If the shaker does not meet the 0.5% standard, what should be done next?

The correct course of action when the shaker does not meet the 0.5% standard is to replace the shaker. This is because a shaker that consistently fails to meet established standards indicates a potential malfunction or degradation of its components that cannot be reliably corrected through simple adjustments or settings changes. A malfunctioning shaker could lead to inaccurate aggregate separation and compromise the integrity of test results.

Replacement ensures that testing can be done with equipment that meets the necessary performance criteria, thus maintaining quality control standards in soil and aggregate testing. While adjusting the shaker settings or retesting the sample might seem viable, they do not address the underlying issue if the equipment itself is defective. Similarly, rechecking the weight of the material is important for specific assessments, but it will not resolve the issue of unreliable shaker performance. Therefore, replacing the shaker is the most appropriate and definitive solution when it fails to meet the required standards.