Ateneo de Davao University

School of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

Reducing Field Samples of Aggregates to Testing Size

Lab Exercise No. 2

Submitted by:
Yuri Bonna B. Yamabuki

Submitted to:
Engr. Robert Romero

Date Performed: November 17, 2014

Date Submitted: November 24, 2014
I.

Objective

To reduce the field samples of aggregates to appropriate testing size

using the methods
of mechanical splitter and quartering (on level surface and on canvas
blanket)
II.

Procedure
Method
A

Mechanical Splitter
1. Place
the
field
sample in the pan
and distribute the
sample from edge to
edge
uniformly.
Introduce
the
sample into the feed
chute
of
the
mechanical splitter
and let the sample
flow equally to the
catch pans.
2. Repeat
the
procedure until the
desired test samples
size is obtained.

Method B Quartering on
Level Surface
1. Place the field sample on
the clean level surface
where there will be no loss
or addition of the material.
2. Mix the material by turning
the sample over at least three times. With the last turning, for the
sample into a conical pile.
3. Flatten the conical pile by pressing and form the sample into flat
circular shape. Divide the sample into four equal quarters and

remove
two
diagonally
opposite
quarters.
The
other two quarters will not
be used so set it aside for
later use.
4. Repeat the procedure until
the desired test sample
size is obtained.

Method C Quartering
on Canvas Blanket
1. Place the field sample
on the clean canvas
blanket.
2. Mix the material by
rolling the blanket and
pull each corner of the
blanket
toward
the
center of the pile so the
material will form a
conical pile.
3. Flatten the conical pile by pressing and form the sample into flat
circular shape. Divide the sample into four equal quarters and
remove two diagonally opposite quarters. The other two quarters
will not be used so set it aside for later use.
4. Repeat the procedure
until the desired test
sample size is obtained.

III.

Pictures

IV.

Conclusion
By the method of mechanical splitter and quartering (on level surface
and on canvas blanket), the field sample were reduced into testing size.
Aside from the reduction, the physical properties of the different samples
were also determined. The samples used were of different sizes in particle,
thus, the small-sized particles were easily distributed especially in the
mechanical splitter. However, for stones/rocks, even in the use of the
splitter, it is not assured that even by following the procedures, the
sample were reduced equally. For this large-sized particles, when in using
a sample size, the accurate data cannot be obtained, thus, cannot
represent it as a whole.