EXPERIMENT NO.

Reducing Aggregates Field Samples to Test Samples

Referenced Standard

ASTM C702-87

AASHTO T248-89

Introduction

Investigation of a large quantity of aggregates may sometimes become

impractical, thus, only a representative sample is obtained for specific tests. This
sample when obtained and prepared properly is expected to possess the average
characteristics of the entire quantity of field sample.

Sampling methods introduced in this experiment can be used to reduce a

large mass of field sample into representative sample for succeeding aggregate
tests. The Splitting Method is recommended for samples smaller than 45mm (1
¾”). Sampler splitter with 25mm openings are for aggregates having a maximum
size of 19mm (3/4”) and the sampler splitter with 50mm (2”) opening are for
aggregates up to 45mm (1 ¾”). The Quartering Method is used for coarse
aggregates larger than 45mm (1 ¾”).

Objectives:

1. To be able to learn how to obtain and prepare test samples from field
samples.

2. To understand the significance of aggregate sampling in civil engineering

projects.

Apparatus/Materials:

Spade Containers Sieves (25mm, 45mm, 50mm)

Sample Splitter Trowel or Scoop Aggregates Field Samples

Procedure:

1. Take a representative sample of aggregates from the field. Refer to Table

1 for the minimum requirements for field samples. The sample must be
dry and free from roots and debris. Wash the field sample as needed then
dry allow to thoroughly dry before reducing them to test size.

2. Mix the clean and dry field samples thoroughly until it appears to be
homogenous.

3. Use the following methods (Splitting and Quartering) for reducing the
field samples to testing size:

A. Splitting Method

1. Place the two catch pans under the splitter.

2. Part by part pours the sample into the splitter uniformly allowing the
aggregates to pass through the splitter opening to the catch pans.

3. When full, empty the catch pans unto a container. Two separate
containers must be used to store the two fractions of aggregates that
passed the splitter.

4. Complete the pouring of the entire quantity of field sample into the
splitter. Use a brush to collect the samples from the splitter. Refer to
Table 2 for the minimum requirements for test samples.

5. Label the containers with which the test samples are placed.

B. Quartering Method

1. Place the field sample on a clear, smooth and hard surface.

2. Mix the samples thoroughly until it appears homogenous then form it

into a mound.

3. Flatten the mound by pressing it down carefully at its apex by a shovel

until a uniform thickness and diameter are obtained.
4. Using the shovel, divide the flattened mass into quarter. Include the
fine particles in the surface.

5. Collect in one container the aggregates in two diagonally opposite

quarters and in another container the two other quarters. Take note of
the minimum requirements shown in Table 2. Label containers with
samples appropriately for further tests.

Table 1

Recommended Size/ Quantity of Field Samples

Nominal Maximum Size of Approximate Minimum Mass of

Aggregates Field Sample

Fine Aggregates

3.36mm (#8) 10 kg (25 Lbs)

4.75mm (#4) 10 kg (25 Lbs)

Coarse Aggregates

9.5 (3/8”) 10 kg (25Lbs)

12.5 (1/2”) 15 kg (35 Lbs)

19.0 (3/4”) 25 kg (55 Lbs)

25.0 (1”) 50 kg (110 Lbs)

1 75 kg (165 Lbs)
37.5 (1 ”)
2

50 (2”) 100 kg (220 Lbs)

1 125 kg (275 Lbs)
63 (2 ”)
2

75 (3”) 150 kg (330 Lbs)

1 175 kg (385 Lbs)
90 (3 ”)
2

Source: Marotta & Herubin (1997)

TABLE 2

Minimum Requirements for Test Samples

 Nominal Maximum Sized of Minimum Mass of Test Samples

Aggregates

9.5 (3/8”) 1 kg

12.5 (1/2”) 2 kg

19.0 (3/4”) 5 kg

25.0 (1”) 10 kg
1 15 kg
37.5 (1 ”)
2

50 (2”) 20 kg
1 35 kg
63 (2 ”)
2

75 (3”) 60 kg
1 100 kg
90 (3 ”)
2

Source: Marotta & Herubin (1997)

Drawing:
Observations:

Since we got our aggregates from different quarry, our

aggregate shows different properties. We notice that our aggregates differ from
the aggregates that other group have. It differs in gradation color and moisture
from or comparison to other group’s aggregates.

Discussion of Results:

In this experiment, the field samples were divided through quartering

method and splitting method in order to obtain a uniform sample from the river
mix. The samples were just estimated because it wasn’t weighed before dividing
it but instead it was weighed after. Using the quartering method, half of the river
mix was mixed using shovel then divided into four while the other half were
divided using he splitter.

Conclusion:

We conclude that after the samples are collected from a certain source.
It’s time to prepare the specimen for splitting/quartering procedure. Aggregates
and other materials sampled in the field need to be reduced to appropriate sized
for lab testing while minimizing the introduction of variability during handling.
The sample reduction is a first step in preparing properly size specimens for
tests like sieve analysis, soundness, hardness and other physical characteristics.

Post-lab Exercises:
1. Explain the differences between: a) natural and manufactured aggregates,
b) fine and coarse aggregates.

- a) Natural aggregates are extracted from larger rocks formations

through a quarry, while manufactured aggregates is often the
byproduct of other manufacturing industries such as slag.

- b) Fine aggregates consist of natural sand or crushed stone with most

particles passing through a 3/8 in. sieve while coarse aggregates
refers to the materials with 0.19 in. above particle size.

2. Weigh each of the test samples from the catch pans. Do their weights
differ? By what percentage?

- By researching, mechanical splitter “splits” the sample in halves where

the material passes through the spaces between the bars in the
splitter. The same number of each particle size will go into each of the
half of the sample, thus keeping the reduced sample as representative
of the total collected sample.

3. Weigh the samples obtained by the quartering method. Does each of the
two fractions represent 50% of the total mass of the field sample? Why or
why not? Explain briefly.

- No, during our experiment we noticed some difference between the

mass field samples. To start, our aggregate at 1 & 4 weighs 20.455 kg
as to the 2 & 3 weighs 19.5 kg. But this result does not define
quartering method as a failure but rather proves that in careful
performance of the process the two fractions of sample may represent
the total mass of field sample.
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