BULLETIN 1216, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
Method of 
sampling. 
Size and 
weight of 
sample for 
stone tests. 
Samples 
for concrete 
aggregate. 
Information 
with sample. 
Method of 
sampling. 
METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING NON- 
BITUMINOUS HIGHWAY MATERIALS. 
METHODS OF SAMPLING STONE, SLAG, GRAVEL, SAND, 
STONE BLOCK, AND PAVING BRICK FOR USE AS HIGH- 
WAY MATERIALS, INCLUDING SOME MATERIAL SUR- 
VEY METHODS. 
(A. s. T. M. standard method, serial designation 1» 75-22, modified.) 
1. Sample of all materials to bo tested as a basis fur acceptance 
or rejection of the supply shall be taken by the engineer or his 
authorized representative. Samples for Inspection or preliminary 
tost may ho submitted by the producer or owner of the supply. 
I. SAMPLING OF STONE. 
A. Sampling or Stone from Local Ledges and Noncommercial 
Quarries for Quality. 
2. The Ledge or quarry face shall he inspected closely to de- 
termine any variations in different layers. Any difference in color 
or structure shall be observed, and if necessary to secure a 
representative sample unweathered specimens shall be broken 
from different layers. 
3. (a) For the standard stone tests, separate samples, at least 
30 pounds of fresh unweathered specimens in each, shall he taken 
from all layers that appear to vary in color or structure. When 
more than one piece is taken, the minimum size shall he 2 inches. 
except that there shall he one piece of each sample to he used 
in the toughness or compression test which shall have a minimum 
size of 4 by 5 by 3 inches on which the bedding plane shall be 
marked and which shall be free from seams or fractures. 
(&) The character of samples to he tested for concrete ag- 
gregate will depend upon the kind of tests to be made and the 
number of specimens necessary. 
4. In addition to the general information to be furnished with 
all samples, the following information shall he furnished with 
all samples from local ledges which are not commercial sources: 
Name of owner: approximate quantity available (if quantity is 
very large this may be recorded as practically unlimited) : amount 
and character of overburden or stripping: haul to nearest point 
on road where the material is to be used: character of haul 
(kind of road and grade) ; also some detailed record of the ex- 
tent and location of the material represented by each sample. 
For this purpose a sketch, plan and elevation showing the thick- 
ness and location of the different layers is recommended. 
B. Sampling of Stone from Commercial Quarries for qtality 
\m> Size. 
5. When practicable, samples from commercial quarries shall 
be taken from the ledge or quarry face and the same procedure 
shall be followed as when sampling local ledges. 
6. The following factors affect the size of broken stone: Size 
and shape of screen openings: length of screen sections: the 
angle of screen with the horizontal; the speed of screen rota- 
tion; and the rate at which the screen is Uh\. a general in- 
spection and record of these conditions shall be made. The 
sample shall be taken preferably from cars or boats while load- 
ing from stock piles or bins. In order that the sample may be 
representative, it is recommended that separate samples he taken 
at different times while the material is being loaded. If the 
sample must be taken from the bin or stock pile, several samples 
shall be taken from different parts of the stock pile and from 
the top of the bin and the loading chute. These separate samples 
