For plate method sampling behind the paver, where should the plate be installed?

For plate method sampling behind the paver, where should the plate be installed?

• A. Install the plate at least 10 ft in front of the paver or pickup device, at least 2 ft on the inside edge of the mat, positioned diagonally in the direction of travel
• B. Install the plate directly in front of the paver
• C. Place the plate 20 ft in front of the paver and centered on the mat
• D. Place the plate to the side of the mat and outside the travel path

Answer: (A)

The plate should be placed so the sample represents the mat as it’s being laid, without being distorted by the paver or by edge effects. Position it at least 10 feet in front of the paver or pickup device to sample material that has begun to spread but hasn’t yet been compacted, then move it at least 2 feet from the inside edge of the mat so you’re sampling away from where rollers and edges can skew readings. Align the plate diagonally in the direction of travel so the sampling area covers a span across the mat, averaging out variations along the width. This combination helps you get a stable, representative sample of the recent mat being formed, rather than material that’s still under the paver or already cooled and altered by downstream equipment.

The plate should be placed so the sample represents the mat as it’s being laid, without being distorted by the paver or by edge effects. Position it at least 10 feet in front of the paver or pickup device to sample material that has begun to spread but hasn’t yet been compacted, then move it at least 2 feet from the inside edge of the mat so you’re sampling away from where rollers and edges can skew readings. Align the plate diagonally in the direction of travel so the sampling area covers a span across the mat, averaging out variations along the width. This combination helps you get a stable, representative sample of the recent mat being formed, rather than material that’s still under the paver or already cooled and altered by downstream equipment.