ASTM C702/C702M-18

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: C702/C702M − 11 C702/C702M − 18 American Association State
Highway and Transportation
Officials Standard: T 248
Standard Practice for
Reducing Samples of Aggregate to Testing Size
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C702/C702M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers three methods for the reduction of large samples of aggregate to the appropriate size for testing
employingtesting. These 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 either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
NOTE 1—Sieve size is identified by its standard designation in Specification E11. The alternative designation given in parentheses is for information
only and does not represent a different standard sieve size.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C128 Test Method for Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Fine Aggregate
D75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The terms used in this practice are defined in Terminology C125.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Specifications for aggregates require sampling obtaining representative portions of the supply material for testing. Other
factors being equal, larger samples will tend to be more representative of the total supply. This practice provides procedures 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 in a manner that the smaller test sample portion is most likely to be a representation
of the larger sample, and thus of the total supply. descriptive and quality tests. Failure to carefully follow the procedures in this
practice could result in providing a nonrepresentativenon-representative sample to be used in subsequent testing. The individual
test methods provide for minimum amount of material to be tested.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.20 on Normal
Weight Aggregates.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2011Feb. 1, 2018. Published September 2011March 2018. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20032011 as
C702–98(2003).C702/C702M–11. DOI: 10.1520/C0702_C0702M-11.10.1520/C0702_C0702M-18.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C702/C702M − 18
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 size 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.
5. Selection of Method
5.1 Fine Aggregate—Reduce the size of samples of fine aggregate that are drier than the saturated-surface-dry condition (Note
2) using a mechanical splitter according to Method A. Reduce the size of samples having free moisture on the particle surfaces
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,
moisten the sample to obtain free moisture on the particle surfaces, mix thoroughly, and then reduce the sample size.
5.1.2 If use of Method A is desired and the sample has free moisture on the particle surfaces, dry the entire sample to at least
the saturated-surface-dry condition, using temperatures that do not exceed those specified for any of the tests contemplated, and
then reduce the sample size. Alternatively, if the moist sample is very large, make a preliminary split using a mechanical splitter
having chute openings of 38 mm [1 ⁄2 in.] or more in width to reduce the sample to not less than 5 kg [10 lb]. Dry the portion so
obtained, and reduce it to test sample size using Method A.
NOTE 2—The method of determining the saturated-surface-dry condition is described in Test Method C128. As a quick approximation, if the fine
aggregate will retain its shape when molded in the hand, it may be considered to be wetter than saturated-surface-dry.
5.2 Coarse Aggregates and Mixtures of Coarse and Fine 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.
6. Sampling
6.1 Obtain samples of aggregate in the field in accordance with Practice D75, or as required by individual test methods. When
tests for sieve analysis only are contemplated, the size of the field sample listed in Practice D75 is usually adequate. When
additional tests are to be conducted, the user shall be satisfied that the initial size of the field sample is adequate to accomplish
all intended tests. Use similar
...