Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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accordance with Method A (preferred method) or by quartering 8. Procedure
in accordance with Method B. The miniature stockpile Method 8.1 Place the original sample in the hopper or pan and
C is not permitted for coarse aggregates or mixtures of coarse uniformly distribute it from edge to edge, so that when it is
and fine aggregates. introduced into the chutes, approximately equal amounts will
6. Sampling flow through each chute. Introduce the sample at a rate so as to
allow free flowing through the chutes and into the receptacles
6.1 Obtain samples of aggregate in the field in accordance below. Reintroduce the portion of the sample in one of the
with Practice D 75, or as required by individual test methods. receptacles into the splitter as many times as necessary to
When tests for sieve analysis only are contemplated, the size of reduce the sample to the size specified for the intended test.
field sample listed in Practice D 75 is usually adequate. When Reserve the portion of material collected in the other receptacle
additional tests are to be conducted, the user shall be satisfied for reduction in size for other tests, when required.
that the initial size of the field sample is adequate to accom-
plish all intended tests. Use similar procedures for aggregate METHOD B—QUARTERING
produced in the laboratory.
9. Apparatus
METHOD A—MECHANICAL SPLITTER 9.1 Apparatus shall consist of a straight-edged scoop,
shovel, or trowel; a broom or brush; and a canvas blanket
7. Apparatus
approximately 2 by 2.5 m (6 by 8 ft).
7.1 Sample Splitter—Sample splitters shall have an even
number of equal width chutes, but not less than a total of eight 10. Procedure
for coarse aggregate, or twelve for fine aggregate, which 10.1 Use either the procedure described in 10.1.1 or 10.1.2
discharge alternately to each side of the splitter. For coarse or a combination of both.
aggregate and mixed aggregate, the minimum width of the 10.1.1 Place the original sample on a hard, clean, level
individual chutes shall be approximately 50 % larger than the surface where there will be neither loss of material nor the
largest particles in the sample to be split (Note 2). For dry fine accidental addition of foreign material. Mix the material
aggregate in which the entire sample will pass the 9.5-mm thoroughly by turning the entire sample over three times. With
(3⁄8-in.) seive, a splitter having chutes 12.5 to 20 mm the last turning, shovel the entire sample into a conical pile by
(1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in.) wide shall be used. The splitter shall be equipped depositing each shovelful on top of the preceding one. Care-
with two receptacles to hold the two halves of the sample fully flatten the conical pile to a uniform thickness and
following splitting. It shall also be equipped with a hopper or diameter by pressing down the apex with a shovel so that each
straightedged pan which has a width equal to or slightly less quarter sector of the resulting pile will contain the material
than the over-all width of the assembly of chutes, by which the originally in it. The diameter should be approximately four to
sample may be fed at a controlled rate to the chutes. The eight times the thickness. Divide the flattened mass into four
splitter and accessory equipment shall be so designed that the equal quarters with a shovel or trowel and remove two
sample will flow smoothly without restriction or loss of diagonally opposite quarters, including all fine material, and
material (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). brush the cleared spaces clean. Successively mix and quarter
NOTE 2—Mechanical splitters are commonly available in sizes ad- the remaining material until the sample is reduced to the
equate for coarse aggregate having the largest particle not over 37.5 mm desired size (Fig. 3).
(11⁄2 in.). 10.1.2 As an alternative to the procedure described in
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NOTE— Small Sample Splitters for Fine Aggregate. May be constructed as either closed or open type. Closed type is preferred.
FIG. 2 Sample Splitters (Riffles)
10.1.1, when the floor surface is uneven, place the field sample fines from the blanket. Successively mix and quarter the
on a canvas blanket and mix with a shovel as described in remaining material until the sample is reduced to the desired
10.1.1, or by alternately lifting each corner of the canvas and size (Fig. 4).
pulling it over the sample toward the diagonally opposite
METHOD C—MINIATURE STOCKPILE SAMPLING
corner causing the material to be rolled. Flatten the pile as
(DAMP FINE AGGREGATE ONLY)
described in 10.1.1. Divide the sample as described in 10.1.1,
or if the surface beneath the blanket is uneven, insert a stick or 11. Apparatus
pipe beneath the blanket and under the center of the pile, then 11.1 Apparatus shall consist of a straight-edged scoop,
lift both ends of the stick, dividing the sample into two equal shovel, or trowel for mixing the aggregate, and either a small
parts. Remove the stick leaving a fold of the blanket between sampling thief, small scoop, or spoon for sampling.
the divided portions. Insert the stick under the center of the pile
at right angles to the first division and again lift both ends of 12. Procedure
the stick, dividing the sample into four equal parts. Remove 12.1 Place the original sample of damp fine aggregate on a
two diagonally opposite quarters, being careful to clean the hard clean, level surface where there will be neither loss of
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material nor the accidental addition of foreign material. Mix locations from the miniature stockpile, using any of the
the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample over three sampling devices described in 11.1.
times. With the last turning, shovel the entire sample into a
conical pile by depositing each shovelful on top of the 13. Keywords
preceding one. If desired, flatten the conical pile to a uniform
thickness and diameter by pressing down the apex with a 13.1 aggregate; aggregate—coarse; aggregate—fine; field
shovel so that each quarter sector of the resulting pile will testing—aggregate; sampling—aggregates; sample reduction;
contain the material originally in it. Obtain a sample for each specimen preparation
test by selecting at least five increments of material at random
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