Sieblinien

Sieblinien are the curves generated in sieve analysis that reflect the distribution of particle sizes within a granular material. In practice, a representative sample is dry-sieved through a nest of sieves with decreasing openings. The mass retained on each sieve is weighed, and the data are converted into percentages. Two common forms of Sieblinien appear on the resulting report: the cumulative line, which shows the percent finer than a given sieve opening, and the incremental line, which shows the percent retained on each individual sieve. When plotted on a graph with sieve size on the x-axis (often logarithmic) and percent finer or retained on the y-axis, these lines form the particle-size distribution curve of the sample.

Sieblinien are used to assess material quality and suitability for applications such as concrete aggregates, asphalt, soils, and minerals. They help determine grading, fineness modulus, and uniformity coefficients, and they influence performance properties like workability, strength, and permeability. Standards such as sieve analysis procedures guide sample preparation, testing, and reporting.

Limitations include moisture effects, particle shape, and blending; results depend on proper sample preparation and representative sampling. In geology and civil engineering, the distribution indicated by Sieblinien informs material selection, processing needs, and quality control throughout production and construction.