Civil Engineering Department

CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

Experiment No. I

SAMPLING OF AGGREGATES

1. Objective(s):

The activity aims to introduce the basic principle, significance and procedures for the sampling
of aggregates (Coarse and Fine Aggregates).

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

The students shall be able to:

2.1 Familiarize the basic instruments and apparatus used in reducing the field sample of
aggregates to test sample.

2.2 Determine the method specified by ASTM for sampling aggregates using Mechanical Splitter

2.3 Conduct the actually the experiment with full knowledge.

3. 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.

4. Resources:

1 unit Mechanical Splitter 2 Pans

1 Weighing Scale 1 Bag of Coarse Aggregates

1 Scoop or spoon 1 Bag of Fine Aggregates

5. 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

1
 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
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.

Course and Section: CE405 – CE22S10 Experiment Number: 1

Group Number: 4 Experiment Title:

Group Members: Sampling of Aggregates

Abello, Kreselle Anne

Braga, Rigel Kent

Gavino, Rein Gillmor Date Performed: February 6, 2023

Habichy, Sophia Marie Date Submitted: March 10, 2023

Millona, Julie Ann Instructor: Engr. Brylle Jerald Timbal

6. Data and Results:

TRIAL PAN INITIAL PAN FINAL

WEIGHT(KG) WEIGHT(KG) WEIGHT(KG)
1 11.258 1.056 10.202

1 2 11.254 1.031 10.223

1 11.800 1.056 10.744

2 2 11.325 1.031 10.294

2
 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

Total weight of the sample = W1 + W2

Trial 1

Total weight = 10.202kg + 10.223kg

Total weight = 20.425kg

Trial 2

Total weight = 10.744kg + 10.293kg

Total weight= 21.037kg

Percentage of weights per pan

Trial 1

Pan 1= [ ]
10.202 kg
20.425 kg
×100

Pan 1= 49.95%

Pan 2 = [ ]
10.223 kg
20.425 kg
×100

Pan 2 =50.05%

3
 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
Trial 2

Pan 1= [ 10.744 kg
21.037 g]× 100

Pan 1= 51.07%

Pan 2 = [ 10.294 kg
21.037 kg]× 100

Pan 2 = 48.93%

Average percentages

Pan 1= [ 51.07+ 49.95

2 ]
Pan 1= 50.51%

Pan 2 = [ 48.93+50.05
2 ]
Pan 2 = 49.49%

The ratio of the two pans in both the two trials doesn’t exceed 5%. Since the percentage that was
computed are almost equal to 50% which is approximately almost 1:1.

7. Conclusion:

4
 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual

In accordance with the results, we can assert that the mechanical splitter's advanced device system
allows it to properly separate the aggregates. In the trial that conducted, the two pans has almost
equal weights. The total weight was almost divided into two equal parts being the ratio of the two
pans are almost equal to 1:1 and their percentages are both almost equal to 50%. This indicates that
the sampling of the aggregates was successful.

8. Documentation:

9. Assessment:

BEGINNER ACCEPTABLE PROFICIENT

CRITERIA SCORE
1 2 3

I. Laboratory Skills

Members
Members do not Members always
Manipulative occasionally
demonstrate needed demonstrate needed
Skills demonstrate needed
skills. skills.
skills

Experimental Members are unable Members are able to Members are able to set-
to set-up the set-up the materials up the material with
Set-up materials. with supervision. minimum supervision.

5
 Civil Engineering Department
CE405 - Construction Materials and Testing Laboratory Manual
Members
Members do not Members always
occasionally
Process Skills demonstrate targeted demonstrate targeted
demonstrate targeted
process skills. process skills.
process skills.

Members do not Members follow

Safety Members follow safety
follow safety safety precautions
Precautions precautions at all times.
precautions. most of the time.

II. Work Habits

Time
Members do not Members finish on Members finish ahead of
Management /
finish on time with time with incomplete time with complete data
Conduct of
incomplete data. data. and time to revise data.
Experiment

Members have
Members do not
defined Members are on tasks
know their tasks and
responsibilities most and have defined
have no defined
Cooperative and of the time. Group responsibilities at all
responsibilities.
Teamwork conflicts are times. Group conflicts
Group conflicts have
cooperatively are cooperatively
to be settled by the
managed most of the managed at all times.
teacher.
time.

Clean and orderly

Clean and orderly
Messy workplace workplace with
Neatness and workplace at all times
during and after the occasional mess
Orderliness during and after the
experiment. during and after the
experiment.
experiment.

Members require
Ability to do Members require Members do not need to
occasional
independent supervision by the be supervised by the
supervision by the
work teacher. teacher.
teacher.

Other Comments/Observations: Total Score

(Total Score)
Rating= ×100
24

8. Reference(s):

ASTM C 702-98 “Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size”