suitable sand for producing concrete must be
between 2, 3, and 3.1 or, where a value less than 2.0 indicates fine sand 2.5 a
medium fine sand and more than 3.0 a coarse sand.

FOR COARSE AGGREGATE.

a. Maximum size ( TM)

It is defined as the opening of the smallest sieve through which 100% of the
sample.
b. Maximum Nominal Size (MNS)
The maximum nominal size is another parameter that is derived from
granulometric analysis and is defined as the following sieve that it
continues in a greater opening than that whose accumulated retained percentage is
of 5% or more. Most of the particle size specifications are given
depending on the maximum nominal size and is commonly stipulated as such
so that the aggregate meets the following requirements.
 The TMN should not be greater than 1/5 of the smaller dimension of the structure.
understood between the sides of a formwork.
The TMN must not be greater than 1/3 of the thickness of a slab.
The TMN must not be greater than 3/45 of the maximum free spacing between
the reinforcement bars.
a. Granulometry Continue.

It can be observed after a granulometric analysis, if the mass of

grouped contains all grain sizes, from the largest to the smallest
smaller, if this happens there is a continuous granulometric curve.

b. Discontinuous Granulometry

In contrast to the above, there is a discontinuous granulometry when there is

certain intermediate grain sizes that are missing or have been reduced to
artificially eliminated.

PROCEDURE

A sample is selected that is as representative as possible and then allowed to dry.

outdoors for 8 days.
During these 8 days, the sand is raked to achieve faster drying.
Once the sample is dried, 500 grams of each fine aggregate and 10,000 are weighed.
grams of coarse aggregate.
After the previous sample is passed through a series of sieves or meshes.
depending on the type of aggregate. In the case of coarse aggregate, it goes through
the following sieves in descending order (1½", 1", ¾", ½”, 2”, # 4 and Bottom)
The amount of sample retained on each of the sieves is quantified in the
balance obtaining in this way the retained weight.

The same is done with the fine aggregate, but it goes through the following series of
sieves (# 4, # 8, # 25, # 30, # 50, # 100, # 200, and bottom).
Calculation of the Fineness Modulus (FM):