What is the minimum sieve set required when completing a wash test procedure?

The minimum sieve set required when completing a wash test procedure must include the #200 sieve and a protected sieve from #8 through #16 to ensure accurate measurement and separation of fines.

The #200 sieve is essential because it facilitates the retention of fine material during the wash test, allowing for the determination of the amount of material passing this sieve, which is critical when assessing aggregate cleanliness and the potential for deleterious materials to affect the mix properties.

In conjunction with the #200 sieve, using a protected sieve from #8 through #16 allows for the evaluation of aggregates that are retained in the higher size ranges, essential for understanding the distribution of the material. This combination ensures that the finer fractions and any potentially harmful contaminants are identified without losing relevant coarser material that may impact the overall mix.

Other choices fail because they do not meet the requirement to capture both fine and medium-coarse aggregate particles effectively, which are crucial for a thorough wash test analysis.