Methods for sampling of aggregates

1. Introduction:
Test of various properties of aggregates are performed on small samples of the materials. As we
are interested in bulk of the aggregates, we must ensure that the sample is typical of the average
properties of the aggregates. Such a sample is said to be representative.
The main sample may be too large and so the sample must be reduced before testing. Two
methods may be used for subdividing a large sample of granular soil to obtain a representative
test sample. These are;
i. Riffle box method
ii. Cone and quartering method
Either process may be referred to as 'riffling'.
Riffle box method
A representative subdivision of a large sample of cohesionless soil may be obtained conveniently
and rapidly by using a riffle box. Riffle boxes of several different sizes are available, ranging in
capacity from 0.3 liter to 18 liters, the largest accepting gravel size particles up to 50 mm.
A riffle box consists of two separate containers beneath a row of of slots; half the slots feed soil
into one container, half into the other, arranged alternately. This ensures that each container
receives an identical half of the original sample. use of a third container quickens the process of
successive subdivisions.
Cone and quartering method
This procedure is slower and requires more effort than the use of the riffle box, but is equally
reliable if the mixing is done thoroughly so that segregation of particle sizes does not occur.
2. Objectives:

Objectives of this methods are to determine the samples of aggregates of the quantity
required for carrying out testing on different types of aggregates.

3. Apparatus:
The following apparatus are required.
3.1 Apparatus for the Riffle box method
1. Riffle box. A box has a number of parallel vertical divisions alternate ones discharging to
the left and right as shown in Figure 1.
2. A shovel or a scoop.
3. A balance readable to at least 0.01 g.

Figure 1 - Riffle boxes

3.2 Apparatus for the Cone and quartering method
1. A shovel or a scoop.
2. A balance readable to at least 0.01 g.
4. Procedure:
The main sample for testing was made of a minimum number of 10 portions drawn from
different parts of the whole and the weight of the sample must not be less than that given in
Table1.

Type of
material
Aggregates

Table 1: Minimum mass of main sample (BS 812)

Normal size
Minimum mass main
sample
28 mm and larger

50 kg

Smaller than 28 mm and

larger than 5 mm

25 kg

5 mm or smaller

13 kg

The minimum mass of test sample for sieve analysis is given in Table 2.

Nominal size
(mm)
Minimum mass
of sample (kg)

Table 2: Minimum mass of test sample

63
50
40
28
20
14
10
50

35

15

05

02

01

0.5

<3

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.1

When the main sample was too large, then the sample must be reduced before testing. There are
two methods of doing this;

4.1 Procedure for the Riffle box method

The materials to be divided were first thoroughly mixed, then poured evenly into the riffle
box from shovel. It was distributed along all or most of the slots, not confined to two or
three slots near the middle. Each receiving container was then received an identical
sample, one of which was rejected and the other was remixed and poured back into the
riffle-box after an empty receiver was inserted. This process was repeated as many times
as necessary until the required reduction was achieved, the material from alternate sides
after successive pourings being retained. (Figure 2).

Figure 2 A suitable type of sample divider (riffle-box)

4.1 Procedure for the Cone and quartering method

The initial material was thoroughly mixed on the floor, and formed into a circular conical
heap and then it was turned over to form a new cone. This procedure was carried out three
times, the material always being deposited at the apex so that the fall of particles was
evenly distributed round the circumference. Any coarse particles around the base of the
cone was evenly distributed. The final cone was flattened, divided into quarters as shown
in Figure 3. Two diagonally opposite portions (A and C) were separated out and mixed
thoroughly together and formed into a smaller heap for quartering as before. The portions
B and D were rejected and returned to the original sample container. The above process
was repeated as many times as necessary until a small enough representative sample was
obtained.

Figure 3 Cone and quartering

Discussion:
1) Briefly discuss the consequences in a testing sample, which is obtained without
following proper sampling practices.

2) Discuss the different types of aggregate use in construction works by means of rock
types, particle shapes, surface textures, etc.