TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPINES

938 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City

CE 405 (Construction Materials and Testing)

Laboratory Activity No. 1

Sampling of Aggregates

Submitted by:
Alcantara, Gelvher C.
1912451

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PLEDGE

I swear on my honor that I did not use any inappropriate aid, nor give such to others, in accomplishing this coursework. I
understand that cheating and/or plagiarism is a major offense, as stated in TIP Memorandum No. P-04, s. 2017-2018, and
that I will be sanctioned appropriately once I have committed such acts. 
 

Gelvher C. Alcantara
1912451
NAME: ALCANTARA, Gelvher C. DATE: 05/04/2021
SCHEDULE/SECTION: CE22S1 / T-Th-S CE 405 – Construction Materials & Testing
GROUP NO: IV
GROUP MEMBERS: ALCANTARA, Gelvher
ESPIRITU, Mellandro
GARBO, Lhee Ann
JUGUILON, Mark Jerahmeel
PARRENO, Shania
PUMENTO, Jhon Paul
REDUTA, Danrel
TEOXON, Princess Psykie
VIDAL, Geoville
VILLALOBOS, Smhelcher

Laboratory Activity No. 1

Sampling of Aggregates
Learning Outcome:
At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1. Familiarize the basic instruments and apparatus used in reducing the field sample of aggregates to test sample.
2. Determine the two methods specified by ASTM (i.e. Quartering and Mechanical Splitter)
I. Discussion:
Sampling is the most important step in assuring the good quality of the aggregates. It is also should be the first
thing must be learned in studying construction materials and testing. As specified in ASTM C 702-98 “Standard Practice for
Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size” the two methods used in practice are Method A (Mechanical Splitter) and
Method B (Quartering). Method A separates the sample into halves as the material passes through the spaces between the
bars in the splitter. Same number of particle size goes in each half of the splitter. Method B is a non-mechanical method of
reducing a sample. The best method of reducing highly moistened compacted aggregate.
II. Apparatus:
1 unit Mechanical Splitter 2 Pans
1 Weighing Scale 1 Bag of Coarse Aggregates
1 Scoop or spoon 1 Bag of Coarse Aggregates
III. Procedure:
For Mechanical Splitter
1. Place the sample in the pan and uniformly distribute it from edge to edge so that approximately equal amounts flow
through each chute. The rate at which the sample is introduced shall be such as to allow free flowing through the
chutes into the pans below.

2. Split the sample from one of the two pans as many times as necessary to reduce the sample to the size specified
for the intended test. The portion of the material collected in the other pan may be reserved for reduction in size for
other tests.
 3. As check for effective splitting, determine the mass of each part of the split. If the ratio of the two masses differs by
more than 5 percent, corrective action must be taken.

For Quartering
1. Place the sample on a hard, clean, leveled surface where there will be neither loss of material nor the accidental
addition of foreign material.
2. Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample over a minimum of three times. With the last turning, shovel
the entire sample into a conical pile by depositing each shovelful on top of the preceding one.

3. Flatten the conical pile to a uniform thickness and diameter by pressing down with a shovel. The diameter should
be four to eight times the thickness.

4. Divide the flattened pile into four approximately equal quarters with a shovel or trowel.

5. Remove two diagonally opposite quarters, including all fine materials, and brush the cleared spaces clean.

6. Successively mix and quarter the remaining material until the sample is reduced to the desired size. The final test
sample consists of two diagonally opposite quarters

IV. Observations

Based on the experiment, sampling helps to assure that the quality of the aggregates is good. From what I've
learned, there are two most commonly used methods in the sampling of aggregates. The first is by using a mechanical
splitter, and the other one is by quartering.

Using a mechanical splitter is known as the best method for reducing the gross sample of aggregate. When the
material moves through the gaps between the splitter's bars, the sample is divided into two halves by the mechanical
splitter. Each half of the sample contains the same number of particles of each dimension, ensuring that the reduced
sample is representative of the total collected sample.

Another method used in the sampling of aggregates is by quartering. When a mechanical splitter is not available,
quartering is the best alternative method to be used in reducing the size of a bulk aggregate sample. The procedure is then
repeated on the remainder until the desired size of the sample remains. A similar process can be used for sub-dividing
fresh concrete.
METHOD A: MECHANICAL SPLITTER TEST (PROCEDURES SHOWN IN PHOTOS)
METHOD B: QUARTERING (PROCEDURES SHOWN IN PHOTOS)
V. Data and Results

Method A: Mechanical Splitter

The mechanical splitter divided the coarse aggregate sample into two according to their sizes. Pan 1 weighs 2333
grams while Pan 2 weighs 2522 grams. The resulting mass of Pan 1 and Pan 2 equates to 4855 grams which means that
there is a 2.9% difference from the initial mass of 5000 grams.

Method B: Quartering

The desired size of the sample aggregates was gathered through the non-mechanical process quartering. The final
test sample was achieved after repeating the process consecutively until the desired sample size by collecting two
diagonally opposite quarters.

VI. Conclusion

After performing the laboratory experiment, the students concluded that aggregates samples must be reduced to their
appropriate sizes for testing before being tested. Reducing the aggregates to a suitable size for testing can help to have an
accurate result in the assessment of physical characteristics of aggregates such as sieve analysis, soundness, etc. In
addition to that, performing this laboratory experiment also helped the students understand the importance of the reduction of
aggregates, which is necessary to minimize the chance of variability during handling.