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What Is Fineness Modulus and How To Calculate It

The fineness modulus is a measure used to quantify the coarseness or fineness of aggregate particles in concrete. It is calculated by adding the cumulative percentages retained on each sieve size and dividing by 100. A lower fineness modulus indicates finer sand while a higher value signifies coarser sand. The recommended range is 2.3 to 3.1, with specific ranges for fine, medium, and coarse sands. To determine the fineness modulus, the aggregate is sieved through various sieve sizes and the weight retained on each is recorded to calculate cumulative percentages retained.

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946 views3 pages

What Is Fineness Modulus and How To Calculate It

The fineness modulus is a measure used to quantify the coarseness or fineness of aggregate particles in concrete. It is calculated by adding the cumulative percentages retained on each sieve size and dividing by 100. A lower fineness modulus indicates finer sand while a higher value signifies coarser sand. The recommended range is 2.3 to 3.1, with specific ranges for fine, medium, and coarse sands. To determine the fineness modulus, the aggregate is sieved through various sieve sizes and the weight retained on each is recorded to calculate cumulative percentages retained.

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Tahmidur Rahman
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is Fineness Modulus and how to calculate it

Method of using Fineness Modulus was first proposed by Mr. Duff Abram, an
early pioneer in concrete technology.
Definition of Fineness Modulus :

The fineness modulus is define in ACI terminology as A factor obtained by


adding the total percentages of material in the sample that are coarser than
each of the following sieves (cumulative percentages retained), and dividing
the sum by 100: 0.15 mm (No. 100),0.30 mm (No. 50), 0.60 mm (No. 30),
1.18 mm (No. 16),2.36 mm (No. 8), 4.75 mm (No. 4), 9.5 mm (3/8in.), 19.0
mm (3/4 in.), 37.5 mm (1-1/2in.), 75 mm (3 in.), 150 mm (6 in.).

Fineness modulus gives the idea about how course or fine the sand is. Lower
FM indicates fine sand and higher FM indicates courser sand.Fine sand
requires more cement paste due to high surface area and tendency to
develop crack. On the other hand course sand produces a concrete mixture
that is harsh and difficult to finish and will cause segregation.Therefore
recommended FM range is 2.3 to 3.1.
Following table shows fineness modulus for different types of sand

Type of Sand Fineness Modulus Range

Fine Sand 2.2 2.6

Medium Sand 2.6 2.9

Coarse Sand 2.9 3.2

How to calculate Fineness Modulus


Procure to determine Fineness Modulus

1. Sieve the aggregate using the appropriate sieves (80 mm, 40 mm, 20
mm, 10 mm, 4.75 mm, 2.36 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 micron, 300 micron &
150 micron)
2. Note down the weight of aggregate retained on each sieve.
3. Calculate the cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each sieve.
4. Find out the cumulative percentage of aggregate retained on each
sieve.
5. Sum the cumulative weight of aggregate retained and divide the sum
by 100.
FM = Cumulative % retain on each Sieve / 100
Calculation sheet to calculate Fineness Modulus

Sieve of Weight of sand Cumulative weight Cumulative


Size (in Retained (g) of sand retained percentage of
mm) (g) sand retained (%)

80 mm
40 mm

20 mm

10 mm 0 0

4.75 mm 10 10 2

2.36 mm 50 60 12

1.18 mm 70 130 26

600 micron 90 220 44

300 micron 160 380 76

150 micron 80 460 92

Pan 40 500

Total 500 1760 252

Fineness Modulus = 252/100 = 2.52

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