siiviläjaotus

Sieve analysis, known in Finnish as siiviläjaotus, is a method used to determine the particle size distribution of granular materials. It is a fundamental technique in various fields, including civil engineering, mining, geology, and manufacturing. The process involves passing a sample of the material through a series of sieves with progressively smaller mesh openings.

The sieves are stacked in order of decreasing mesh size, with the coarsest at the top and the finest at the bottom. The sample is placed on the top sieve and agitated, typically by shaking or rolling, for a specific period. This agitation allows the particles to fall through the sieve openings based on their size. Particles larger than the mesh opening are retained on the sieve, while smaller particles pass through to the next sieve below.

After agitation, each sieve is carefully separated, and the material retained on each sieve is weighed. This weight, when compared to the total initial weight of the sample, provides the percentage of material within a specific particle size range. By summing the retained weights cumulatively from the coarsest sieve downwards, a cumulative particle size distribution curve can be generated. This curve illustrates the proportion of particles smaller than any given size.

The results of a sieve analysis are crucial for understanding the properties and behavior of granular materials. For example, in construction, the particle size distribution of aggregate affects the strength, workability, and durability of concrete and asphalt. In soil mechanics, it helps classify soils and predict their drainage characteristics and stability. The data obtained from siiviläjaotus is essential for quality control, material selection, and process optimization.