Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to Test

Sample

Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to

Test Sample ASTM C 702, D75

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Introduction:
The field samples of aggregate must generally be reduced
to an appropriate size for testing the characteristic of
aggregate so this method are intended to minimize
variations in the aggregate characteristics between the
large sample in the field(stockpiles) and the test samples
used for individual testing.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Moisture Content of Concrete Aggregate

Three different methods are used to reduce a sample

to the proper test size.
Method A - Mechanical Splitter
Method B - Quartering
Method C - Miniature Stockpile (only for sampling
damp fine aggregate)

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

Purpose: To obtain laboratory samples of aggregates from stockpiles.

aggregates stockpiles
Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University
 Moisture Content of Concrete Aggregate
Method A - Mechanical Splitter
Apparatus
Sample Splitter(Mechanical Splitter)

The sample splitters for fine &coarse aggregates

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

The mechanical sample splitter shall have an even number of
equal width chutes, not less than eight for coarse or combined
aggregate, or twelve for fine aggregate. For coarse and
combined aggregate the width of the individual chutes shall be
approximately twice the largest size particle in the sample to be
reduced. For dry fine aggregate in which the entire sample will
pass the 3/8 in. (9.5 mm) sieve, the minimum width of the
chutes shall be at least 50% larger than the largest particles in
the sample with a maximum width of 3/4 in. (20 mm).

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Procedure
1. Obtain a sample of aggregate from three places in the
stockpile: from the top third, at the midpoint, and from
the bottom third of the volume of the pile.
2. Properly place the pans under the splitter in such a way that
all of the particles diverting in both directions will be caught.
3. Pour the sample evenly into the hopper;
4. Open the hopper fully and allow the material to free fall
through the splitter.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 5. Place both halves of the sample back into the hopper and
repeat the splitting operation to ensure that the sample has
not been segregated during sampling.
6. After the second splitting, the two receiving pans will contain
approximately the same amount of material. Only one pan is
placed back into the hopper and the splitting procedure
repeated until a sample of the desired size is obtained.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Method B - Quartering

Equipment: Shovel , brush.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Procedure:
1-Obtain a sample of aggregate from three places in the
stockpile: from the top third, at the midpoint, and from the
bottom third of the volume of the pile.
2- Place the field sample on a hard, clean level surface.
3- Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample
three times.
4- Shovel the entire sample into a conical pile.
5- Carefully flatten the conical to a uniform thickness and
diameter by shovel. ( The diameter should be approximately 4
to 8 times the thickness).

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

6- Divide the flattened mass into four equal quarters with a shovel.
7- Remove two diagonally opposite quarters. Brush the cleared
spaces clean.
8-Mix and quarter the remaining materials and repeat the same
process until the sample is reduced to the desired size.

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Reducing Field Sample of Aggregate to Test Sample by Quartering

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

 Method C: Miniature Stockpile Sampling

Apparatus
1. shovel
2. small scoop, or spoon

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University
 Procedure
The splitting procedure is as follows:
1) Place the original sample on a clean, dry plate or other hard,
smooth, non-absorptive surface;
2) Using a trowel or other suitable tool, turn the entire sample
over three times;
3) Shape the material into a conical pile;
4) With a spoon or small trowel, randomly take at least five
small portions of material around the pile and one-third way up
the cone until the required test sample is obtained.
Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University
 Discussion:

1. Why the aggregate sample reduction test done? Or why its important?

2. How is aggregate sample reduction done?

3. What kind of aggregate samples are used only with miniature stockpile sampling?

4. What was the classification of your aggregate used in this test ( coarse or fine)?

Lecturer.Lawend Kamal Askar 9 October 2019 Duhok Polytechnic University