# Sieve

A sieve is a mechanical device used to separate samples of different sizes.

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- Last updated: 2019-09-06
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

A sieve is a mechanical device used to separate samples of different sizes.

Sieve sizes typically used for [Superpave](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/mix-design/superpave-gradation-requirements/) [mix design](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/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 1).

Video 1: Assembling the sieve nest. — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOIVP5qGfLk

The sample is poured into the top sieve in the nest (Figure 1).

![Pouring the aggregate sample into the sieve stack](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Pouring_sample.jpg)

*Figure 1.* Pouring the aggregate sample into the sieve stack.

After the sample is loaded, the material is sieved in a mechanical sieve shaker (Figure 2 and Video 2).

![Sieve shaker](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Shaker.jpg)

*Figure 2.* Sieve shaker.

Video 2: Shaking an aggregate sample. — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4HIqizecxU