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 BRITISH STANDARD BS 812-103.1:
1985
Reprinted,
incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Testing aggregates —
Part 103: Methods for determination of
particle size distribution —
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, none, 16-Nov-00, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Section 103.1 Sieve tests

UDC [625.07 + 691.22]:620.168.36

BS 812-103.1:1985

Committees responsible for this

British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the Cement

Gypsum Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Committee (CAB/-) to
Technical Committee CAB/2, upon which the following bodies were
represented:

Aggregate Concrete Block Association

Association of Consulting Engineers
Association of Consulting Scientists
Association of Lightweight Aggregate Manufacturers

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Brick Development Association
British Aggregate Construction Materials Industries
British Ceramic Research Association
British Civil Engineering Test Equipment Manufacturers’ Association
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd.
British Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Calcium Silicate Brick Association Limited
Cement and Concrete Association
Cement Makers’ Federation
Chartered Institute of Building
Concrete Society
County Surveyor’s Society
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)
Department of the Environment (Property Services Agency)
Department of the Environment (Transport and Road Research Laboratory)
Department of Transport (Highways)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors
Greater London Council
Institute of Concrete Technology
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Highways and Transportation
Institution of Public Health Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists
Mortar Producers Association Ltd.
National Federation of Terrazzo (Mosaic Specialists)
Natural Environment Research Council (Institute of Geological Science)
Royal Institute of British Architects
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the Sand and Gravel Association Limited
direction of the Cement, Society of Chemical Industry
Gypsum, Aggregates and
Quarry Products Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Board of BSI and comes into Amendments issued since publication
effect on
30 August 1985
Amd. No. Date Comments
© BSI 12-1998
6003 June 1989 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference CAB/2
Draft for comment 84/10136 DC

ISBN 0 580 14474 7

 BS 812-103.1:1985

Contents

Page
Committees responsible Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Definitions 1
3 Principle 1
4 Sampling 1
5 Apparatus 1
6 Preparation of test portion 1
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7 Procedure 2
8 Calculation and expression of results 3
9 Precision 3
10 Test report 3
Table 1 — Particulars of sieves for sieve analysis 1
Table 2 — Minimum mass of test portion for sieve analysis 2
Table 3 — Maximum mass to be retained at the completion of sieving 4
Table 4 — Precision data for determination of particle size distribution 4
Figure 1 — Chart for recording sieve analysis results 5
Appendix A Preparation and cleaning of test sieves 6
Appendix B Checking of test sieves 6
Publications referred to Inside back cover

© BSI 12-1998 i
BS 812-103.1:1985

Foreword

This section of BS 812, prepared under the direction of the Cement, Gypsum,
Aggregates and Quarry Products Standards Committee, is a revision of 7.1
of BS 812-1:1975, which is withdrawn by amendment. The remaining sections
of BS 812-1 and BS 812-2, 3 and 4 are also being revised and as each of the tests,
or collection of related tests, is revised, it is intended to issue it as a separate Part
or Section of this standard.
It is intended that other British Standards should call up BS 812 test methods as
the basis of compliance. Nevertheless, it is not intended that all aggregates
should be subjected regularly to all the listed tests. Requirements in other British
Standard specifications will refer only to the relevant test methods.

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, none, 16-Nov-00, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

Some of the tests in other Parts of BS 812 are of limited application, and advice
on the use of simpler tests is given, for example, when they can be used for a
preliminary sorting of aggregates to see whether more expensive testing is
justified.
Removal of fine material by decantation, described as the modified method in
the BS 812-1, has been made the preferred method in this revision to ensure
reliable testing of aggregate containing fine material that may cause
agglomeration of particles.
In this revision the masses retained at the completion of sieving have been
rationalized.
Reference should be made to BS 812-101 for general guidance on testing
aggregates, precision of test methods and variance arising from sampling errors.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 12-1998
 BS 812-103.1:1985

1 Scope NOTE In general, two balances, one of

approximately 5 kg capacity accurate to 1 g and the other of
This Section of BS 812 describes two methods for approximately 500 g capacity accurate to 0.1 g, will suffice. If
the determination of the particle size distribution of aggregate of larger than 28 mm nominal size is to be tested a
balance of 50 kg capacity accurate to 10 g will also be required.
samples of aggregates and fillers by sieving.
5.4 Test sieves and nesting guard sieve, of the sizes
NOTE 1 For sampling and testing lightweight aggregates for
concrete see BS 3681. and apertures appropriate to the specification of the
NOTE 2 The titles of the publications referred to in this material being tested, complying with BS 410 and
standard are listed on the inside back cover. with the appropriate sizes of lid(s) and receivers.
NOTE 1 A set of sieves of the sizes and apertures given
2 Definitions in Table 1 will cover most applications of the method.
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For the purposes of this Section of BS 812 the NOTE 2 Some advice on cleaning and checking sieves is given
in appendices A and B.
definitions given in BS 812-101 and BS 812-102
apply. Table 1— Particulars of sieves for sieve
analysis
3 Principle Nominal aperture sizes

3.1 Washing and sieving Square hole perforated Wire cloth, 300 mm or
plate, 450 mm or 300 mm 200 mm diameter
This is the preferred method (see 7.2) for aggregates diameter
which may contain clay or other materials likely to mm mm
cause agglomeration of particles. It involves
preliminary separation by washing through a fine 75.0 3.35
sieve before determining particle size distribution 63.0 2.36
by dry sieving. 50.0 1.70
3.2 Dry sieving 37.5 1.18
This is an alternative method (see 7.3) which may be
28.0
used for coarse and fine aggregates free from
particles which cause agglomeration. 20.0 µm

NOTE 1 Dry sieving gives inaccurate results for aggregates 14.0 850
containing clay but is quicker and less laborious to carry out than
washing and sieving. 10.0 600
NOTE 2 It is not possible to specify accurately the amount of
clay or other materials which will make the method given in 7.3 6.30 425
inappropriate and unless it can be demonstrated (e.g. by previous 5.00 300
experience) that that method gives accurate results, it is
recommended that the method described in 7.2 should always be 212
used. Because of this some materials specifications may call for
washing and sieving to be followed at all times. 150

4 Sampling 75a
a For some applications, 63 µm is appropriate.
The sample used for the test (the laboratory sample)
shall be taken in accordance with the procedures
described in clause 5 of BS 812-102:1984. 5.5 A mechanical sieve shaker (optional).
5.6 Trays, that can be heated in the ventilated
5 Apparatus oven (5.2) without damage or change in mass.
5.1 A sample divider, of size appropriate to the 5.7 Containers, of a size sufficient to contain the test
maximum particle size to be handled or portion plus five times its volume of water (for
alternatively a flat shovel and a clean, flat, hard washing and sieving method only).
horizontal surface, e.g. a metal tray for use in
quartering. 6 Preparation of test portion
NOTE A suitable divider is the riffle box illustrated Reduce the sample in accordance with the
in BS 812-102. procedures described in clause 6 of BS 812-102:1984
5.2 A ventilated oven, thermostatically controlled to to produce the required number of test portions each
maintain a temperature of 105 ± 5 °C. of which complies with the minimum mass given
5.3 A balance, or balances, of suitable capacity in Table 2. Dry the test portions by heating at a
accurate to 0.1 % of the mass of the test portion. temperature of 105 ± 5 °C to achieve a dry mass
which is constant to within 0.1 %. Allow to cool,
weigh and record as M1.

© BSI 12-1998 1
BS 812-103.1:1985

Table 2 — Minimum mass of test portion for 7.2 Washing and sieving method
sieve analysis 7.2.1 Preliminary separation
Nominal size Minimum mass of
of material test portion 7.2.1.1 Wet both sides of a 75 µm test sieve (5.4),
reserved for use in this test only, and fit a nesting
mm kg
guard sieve (e.g. 1.18 mm) on top. Mount the sieves
63 50 in such a way that the suspension passing the test
50 35 sieve can be run to waste or, when required,
collected in a suitable vessel.
40 15
7.2.1.2 Place the weighed oven dried test portion in

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28 5 a container (5.7) and add sufficient water to half fill
20 2 the container. Agitate the contents so that particles
smaller than 75 µm are completely separated from
14 1
coarser particles.
10 0.5 NOTE Soaking or continued agitation or, in the case of large
6 0.2 particles, brushing may be required to achieve complete
separation.
5 0.2
7.2.1.3 Pour the suspension of fine solids on to the
3 0.2 guarded 75 µm test sieve.
<3 0.1 NOTE The suspension passing the test sieve may be run to
waste unless it is required for other purposes.

7 Procedure 7.2.1.4 Continue washing the coarse residue until

the water passing the test sieve is clear (see note 2)
7.1 General and then wash all the residues from the container
7.1.1 For some materials, e.g. all in aggregates or and sieve(s) into the tray (5.6). Remove excess free
hoggin, the particle size distribution may result in water by careful decantation through the test sieve,
excess mass on one or more sieves particularly on avoiding transfer of solids (see note 2) and dry the
the finer sizes. residue in the oven (5.2) at 105 ± 5 °C until constant
Therefore, if it is not possible to include extra sieves mass is achieved. Cool, weigh and record as M2.
of appropriate intermediate size to reduce the NOTE 1 Avoid excess water flows which may damage or flood
the sieves.
loading, adopt one of the following procedures.
NOTE 2 If some transfer of solids does occur wash them back
a) Subdivide the test portion into two or more into the tray and repeat the operation.
sub-portions. Determine the particle size NOTE 3 Fine sieves are fragile and the integrity of the mesh
distribution for each portion and combine the should be checked frequently (see appendix B).
results for the purpose of reporting. 7.2.1.5 Determine the mass of material passing the
b) Separate the test portion on an appropriate test sieve as M1 – M2.
sieve, e.g. 20 mm or 5 mm. Weigh the retained 7.2.2 Sieving the dried residue
and passing fractions to determine the proportion
7.2.2.1 Nest the clean and dry sieves on a fitting
of each present. Determine the particle size
receiver in order of increasing aperture size from
distribution of each fraction separately, reducing
bottom to top. Place the dried residue on the top
where necessary by quartering or by means of a
coarsest sieve and cover with a fitting lid. Either by
sample divider (5.1) as described in clause 6 of
hand or using the mechanical sieve shaker (5.5),
BS 812-102:1984. Calculate the particle size
shake the sieves for a sufficient time to separate the
distribution of the original sample by combining
test sample into the size fractions determined by the
the results for each fraction in the proportions
sieve apertures used.
present.
NOTE Experience has shown that the preliminary
7.1.2 When special procedures for fillers are separation (7.2.1) does not necessarily remove all the particles
required to measure the amount finer than 75 µm, smaller than 75 µm because of capillary action of water on
carry these out either in accordance with 7.2 of particle surfaces. It is therefore necessary to incorporate a 75 µm
test sieve in the series of test sieves used to sieve the dried
BS 812-1:1975 or BS 812-1041). residue.

1) At the time of publication, BS 812-104 is in preparation. When published, it will supersede 7.2 of BS 812-1:1975.

2 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 812-103.1:1985

7.2.2.2 When the mechanical sieve shaker is used, 8 Calculation and expression of results
after sieving, check that separation is complete by
Calculate the mass retained on each sieve as a
briefly hand sieving. When sieving is done by hand
percentage of the original dry mass (M1), For the
alone start with the coarsest sieve and shake each
mass of material passing the finest sieve, add that
sieve separately over a clean tray or receiver until
not more than a trace passes, but in any case for a passing during washing (M1 – M2) to that found
period of not less than 2 min. Do the shaking with a during the dry sieving.
varied motion, backwards and forwards, left to Calculate the mass passing each sieve as a
right, circular, clockwise and anti-clockwise, and cumulative percentage of the total sample mass.
with frequent jarring so that the material is kept
moving over the sieve surface in frequently 9 Precision
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changing directions. Do not force materials through Estimates of the repeatability and reproducibility of
the sieve by hand pressure but placing of particles is sieve analysis using the methods described in
permitted. Break lumps of agglomerated material this Section of BS 812 are given in Table 4 for a
which consist of particles representative of the bulk limited range of materials.
by gentle pressure with the fingers against the side NOTE 1 Reference should be made to BS 812-101 for guidance
of the sieve. on assessing the precision of the methods given in this standard.
NOTE 2 There is insufficient data available to permit the
7.2.2.3 Record any extraneous material not inclusion of values for Vs (variance arising from sampling errors)
representative of the bulk that will not readily in Table 4. When data is available it will be incorporated by
break down into individual particles, such as clay amendment. Some values of Vs for a single experiment are given
lumps, and remove from the sieve for separate in Supplementary Report 831 published by the Transport and
Road Research Laboratory.
weighing.
7.2.2.4 Do not apply pressure to the surface of the 10 Test report
sieve to force particles through the mesh. Light The report shall affirm that the particle size
brushing with a soft brush on the underside of the distribution was determined in accordance with this
sieve may be used to clear sieve openings. Light
Section of BS 812 and whether or not a certificate of
brushing with a fine camel-hair brush may be used
sampling is available. If available, a copy of the
on the 150 µm and 75 µm sieves to prevent
certificate of sampling shall be provided. The test
agglomeration of the powder and blinding of the
report shall include the following additional
apertures. Do not use stiff or worn-down brushes for information:
this purpose.
a) sample identification;
7.2.2.5 In order to prevent blinding of the sieve
b) either the cumulative percentage of the mass of
apertures by overloading, ensure that the mass of
the total sample passing each of the sieves, to the
aggregate retained on the sieve at completion of the
nearest whole number; or the percentage of the
operation does not exceed the value for that sieve
mass of the total sample passing one sieve and
shown in Table 3.
retained on the next smaller sieve, to the nearest
NOTE 1 Some sample masses shown in Table 1 will thus whole number;
require additional operations on some sieves, as described in 7.1.
NOTE 2 In some cases it may be possible to reduce sufficiently NOTE A specimen chart which may be used for illustrating
the load on a sieve by incorporating an intermediate sieve into the results graphically is shown in Figure 3.
the test series. c) the method used by reference to either 7.2
7.2.2.6 Weigh the material retained on each sieve, or 7.3 of this Section of BS 812;
together with any material cleaned from the mesh, d) whether or not lumps of material not
on completion of sieving on that sieve. representative of the bulk, such as clay lumps,
NOTE Samples containing dust should be sieved into a receiver were found to be present and the sieve sizes on
to prevent loss. which they were retained, together with the total
7.2.2.7 Add the aggregate passing the sieve to the amount present expressed as an overall
next sieve in the series before commencing the percentage by mass of the total sample.
operation on that sieve.
7.3 Dry sieving method
Use the procedure described in 7.2.2.

© BSI 12-1998 3
BS 812-103.1:1985

Table 3 — Maximum mass to be retained at the completion of sieving

BS test sieve Maximum mass BS test sieve nominal aperture size Maximum mass
nominal
450 mm 300 mm 300 mm 200 mm
aperture size
diameter diameter diameter diameter
sieves sieves sieves sieves
mm kg kg mm µm g g
50.0 14 5 5.00 750 350
37.5 10 4 3.35 550 250
2.36 45O 200

Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, none, 16-Nov-00, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI

28.0 8 3 1.70 375 150
20.0 6 2.5 1.18 300 125
14.0 4 2
10.0 3 1.5 850 260 115
600 225 100
425 180 80
6.30 2 1 300 150 65
5.00 1.5 0.75 212 130 60
3.35 1 0.55 150 110 50
75 75 30

Table 4 — Precision data for determination of particle size distribution

Description of All values as cumulative percentage passing stated sieve Details of precision experiment
material used
Number of
Sieve size Mean r r1 R R1 R2 Participating Outliers Date
value laboratories
Chippings (1) 75 µm 0.38 — 0.2 — 0.35 — 17 — 1982
(2) 75 µm 0.81 — 0.2 — 0.35 — 17 1 1982
Type 2 granular 20 mm 90 — 5 5 6 9
sub-base 10 mm 75 — 7 6 9 12
5 mm 65 — 6 3 9 11
9 — 1983
600 µm 35 — 4 3 5 7
150 µm 15 — 2 — 3 4
75 µm 10 — 1 2 2 3
20 mm crushed rock 600 µm 6.6 — 1.6 — 1.6 —
150 µm 3.6 — 0.3 — 1.0 —
8 — 1983
75 µm 2.6 — 0.5 — 1.1 —
14 mm single sized 14 mm 90 — 4.3 — 5.6 —
basalt or sandstone 10 mm 25 — 5.2 — 8.5 —
8 — 1982
2.36 mm 1.0 — 0.2 — 1.1 —
75 µm 0.75 — 0.2 — 1.0 —
Building sands 600 µm 90 — 0.8 — 1.4 —
(means of 11 300 µm 57 — 1.8 — 4.8 —
different sands) 11 — 1981
150 µm 19 — 1.8 — 6.6 —
75 µm 5.5 — 0.8 — 1.5 —

4 © BSI 12-1998
Licensed Copy: Giorgio Cavalieri, none, 16-Nov-00, Uncontrolled Copy. © BSI BS 812-103.1:1985

Figure 1 — Chart for recording sieve analysis results

© BSI 12-1998 5
BS 812-103.1:1985

Appendix A Preparation and cleaning Appendix B Checking of test sieves

of test sieves Test sieves may be checked against certified master
Before and after each use the sieving medium and sieves, reserved for that purpose, at regular
the frame should be cleaned and inspected and intervals. This can be achieved by checking the
degreased if necessary. The cleaning of the sieve number of sieves used during that month. Checking
should be carried out with great care so that the should be in accordance with E.3 of BS 410:1976
sieving medium is not damaged. using spherical particles, such as glass beads. The
charge on the sieve should be the maximum allowed
A useful method for the removal of entrapped
by BS 1796 and the checking material used for each
material, particularly from finer apertures, is
sieve should be chosen so that between 40 %

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immersion in a bath of water agitated by an
and 60 % passes the sieve.
ultrasonic transducer.
The difference between the percentage material
passing the master sieve and the working sieve
should not exceed 2 %.

6 © BSI 12-1998
 BS 812-103.1:1985

Publications referred to

BS 410, Specification for test sieves.

BS 812, Testing aggregates.
BS 812-101, Guide to sampling and testing aggregates.
BS 812-102, Methods for sampling.
BS 812-104, Method for determination of the nature and content of material finer than 75 µm2).
BS 1796, Method for test sieving.
BS 3681, Methods for the sampling and testing of lightweight aggregates for concrete.
Transport and Road Research Laboratory Supplementary report 831.
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2) In preparation.

© BSI 12-1998
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