Aashto R 47

Standard Practice for
Reducing Samples of Asphalt

Mixtures to Testing Size
AASHTO Designation: R 47-19

Technical Subcommittee: 2c, Asphalt–Aggregate Mixtures
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Release: Group 3 (July)
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

444 North Capitol Street N.W., Suite 249
Washington, D.C. 20001
Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Provided by IHS Markit under license with AASHTO Licensee=Dept of Transportation/5950087001, User=Dsouza, Christopher
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 09/09/2019 11:11:51 MDT
Standard Practice for
Reducing Samples of Asphalt Mixtures to

Testing Size
AASHTO Designation: R 47-19

Technical Subcommittee: 2c, Asphalt–Aggregate
Mixtures
Release: Group 3 (July)
1. SCOPE
1.1. This standard practice outlines methods for the reduction of large samples of asphalt mixture to
the appropriate size for testing, employing techniques that are intended to minimize variations in
the 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 practice may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. 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 and health practices
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENT
2.1. AASHTO Standard:
 R 97, Sampling Asphalt Mixtures
3. TERMINOLOGY
3.1. mastic—a mixture of asphalt binder and fine mineral material.
4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

4.1. Specifications for asphalt mixtures require sampling portions of the material for testing. Other
factors being equal, larger samples will tend to be more representative of the total supply. This
method 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 such 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. The individual test methods
provide the minimum quantity of material necessary.
TS-2c --`,```,,`,``,,`,``,```,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`--- R 47-1 AASHTO

Provided by IHS Markit under license with AASHTO © 2019 by the American Association of State Highway
Licensee=Dept and Transportation User=Dsouza,
of Transportation/5950087001, Officials. Christopher
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS
All rights reserved. Duplication Not
is aforviolation of applicable law.
Resale, 09/09/2019 11:11:51 MDT
5. SELECTION OF METHOD
5.1. The selection of a particular method to reduce the large sample to test size depends on the amount
of material comprising the large sample. It is recommended that for a large amount of material, a
mechanical splitter be employed whenever possible, thus lessening the time needed for reduction
and minimizing the loss of temperature. To further reduce the sample size, a quartering method
can be used.
6. SAMPLING
6.1. Obtain samples of asphalt mixture according to R 97 or as required by individual test methods.
When additional tests are to be conducted, ensure that the initial size of the field sample is
adequate to accomplish all intended tests. Use similar procedures for asphalt mixtures produced in
the laboratory.
MECHANICAL SPLITTER METHOD
7. APPARATUS
7.1. Mechanical Splitter Type A—The splitter shall have four equal-width chutes that discharge the
material into four appropriately sized containers. The splitter shall be designed with a receiving
hopper that will hold the asphalt mixture field sample until a handle releases the material to fall
through a divider and distribute it into four equal portions. The splitter shall be designed so that
the asphalt mixture field sample will flow smoothly and freely through the divider without
restriction or the loss of material (see Figures 1 to 3).
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Metric Equivalents
in. mm
7 178
10 254
13.5 343
14 356
24 610
Note: All dimensions shown in inches unless otherwise noted.

Figure 1—Mechanical Splitter Type A
Metric Equivalents
in. mm
6 152
13.5 343

Figure 2—Plan View of Splitter
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a. Elevation View of Bottom Portion of Splitter b. Plan View of Bottom Portion of Splitter
Metric Equivalents
in. mm
6 152
7 178
14 356
Figure 3—Elevation and Plan View of Bottom Portion of Splitter
7.2. Mechanical Splitter Type B—This splitter shall have an even number of equal-width chutes (no
fewer than a total of eight for a Large Splitter and no fewer than twelve for a Small Splitter),
which discharge alternately to each side of the splitter. The minimum width of the individual
chutes shall be approximately 50 percent larger than the largest particle to be split. The splitter
shall be equipped with two receptacles to catch the two halves of the sample following splitting. It
shall also be equipped with a hopper or straight-edged pan that 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 and freely without restriction or the loss of material (see Figure 4).
a. Large Splitter for Large Samples b. Small Splitters for Small Samples
Figure 4—Mechanical Splitter Type B

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Note 1—Type B mechanical splitters are commonly available in sizes adequate for asphalt
mixtures having a nominal maximum aggregate size not over 25.4 mm (1 in.). Use closed versions
for larger sizes.
TS-2c R 47-4 AASHTO

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7.3. Noncontact Temperature Device (optional)—A noncontact temperature device suitable for
determining the temperature of a heated splitter.
7.4. Asphalt Release Agent—Shall not contain any solvents or petroleum-based products that could
affect asphalt binder properties.
8. PROCEDURE FOR MECHANICAL SPLITTER METHOD

8.1. Place the splitter on a level surface. The splitter and accessory equipment may be heated, not to
exceed the maximum mixing temperature of the asphalt mixture, as determined by a noncontact
temperature device. Surfaces of the mechanical splitter that will come in contact with the asphalt
mixture may be lightly coated with an approved asphalt release agent to prevent a buildup and loss
of asphalt binder and fines. The release agent shall not contain any solvents or petroleum-based
products that could affect asphalt binder properties.
8.2. Mechanical Splitter Type A—Place the field- or laboratory-prepared asphalt mixture into the
mechanical splitter hopper, and position four sample receptacles to receive the reduced portions of
the original sample. Fill the hopper in such a manner as to avoid segregation of the asphalt
mixture, typically using a continuous or segmented pour from multiple directions around the
hopper. Release the handle to drop the asphalt mixture through the dividers into the sample
receptacles. Reintroduce selected receptacles from opposite corners into the splitter hopper as
many times as necessary to further reduce the asphalt mixture sample to the size specified for the
intended test.
8.3. Mechanical Splitter Type B—Place the field- or laboratory-prepared asphalt mixture into the
sample splitter pan or hopper, 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 flow through the chutes into the
receptacles below. The entire sample may be mixed by repeated use of the mechanical splitter.
Reintroduce the portion of the sample from one of the receptacles into the splitter as many times
as necessary to reduce the sample to the size necessary for the intended test. The portion of the
material collected in the other receptacle may be reserved for reduction in size for other tests.
QUARTERING METHOD
9. APPARATUS
9.1. Quartering Template—A quartering template manufactured from a suitable metal that withstands
heat and use without deforming is recommended. The template should be configured in the form
of a cross with sides of equal length sufficient to be 1.1 times the diameter of a flattened cone of
the asphalt mixture sample to be quartered. The height of the sides should be sufficient to extend
above the thickness of the flattened cone of the asphalt mixture sample to be quartered. The sides
shall form a 90-degree angle at their juncture (see Figure 5).
TS-2c
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Figure 5—Quartering Device
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9.2. Flat-Bottom Scoop—A large, straight-edged, flat-bottom scoop should be used to sample the
asphalt mixture. A square shovel or trowel will meet this requirement.
9.3. Straightedge—Large spatula, trowel, or metal straightedge.
9.4. Nonstick paper.
9.5. Asphalt Release Agent—Shall not contain any solvents or petroleum-based products that could
affect asphalt binder properties.
10. PROCEDURE FOR QUARTERING METHOD

10.1. Place the original sample on a hard, “nonstick,” clean, level surface where there will be neither a
loss of material nor the accidental addition of foreign material. The surface can be made nonstick
by the application of an approved asphalt release agent or nonstick paper. The template and other
tools may be heated, not to exceed the maximum mixing temperature of the asphalt mixture.
10.2. Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample over a minimum of four times with a
flat-bottom scoop or by alternately lifting each corner of the paper and pulling it over the sample
diagonally toward the opposite corner, causing the material to be rolled. Create a conical pile by
either depositing each scoop or shovelful of the last turning on top of the preceding one, or lifting
both opposite corners. Carefully flatten the conical pile to a uniform thickness and diameter by
pressing down the apex with a shovel or large, flat-bottomed, square scoop. The diameter should
be approximately four to eight times the thickness. Make a visual observation to ensure that the
material is homogeneous.
10.3. Divide the flattened mass into four quarters by inserting the quartering template and pressing
down until the template is in complete contact with the surface on which the sample is placed.
Straightedges may be used in lieu of the quartering device to completely separate the material into
approximately equal quarters.
10.4. Reduce the sample using one of the following procedures:
10.4.1. Remove two diagonally opposite quarters, including all fine mastic material. Remove the
quartering template. Successively mix and quarter the remaining material until the sample is
reduced to the desired size.
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10.4.2. Using a straightedge, slice through a quarter of the asphalt mixture from the center point to the
outer edge of the quarter. Pull or drag the material from the quarter holding one edge of the
straightedge in contact with the quartering device. Two straightedges may be used in lieu of the
quartering device. Remove an equal portion from the opposite quarter.
INCREMENTAL METHOD
11. APPARATUS
11.1. Flat-Bottom Scoop—A large, straight-edged, flat-bottom scoop should be used to sample the
asphalt mixture. A square shovel or trowel will meet this requirement.
11.2. Nonstick heavy paper.
11.3. Large spatulas, trowels, metal straightedge, or 305-mm (12-in.) drywall taping knife.
11.4. Miscellaneous Equipment—Including hot plate; non-asbestos, heat-resistant gloves or mittens;

pans; buckets; and cans.
12. PROCEDURE FOR INCREMENTAL METHOD

12.1. Place the original sample on a hard, nonstick, clean, level surface where there will be neither loss
of material nor the accidental addition of foreign material. The surface shall be covered with a
nonstick heavy paper. Tools may be heated, not to exceed the maximum mixing temperature of the
asphalt mixture.
12.2. Mix the material thoroughly by turning the entire sample over a minimum of four times with a
flat-bottom scoop or by alternately lifting each corner of the paper and pulling it over the sample
diagonally toward the opposite corner, causing the material to be rolled. Create a conical pile by
either depositing each scoop or shovelful of the last turning on top of the preceding one, or lifting
both opposite corners. Make a visual observation to ensure that the material is homogeneous.
12.3. Grasp the paper; roll the material into a cylindrical roll (loaf), and flatten the top.
12.4. Pull the paper so that at least one-fourth of the length of the loaf is off the edge of the counter.
Allow this material to drop into a container. Alternately, use a straightedge to slice off
approximately one fourth of the length of the loaf and place the material in a sample pan or
container. Set the material obtained aside.
12.5. Pull additional material off the edge of the counter and drop the appropriate-size sample into a
sample pan or container. Alternately, use a straightedge to slice off an appropriate-size sample
from the length of the loaf and place in a sample pan or container.
12.6. Repeat Section 12.5 as necessary until the proper-size sample has been obtained (Note 2). Repeat
Sections 12.4 and 12.5 until all the samples for testing have been obtained. At any time while
obtaining test samples, it may be necessary to reroll the material as described in Sections 12.2
and 12.3.
Note 2—When reducing the sample to test size, it is advisable to take several small increments,
determining the mass each time until the proper minimum size is achieved. Unless the sample size
is grossly in excess of the minimum or exceeds the maximum test size, use the sample as reduced
for the test.
TS-2c R 47-7 AASHTO

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13. KEYWORDS
13.1. Asphalt mixture; incremental method; quartering method; sample reduction; sample splitter;
sampling.
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TS-2c R 47-8 AASHTO

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What are the different methods described for reducing asphalt mixture samples?

What are the different methods described for reducing asphalt mixture samples?

What factors should be considered when selecting a reduction method?

What factors should be considered when selecting a reduction method?

Standard Practice for

Reducing Samples of Asphalt

AASHTO Designation: R 47-19

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Reducing Samples of Asphalt Mixtures to

AASHTO Designation: R 47-19

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

4. SIGNIFICANCE AND USE

TS-2c --`,```,,`,``,,`,``,```,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`--- R 47-1 AASHTO

MECHANICAL SPLITTER METHOD

TS-2c R 47-2 AASHTO

Note: All dimensions shown in inches unless otherwise noted.

Note: All dimensions shown in inches unless otherwise noted.

TS-2c R 47-3 AASHTO

Note: All dimensions shown in inches unless otherwise noted.

Figure 3—Elevation and Plan View of Bottom Portion of Splitter

Figure 4—Mechanical Splitter Type B

TS-2c R 47-4 AASHTO

8. PROCEDURE FOR MECHANICAL SPLITTER METHOD

9.3. Straightedge—Large spatula, trowel, or metal straightedge.

9.4. Nonstick paper.

10. PROCEDURE FOR QUARTERING METHOD

10.4. Reduce the sample using one of the following procedures:

TS-2c R 47-6 AASHTO

11.2. Nonstick heavy paper.

11.4. Miscellaneous Equipment—Including hot plate; non-asbestos, heat-resistant gloves or mittens;

12. PROCEDURE FOR INCREMENTAL METHOD

TS-2c R 47-7 AASHTO

Copyright American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

TS-2c R 47-8 AASHTO

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