What percentage change is allowed for non-critical sieves?

The percentage change allowed for non-critical sieves during transport is set at 3% for degradation. This allowance is recognized because non-critical sieves are less vital to the overall performance of the aggregate mixture compared to critical sieves. The 3% threshold accommodates natural variations that can occur during transportation, which may affect the aggregate size distribution without jeopardizing the quality of the finished product. Thus, the specification acknowledges practical realities while maintaining necessary quality control standards.

In contrast, other options either place the limits too low or refer to factors that are not generally applicable to the assessment of non-critical sieve changes during transport. A 1% change is excessively stringent, while 5% may not adequately account for the potential impacts on performance, and stating that no change at all is permissible fails to consider the realities of handling and transport that can naturally lead to minor variations.