Sand Sample Reduction Using Sand Splitter
Sand splitter is the accepted method for fine aggregate that is drier than the saturated-surface-dry condition. As a quick check to determine this condition, if the sand remains the shape that is molded in the hand, the sand is considered wetter than saturated-surface-dry.
The sand splitter is a small version of the mechanical splitter except that the openings are fixed and there are no hopper doors.
Procedure to Use Sand Splitter
- Place the sand splitter on a leveled surface
- Place the pans under the splitter to catch all of the particles.
- Slowly pour the dry sample into the splitter from the side (never from the end or corner)
- Recombine the samples and split the sample a second time to eliminate any segregation.
- After the second splitting, the two receiving pans will contain the same amount of material. Only one pan is placed back into the hopper and the splitting procedure repeated until a sample of the desired size is obtained.