Standard Practice for Reducing Samples of Aggregate to

Testing Size
AASHTO Designation: R 76-161,2

Technical Section: 1c, Aggregates

Release: Group 3 (August 2016)

ASTM Designation: C702/C702M-11

1. SCOPE

1.1. These methods cover the reduction of large samples of aggregate to the appropriate size
for testing, employing techniques that are intended to minimize variations in measured
characteristics between the test samples so selected and the large sample.

1.2. The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.3. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns associated with its use.
It is the responsibility of the user of this procedure to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to its use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

2.1. AASHTO Standards:

2.2. ASTM Standard:

3. TERMINOLOGY

3.1. Definitions—the terms used in this standard are defined in ASTM C125.

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

4.1. Specifications for aggregates require sampling portions of the material for testing. Other
factors being equal, larger samples will tend to be more representative of the total supply.
The methods described in this standard provide for reducing the large sample obtained in
the field or produced in the laboratory to a convenient size for conducting a number of tests
to describe the material and measure its quality. These methods are conducted in such a
manner that the smaller test sample portion will be representative of the larger sample and,
thus, of the total supply. The individual test methods provide for minimum masses of
material to be tested.
4.2. Under certain circumstances, reduction in size of the large sample prior to testing is not
recommended. Substantial differences between the selected test samples sometimes
cannot be avoided, as, for example, in the case of an aggregate having relatively few large-
sized particles in the sample. The laws of chance dictate that these few particles may be
unequally distributed among the reduced-size test samples. Similarly, if the test sample is
being examined for certain contaminants occurring as a few discrete fragments in only
small percentages, caution should be used in interpreting results from the reduced-size test
sample. Chance inclusion or exclusion of only one or two particles in the selected test
sample may importantly influence interpretation of the characteristics of the original
sample. In these cases, the entire original sample should be tested.

4.3. Failure to carefully follow the procedures in these methods could result in providing a
nonrepresentative sample to be used in subsequent testing.

5. SELECTION OF METHOD

5.1. Fine Aggregate—Samples of fine aggregate that are drier than the saturated surface-dry
condition (Note 1) shall be reduced in size by a mechanical splitter according to Method A.
Samples having free moisture on the particle surfaces may be reduced in size by quartering
according to Method B, or by treating as a miniature stockpile as described in Method C.

5.1.1. If the use of Method B or Method C is desired, and the sample does not have free moisture
on the particle surfaces, the sample may be moistened to achieve this condition, thoroughly
mixed, and then the sample reduction performed.

Note 1—The method of determining the saturated surface-dry condition is described in T

5.1.2. If use of Method A is desired and the sample has free moisture on the particle surfaces, the
entire sample may be dried to at least the surface-dry condition, using temperatures that
do not exceed those specified for any of the tests contemplated, and then the sample
reduction performed. Alternatively, if the moist sample is very large, a preliminary split may
be made using a mechanical splitter having wide chute openings 38 mm (11/2 in.) or more
to reduce the sample to not less than 5000 g. The portion so obtained is then dried, and
reduction to test sample size is completed using Method A.

5.2. Coarse Aggregates—Reduce the sample using a mechanical splitter in accordance with
Method A (preferred method) or by quartering in accordance with Method B. The miniature
stockpile Method C is not permitted for coarse aggregates or mixtures of coarse and fine
aggregates.

5.3. Combined Coarse and Fine Aggregate—Samples that are in a dry condition may be reduced
in size by either Method A or Method B. Samples having free moisture on the particle
surfaces may be reduced in size by quartering according to Method B. When Method A is
desired and the sample is damp or shows free water, dry the sample until it appears dry or
until clumps can be easily broken by hand (Note 2). Dry the entire sample to this condition,
using temperatures that do not exceed those specified for any of the tests contemplated,
and then reduce the sample. The miniature stockpile Method C is not permitted for
combined aggregates.

Note 2—The dryness of the sample can be tested by tightly squeezing a small portion of
the sample in the palm of the hand. If the cast crumbles readily, the correct moisture range
has been obtained.

6. SAMPLING
6.1. The samples of aggregate obtained in the field shall be taken in accordance with T 2, or as
required by individual test methods. When tests for sieve analysis only are contemplated,
the size of field sample listed in T 2 is usually adequate. When additional tests are to be
conducted, the user shall determine that the initial size of the field sample is adequate to
accomplish all intended tests. Similar procedures shall be used for aggregate produced in
the laboratory.

METHOD A—MECHANICAL SPLITTER

7. APPARATUS

7.1. Sample Splitter—Sample splitters shall have an even number of equal-width chutes, but not
less than a total of eight for coarse aggregate, or twelve for fine aggregate, which
discharge alternatively to each side of the splitter. For coarse aggregate and mixed
aggregate, the minimum width of the individual chutes shall be approximately 50 percent
larger than the largest particles in the sample to be split (Note 3). For dry fine aggregate in
which the entire sample will pass the 9.5-mm (3/8-in.) sieve, the minimum width of the
individual chutes shall be at least 50 percent larger than the largest particles in the sample
and the maximum width shall be 19 mm (3/4 in.). The splitter shall be equipped with two
receptacles to hold the two halves of the sample following splitting. It shall also be
equipped with a hopper or straightedged pan, which has a width equal to or slightly less
than the overall width of the assembly of chutes, by which the sample may be fed at a
controlled rate to the chutes. The splitter and accessory equipment shall be so designed
that the sample will flow smoothly without restriction or loss of material (see Figure 1).
 Figure 1—Sample Splitters (Riffles)

Note 3—Mechanical splitters are commonly available in sizes adequate for coarse
aggregate having the largest particle not over 37.5 mm (11/2 in.).

8. PROCEDURE

8.1. Place the original sample in the hopper or pan and uniformly distribute it from edge to
edge, so that when it is introduced into the chutes, approximately equal amounts will flow
through each chute. The rate at which the sample is introduced shall be such as to allow
free flowing through the chutes into the receptacles below.

8.2. Reintroduce the portion of the sample in one of the receptacles into the splitter 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 receptacle may be reserved for reduction in
size for other tests.

METHOD B—QUARTERING

9. APPARATUS

9.1. Apparatus shall consist of a straightedge; straightedged scoop, shovel or trowel; a broom or
brush; and a canvas blanket or tear-resistant tarp approximately 2 by 2.5 m (6 by 8 ft).

10. PROCEDURE

10.1. Use either the procedure described in Section 10.1.1 or 10.1.2, or a combination of both.

10.1.1. Place the original sample on a hard, clean, level surface where there will be neither loss of
material nor the accidental addition of foreign material. Mix the material by turning the
entire sample over at least three times until the material is thoroughly mixed. With the last
turning, form the entire sample into a conical pile by depositing individual lifts on top of the
preceding lift. Carefully flatten the conical pile to a uniform thickness and diameter by
pressing down the apex with a shovel or trowel so that each quarter sector of the resulting
pile will contain the material originally in it. The diameter should be approximately four to
eight times the thickness. Divide the flattened mass into four equal quarters with a shovel
or trowel and remove two diagonally opposite quarters, including all fine material, and
brush the cleared spaces clean. The two unused quarters may be set aside for later use or
testing, if desired. Successively mix and quarter the remaining material until the sample is
reduced to the desired size (see Figure 2).

10.1.2. As an alternative to the procedure in Section 10.1.1 or when the floor surface is uneven,
the field sample may be placed on a canvas blanket or tear-resistant tarp and mixed with a
shovel or trowel as described in Section 10.1.1, leaving the sample in a conical pile. As an
alternative to mixing with the shovel or trowel, lift each corner of the blanket or tarp and
pull it over the sample toward the diagonally opposite corner, causing the material to be
rolled. After the material has been rolled a sufficient number of times (a minimum of four
times), so that it is thoroughly mixed, pull each corner of the blanket or tarp toward the
center of the pile so the material will be left in a conical pile. Flatten the pile as described in
Section 10.1.1. Divide the sample as described in Section 10.1.1, or insert a stick or pipe
beneath the blanket or tarp and under the center of the pile, then lift both ends of the
stick, dividing the sample into two equal parts. Remove the stick, leaving a fold of the
blanket between 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 the stick, dividing the sample into four
equal parts. Remove two diagonally opposite quarters, being careful to clean the fines from
the blanket or tarp. The two unused quarters may be set aside for later use or testing, if
desired. Successively mix and quarter the remaining material until the sample is reduced to
the desired size (see Figure 3).
Figure 2—Quartering on a Hard, Clean, Level Surface
 Figure 3—Quartering on a Canvas Blanket or Tear-Resistant Tarp

METHOD C—MINIATURE STOCKPILE SAMPLING (DAMP FINE

11. APPARATUS

11.1. Apparatus shall consist of a straightedge; straightedged scoop, shovel, or trowel for mixing
the aggregate; and either a small sampling thief, small scoop, or spoon for sampling.

12. PROCEDURE

12.1. Place the original sample of damp fine aggregate on a hard, clean, level surface where
there will be neither loss of material nor the accidental addition of foreign material. Mix the
material by turning the entire sample over at least three times until the material is
thoroughly mixed. With the last turning, form the entire sample into a conical pile by
depositing individual lifts on top of the preceding lift. If desired, the conical pile may be
flattened to a uniform thickness and diameter by pressing the apex with a shovel or trowel
so that each quarter sector of the resulting pile will contain the material originally in it.
Obtain a sample for each test by selecting at least five increments of material at random
locations from the miniature stockpile, using any of the sampling devices described in
Section 11.1.

13. KEYWORDS

13.1. Aggregate; aggregate sample; mechanical splitter; quartering.

1 Technically equivalent but not identical to ASTM C702/C702M-11.