HOLY NAME UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER STUDIES

DAMPAS DISTR., TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL

Experiment No. 1
REDUCING SAMPLES OF COARSE AND FINE
AGGREGATES TO TESTING SIZE

Submitted by: Sipsip, Rosemarie B.

Sumalinog, Remelito
Temon, Eldie Rey

Subject: CEN 102- CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TESTING

Date Performed: June 18,2022

Date Submitted: August 24, 2022

Rate: _________

Submitted to: Engr. Aureen Mae Japos

I. Objective
Sample reduction is conducted by obtaining samples and evaluate their aggregate
quality or measure their properties to be able to meet the required proportioning or
producing concrete mixtures.

In this laboratory experiment, two methods of sample reduction are conducted for
each kind of sample aggregates. For the fine aggregates, mechanical sample splitter
method is used and for the coarse aggregate is quartering.

This experiment aims to:

 show two methods of reducing sample aggregates to testing size.
 reduce sample coarse and fine aggregates to testing size.

II. Theory
To be able to determine the physical characteristics such as, sieve analysis,
soundness, hardness, etc., of a field sample of aggregates, it must be generally be
reduced to an appropriate size for testing. The methods discussed in this experiment
are intended to minimize variations in the characteristics of aggregates between the
smaller test sample and the larger field sample.

Some of the methods of sample reduction are, Method A: Mechanical Sample

Splitter, Method B: Quartering Method, Method C: Miniature Stockpile. The
technician must be able to use the appropriate method dependent on such factors as
aggregate size and moisture content.

Reduction of field samples may be not recommended in all situation. Substantial

variations may inevitably happen during sample reduction, i.e., in the case of an
aggregate having relatively few large size particles in the sample, an unequal
distribution of the few particles happen among the reduced size test samples. Upon
examination of the test sample for certain contaminants occurring as a few discreet
particles in a small percentage, the reduced test sample may not pass to truly
represent the total aggregate as produced. In this situation, there will be a need to test
the entire original sample field. The lack to carefully follow the process of different
methods in sample reduction could lead on producing a nonrepresentative sample for
subsequent testing, which also leads to inaccurate test results and worst, the aggregate
could not perform its purpose.

III. Apparatus
 Straight-edged scoop
  Shovel
 Broom or brush
 Pan
 Mechanical splitter - The mechanical splitter splits the sample into two halves as
the material passes through the spaces between the bars in the splitter. Equal
numbers of each particle size go into each half of the sample, thus leaving a less
sample representative of the total collected sample.

IV. Procedure
 Reducing Samples of Coarse Aggregate (Method- Quartering)
1. Place the original sample on a hard, clean, level surface.
2. Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample over with the shovel
at least 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. Carefully flatten the conical pile to a uniform thickness and diameter by
pressing down the apex with the shovel so that each quarter section of the
resulting pile will contain the material initially in a pile. The pile diameter
should be approximately four to eight times thickness.
4. Divide the flattened pile into four equal quarters with the shovel or trowel.
5. Remove two diagonally opposite quarters, including all fine material. Brush
the cleared spaces clean.
6. Successively mix and quarter the remaining material in the same fashion as
the original sample. Continue this process until the following quantities are
obtained:
 2 sets of approximately 5kg.
 Approximately 4 liters.
  Reducing Samples of fine Aggregates (Method- Mechanical Splitter)

1. Place the original sample, or portion thereof, in the hopper or pan and
uniformly distribute it from edge to edge being sure the sample appears
homogenous (well-blended). Carefully introduce the sample into the chutes in
a manner that allows the aggregate to flow freely through the openings and
into the catch pans. Continue this procedure until the entire sample has been
halved, being careful that catch pans do not overflow.
2. Remove the catch pans and set them aside. Continue splitting one-half of the
material. Follow this procedure, being sure to split the entire increments, until
the following sample sizes are obtained:
 Approximately 500 grams
 Approximately 1000 grams
 Approximately 4 liters
3. Retain the unused material until all desired tests are performed in case a retest
is needed.

V. Results

Reduction of Field Samples to Testing Size

Type of Aggregate Sand Gravel

Classification of Fine Coarse

Aggregate
Sample Reduction Mechanical Splitter Quartering
Method
Weight 2 bags 3 bags of ¾
Observable Impurities Soil, dry leaves, plastics Soil, dry leaves, plastics
Within the sample
Amount of Sample Approximately 500 grams Approximately 5 kls
Reduced Approximately 1000 Approximately 4 liters
grams
Approximately 4 liters
VI. Discussion of Results
In this experiment, two types of aggregate- sand and gravel, were used and under the
classification of fine and coarse respectively. This laboratory was done to obtain a
reduced amount as sample test size. Mechanical splitter and Quartering were the two
methods tested which are applicable to fine and coarse aggregates sample.

For the sand, the method of sample reduction used is mechanical sample splitter. This
method requires the need of using the mechanical splitter machine by means of
passing the sand into adjoining chutes that direct the flow of the aggregates into two
different containers. The other container of aggregates is then eliminated or set aside
for further testing. While, the other container of aggregates will then be introduced
back again into the machine until amount of sample for testing size is achieved.

The Quartering method is applied for the coarse aggregates. The sample is mixed
together with a shovel, shaped in to a conical pile, flattened to equal diameter and
then divided into four quarters where the other diagonally opposite quarters are set
aside and left diagonal quarters are then mixed again and the repetition of the process
until amount of sample for testing size is achieved.

VII. Conclusion
Reducing of Sample Aggregates to testing size is performed to evaluate the
aggregates qualities and properties to be able to meet the required proportioning. The
methods such as, Quartering and Mechanical splitter are methods intended to
minimize variations in measured characteristics between the selected test sample and
the large sample. Hence, through these methods which help minimize variations and
increase uniformity within the desired test sample, it was ensured that the sample test
results are sufficient to represent the whole sample.

VIII. References

 Retrieved from: Tip4w.pdf (nrmca.org)

 Retrieved from: ASTM C702 - Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
(appliedtesting.com)
 Retrieved from: (1) REDUCING SAMPLES OF AGGREGATE TO TESTING SIZE AASHTO T
248 | Justine Asuncion - Academia.edu