Submitting Sample and Test Data using DIME

for
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C1252 version 17
Standard Test Methods for Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate (as Influenced by Particle Shape, Surface Texture, and Grading)

General Information

Data Interchange for Materials Engineering(DIME) is a web application and database developed by the California Department of Transportation, Materials Engineering & Testing Services (METS) to allow material testing laboratories the ability to easily submit sample information and test data into the DIME database via the internet.

DIME's vision is to provide a user-friendly web-based interface for storing and sharing material data.

DIME is secure and password protected. If your lab/organization does not have an account you will have to request that one be created for your laboratory or organization prior to submitting data to DIME. Please see the instructions found on the Sign In / Registration page. If your lab/organization already has an account, please sign in and/or continue to read below for instructions.

If further assistance is needed, please contact the DIME Administrator.

How to create a sample record and test record for ASTM C1252-17

A sample record contains information to identify the material sample such as the project identifier, material type, date and time of sampling, name of the person that collected the sample and location where the sample was collected. A test record contains results of the test or tests performed on a portion or all of the sample of the material that was collected. Prior to creating a test record in DIME, a sample record must be created and recorded in DIME. A sample record may be created without any test records associated with it and then test records added as needed.

Sample and test records can be created in DIME using one of two methods: online forms or DIMEXML uploads.

Online Form Method

Create a sample record online by completing the "Sample Record" Form

The sample record is the material/sample identification.

After signing in, look for the "New Sample" button or the "New Sample" link to get to the Sample Record form. Upon arrival at the Sample Record form, provide the project identifier (use "99999" if doing a trial run), select "Aggregate" for "Material Type", pick the "Sample Taken Date", and click the "Next" button to load the remainder of the "Sample Record" form. If the project does not exist within DIME then contact the METS Representative responsible for the area where the project is located. An example of a Sample Record form is shown below.

Click here to view step-by-step instructions

Sample Record Form

Required fields are marked with a red asterisk (*)

Indicate whether or not your lab will be the one doing testing on this sample.
The date that the sample arrived at the testing facility.
Indicate the type of testing to be performed on this sample. Choose from the dropdown list.
The amount of material this sample represents. For example, four bags, 990 hoops, 90 CY, etc.
Description of the sampled material. For example, Type II cement, PCC core, epoxy, HMA Type A, Manufactured Sand, Natural Sand, etc.
The first name of the sampler or witness.
The last name of the sampler or witness.
The title of the person who took the sample or witnessed the sampling.
The phone number of the sampler or witness.
Indicate where the sample was taken from. For example, Distributor, Job Site, Manufacturer, etc.
The name of the manufacturer that produced this sample. For example, WR Meadows, Robertson's Rialto, Teichert Ready Mix Plant, etc.
The sample identifier used internally by the tesing laboratory.
If the sample is associated with another DIME sample, please provide the DIME sample ID. For example, 2019-11-12-2.
The printed number from the TL-0101 form if available.
The lot number from the TL-0101 form if available.
01Alameda 02Alpine 03Amador 04Butte
05Calaveras 06Colusa 07Contra Costa 08Del Norte
09El Dorado 10Fresno 11Glenn 12Humboldt
13Imperial 14Inyo 15Kern 16King
17Lake 18Lassen 19Los Angeles 20Madera
21Marin 22Mariposa 23Mendocino 24Merced
25Modoc 26Mono 27Monterey 28Napa
29Nevada 30Orange 31Placer 32Plumas
33Riverside 34Sacramento 35San Benito 36Santa Barbara
37San Diego 38San Francisco 39San Joaquin 40San Luis Obispo
41San Mateo 42San Bernardino 43Santa Clara 44Santa Cruz
45Shasta 46Sierra 47Siskiyou 48Solano
49Sonoma 50Stanislaus 51Sutter 52Tehama
53Trinity 54Tulare 55Tuolumne 56Ventura
57Yolo 58Yuba     

County Codes

The bridge number (including county code) or other structure identifier. For example, 06-0056, 19-0086, etc.
The name of the bridge or other structure. For example, LAKE BRITTON UP, ROUTE 174/80 SEPARATION, etc.
The pit/quarry identifier (SMARA) of the dominant source of this material. Please enter only one identifier. For example, 91-03-0011.
An identifier for the concrete mix design. For example, G3-15-STR-006F.
The product's name as given by the manufacturer. For example, "5 Star Highway Patch".
The designation assigned by the fabricator or manufacturer for this sample. For example, Mix, Lot, Batch, Plant or Mill, etc.
Identifier for this material as given by the fabricator, manufacturer or source.
The specific location of sample collection. For example, conveyor belt, back of truck, from a specific tank or bin, stockpile, concrete sample from wheelbarrow, etc.
Intended location on the project for this material. For example, building slab, column, footing, pile cage, station, etc.
The size of the aggregate material you are submitting. Please choose from the list.
The assigned lot number of this material from the source.
The assigned sublot number of this material from the source.

Submit test data using the online form method

Once a sample record has been created and saved in the DIME database the test data can be submitted. If not already on the sample detail page, click here for detailed instructions on how to search for an existing sample record. If you are already on the Sample Detail page, click on the "Submit New Test" link on the right hand side of the page to start the submission process. An example of a New Test form is shown below. The 3-step process is listed below:

  1. Select "ASTM C1252-17: Standard Test Methods for Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate (as Influenced by Particle Shape, Surface Texture, and Grading)" from the dropdown list, click "Next"
  2. Answer any preliminary questions the test method may have and click "Next"
  3. Fill in the online form with the test data in the appropriate areas.

Click here to view step-by-step instructions.

DIMEXML Upload Method

Create sample and test records with DIMEXML upload method

DIME supports uploading of sample records and test results for ASTM C1252-17 in an XML file format that is validated against the Aggregate DIMEXML schema defined by Caltrans' Office of Structural Materials. The DIMEXML upload method is the preferred method of submitting data to DIME. Initial set-up of a system to create XML files is required but using the DIMEXML file upload method will enable testing laboratories to upload multiple files in a much more efficient manner as opposed to individual form input and submission. An example of the DIMEXML upload form is shown below. The complete Aggregate DIMEXML schema, which includes the definitions for ASTM C1252-17, can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here. These files can be opened and viewed in a simple text editor program. If you are only interested in the structure of the DIMEXML file for ASTM C1252-17, click here.

Once you are familiar with the Aggregate DIMEXML schema and have created DIMEXML files for ASTM C1252-17, follow the instructions below to upload the file(s):

  1. Click the "DIMEXML Upload" link after you have successfully logged in.
  2. Select the ASTM C1252-17 DIMEXML file(s) that you want to submit
  3. Click the "Upload All Selected Files" button.

Click here to view step-by-step instructions.

DIMEXML Upload