For the cone and quarter procedure , flatten the pile to a uniform thickness so that its diameter is 4 x to 8 x its thickness.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not specified
• D. Only for large piles

Answer: (B)

The idea behind the cone and quarter procedure is to prepare a representative, manageable sample by flattening the material into a disk with a uniform thickness. Requiring the disk’s diameter to be four to eight times its thickness ensures the sample is wide enough to minimize vertical gradients and edge effects, yet thin enough to handle and to divide into four approximately equal portions for testing. If the disk were too thin, surface conditions and moisture could bias results; if it were too thick, internal variation and handling difficulty could compromise representativeness. This balance is why the statement is true.