Sieve
A sieve is a mechanical device used to separate samples of different sizes.
Sieve sizes typically used for Superpave mix design are 1½ in, 1.0 in, ¾ in, ½ in, 3/8 in, No. 4, No. 8, No. 16, No. 30, No. 50, No. 100 and No. 200 (37.5, 25.0, 19.0, 12.5, 9.5, 4.75, 2.36, 1.18, 0.600, 0.300, 0.150 and 0.075 mm) sieves. Assemble the sieves in order of decreasing size of opening from top to bottom and place the nest of sieves over a pan (Video 13).
Video 13: Assembling the sieve nest.
The sample is poured into the top sieve in the nest (Figure 77).
Figure 77: Pouring the aggregate sample into the sieve stack.
After the sample is loaded, the material is sieved in a mechanical sieve shaker (Figure 78 and Video 14).
Figure 78: Sieve shaker.
Video 14: Shaking an aggregate sample.