What is being measured when a pan is weighed after each shaker test?

When a pan is weighed after each shaker test, it specifically measures the material lost from the sieve. This process is part of the aggregate testing protocol, where the shaker is used to separate finer particles from coarser ones. By weighing the pan after the shakedown process, one can determine the mass of the fine particles that have passed through the sieve and collected in the pan. This measurement is essential for calculating the aggregate's gradation and helps ensure that the material meets specified standards and requirements for construction and engineering applications.

The procedure reflects the effectiveness of the sieve in retaining larger particles while allowing smaller ones to fall through, providing valuable data regarding the particle size distribution of the aggregate being tested.