Assessor Resource

MSL974012A
Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory personnel working in the geotechnical and construction material testing industry sectors who conduct tests in consulting laboratories or laboratories at extractive, manufacturing or construction sites using established test methods. These tests (such as load bearing ability, creep, shrinkage, durability, plasticity, permeability, chloride diffusion and reactivity) are used to determine the properties of aggregates, concrete, soils, road pavement or other specialised construction materials and products.

Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'.

This unit of competency covers the ability to conduct multi-stage tests to determine the properties of raw and/or manufactured construction materials. These test results are typically used by clients to prove raw material deposits, tender for supply of construction materials, classify soils, determine the suitability of construction materials for specialised uses and inform the design of civil engineering works. The unit includes data processing and interpretation of results to identify obvious errors or unexpected results and take corrective action. However, personnel are not required to analyse data, optimise test methods or enterprise procedures for specific samples or troubleshoot equipment problems where the solution is not apparent.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

MSL973001A

Perform basic tests

OR

MSL973010A

Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

plan efficient work sequences

prepare a range of laboratory samples or test pieces and conduct tests to determine their properties safely and accurately and within required timeframe

interpret trends in data and results to identify obvious errors or unexpected results and take corrective action.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units of competency such as:

MSL924001A Process and interpret data

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety

MSL953001A Receive and prepare samples for testing.

Resources may include:

data sets and records

test methods and description of test setup

computer and relevant software or laboratory information system

relevant enterprise procedures.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of test data, results and records generated by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and clients regarding the candidate's ability to conduct a range of multi-stage tests to determine the properties of samples reliably, safely and efficiently

questions to assess understanding of enterprise procedures and multi-stage test methodsrelevant to their job role (including key treatment and measurement steps, expected values, sources of uncertainty and corrective actions).

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment.

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Construction materials testing

A materials technician employed at a consulting laboratory reviews the ten job sheetsassigned to him/her at the start of the day. The first client is a road construction company and requires a soaked California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test on a sandy gravel sample (@98% density ratio using modified compactive effort and 105%OMC). The technician locates and reads through the appropriate test methods (AS 1289.6.1.1 and AS1289.5.2.1) and assembles the necessary equipment.He/she uses a 19mm sieve to obtain suitable material for the test and prepares representative sub-samples to determine the dry density and optimum moisture content and CBR.

To determine theCBR, he/she adds the required amount of water to the test portion to achieve the required laboratory density ratio and sets it aside to cure for the recommended time. Using the modified compactive effort procedure, he/she fills the mould in five layers taking care that each layer thickness meets specification. He/she then positions the required surcharges on top of the specimen and places it in a water bath to soak for four days. After retrieving the specimen, the technician checks the swell and performs the penetration test before the specimen dries out.After positioning the specimen, zeroing the measuring instruments, he/she applies the load with a constant penetration of 1+/- 0.2mm/min and records the load (kN) at penetrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5mm. Afterwards,the technician removes the sample carefully and determines the moisture content for both the top 30mm layer and the rest of the specimen. He/she plots the load vs penetration data and applies corrections at 2.5mm and 5.0mm to compensate for its initial upward concave shape. He/she reads off force values of 9.2kN (at 2.5 mm) and 13.9kN (at 5.0mm) respectively and calculates CBR values of 69.7% and 70.2%. After checking all measurements, data plots and calculated values the technician decides that the results are consistent with expected values. He/she reports each of the required results to the precision specified in the test method (e.g. CBR=70% @ 2.5 and 5.0mm penetration) and other test details such as the surcharges used and the period of soaking. After completing the test report, he/she forwards it to the laboratory manager for review prior to its release to the client.

Construction materials testing

A laboratory receives a job request from a building developer to determine the shrink/swell index for soil samples collected from a proposed housing estate. A technician logs the job and locates the appropriate test method (AS 1289.7.1.1). Given the commercial importance of establishing whether or not there are any significant cut/fill variations across the development site, he/she reviews the method carefully. The technician notes that they need to be careful when removing the sample from the U50 tube to preserve its undisturbed state and to also check for stones and inert materials. He/she works through the steps required for separately conditioning and measuring the two specimens required for determining the index and notes that if the shrink specimen cracks while drying to constant length, the results will be invalid. After assembling and checking the required equipment, he/she performs the test successfully.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting client's test requests, test methods and procedures accurately

planning work sequences involving multiple/parallel tasks

interpreting safety information, such as material safety data sheets (MSDS), and working safely

checking and using test equipment in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining concentration and applying multi-stage test methods accurately

estimating/calculating scientific quantities (e.g. stress, strain and stiffness)

interpreting gross features of data and graphs (e.g. Mohr circles) and making logical conclusions

identifying atypical data, errors and unexpected results and tracing any obvious causes

recording and presenting results accurately and legibly

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of all samples/testpieces, data/results and technical records

cleaning and maintaining equipment

seeking advice from a supervisor

communicating with clients or outside service technician

demonstrating a professional approach and positive company/organisation image

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

relationship between properties and uses of construction materials

construction materials test methods routinely used in job role including:

purpose and principles of test

relationship between the properties and uses of construction materials

sample preparation procedures

key treatment/measurement stages

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

expected values for sample type

sources of uncertainty and methods for their control

principles and concepts underpinning the test method such as:

mass, weight, forces, pressure, energy, density, friction and slip resistance

elasticity, hardness, strength of materials, plasticity, permeability and dispersion

electrical safety concepts including voltage, current, resistance, conductors/insulators andAC/DC

chemical ions, pH and solubility

principles and concepts related to equipment/instrument operation and testing including the function of key components of the equipment/instrument and effects on test of modifying equipment/instrument variables

pre-use checks and operating procedures for test equipment/instruments routinely used in job role

basic equipment/method troubleshooting procedures

procedures for ensuring traceability of samples, test pieces, test data and results

procedures for recording and reporting test results, calculations, test observations and unexpected or atypical results and equipment problems

health, site safety and environmental management requirements relevant to job role

confidentiality requirements relevant to job role

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards such as:

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS 1012 Methods of testing concrete

AS 1289 Methods for testing soils for engineering purposes

AS 2981 Methods of sampling and testing asphalt

AS 1141 Series - Methods for sampling and testing aggregates

AustRoads test methods

conservation requirements

enterprise quality manual, customer quality plan

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogues and handbooks

MSDS

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) documents regarding construction materials testing

sampling and test methods, enterprise or standard operating procedures (SOPs)

site safety plans

State/Territory Road Authority test methods

Hazards

Hazards may include:

electric shock

light, dust, noise and heat

biohazards, such as microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil

chemicals such as acids, alkalis and hydrocarbons

flammable liquids and gases

burns from hot bitumen, hot plates, hot moulds or ovens

inhalation or burns from sulphur during preparation of concrete samples

fluids under pressure

hand tools

occupational overuse syndrome, slips, trips and falls

manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

Enterprise safe work procedures

Enterprise safe work procedures may include:

use of MSDS

barriers recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs/barriers

labelling of samples, reagents and hazardous materials

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures

handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations

following established manual handling procedures for tasks involving manual handling

use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, goggles, safety glasses, coveralls, respirators and safety boots

Tests

Tests may include:

testing of concrete:

drying shrinkage

chlorides and sulphates

chloride ion penetration

stiffness

testing of cement:

air permeability

setting times

normal consistency

testing of soils:

moisture-density relationships

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) (1 point)

unconfined compressive strength

quick tri-axial stress (total stress parameters)

permeability (e.g. drainage material)

hydrometer analysis

shrink/swell tests (site classification)

testing of asphalt:

Marshall stability/flow

skid tests

testing of bitumen seals:

viscosity

penetration

softening point

flash point

testing of aggregates:

10% fines, wet-dry strength variation

<2 micron test

sodium sulphate soundness

Los Angeles Abrasion

Washington degradation

polished aggregate friction value

Samples and test pieces

Samples and test pieces may include:

samples of aggregates, soil, rock, concrete, road pavement and binders

disturbed and undisturbed samples

Test and sample preparation equipment/materials

Test and sample preparation equipment/materials may include:

crushers, mulchers, grinders, mills, riffles and sieves

moulds, bags and containers

ovens, microwaves and water baths

mass balances

microscopes

dimension apparatus (e.g. calipers and micrometer)

rammers, compression rigs and load cells

chemical reagents and volumetric glassware

temperature measuring devices, such as thermometers and thermocouples

pH and conductivity meters

analogue and digital meters, charts/recorders, data loggers and computers

Appropriate corrective actions

Appropriate corrective actions may include:

accuracy check of data entry and transcription

logical check of equipment setup

check of calibration, zero error and drift for basic instruments

careful re-reading of procedures

repeat test measurements

seek advice

Technical/administrative records

Technical/administrative records may include:

test and calibration results

equipment use, maintenance and servicing history

faulty, unsafe or quarantined equipment

Minimising environmental impacts

Minimising environmental impacts may include:

collection of surplus or spent samples and test pieces for disposal

recycling of non-hazardous waste, such as chemicals, batteries, plastic, metals and glass

appropriate disposal of all waste

correct storage and handling of hazardous chemicals and samples

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access relevant job instructions from laboratory information management system (LIMS) 
Interpret test request to confirm samples to be tested, the test method and equipment involved 
Identify hazards and enterprise controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and/or equipment 
Assemble all required equipment and materials 
Plan work sequences for optimum efficiency and/or throughput of multiple samples 
Retrieve samples and/or test pieces from storage and record their general appearance 
Check the accuracy and completeness of accompanying labels and documentation to ensure traceability 
Check that the storage/curing conditions of samples and/or test pieces were appropriate 
Compare samples and/or test pieces with test specifications, record observations and report discrepancies 
Prepare samples and/or test pieces in accordance with appropriate test method 
Conduct preliminary measurements to establish initial dimensions and test conditions as necessary 
Set up test equipment/instruments in accordance with test method 
Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Identify faulty or unsafe equipment/instruments and report to appropriate personnel 
Check calibration status of instruments and report any out of calibration items to appropriate personnel 
Perform each treatment/measurement stage of the test method precisely and in the correct sequence 
Record all data, observations and any factors that may impact on the quality of results 
Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions 
Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence 
Shut down test equipment/instruments in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Check data for accuracy and completeness 
Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with expected values for the sample type 
Record and report results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units 
Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or unexpected results promptly to appropriate personnel 
Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to unexpected data or results 
Enter approved data and test results into LIMS 
Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and test results 
Maintain technical/administrative records and test reports in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Use safe work procedures and protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others 
Minimise generation of wastes and environmental impacts of testing 
Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with environmental/quarantine requirements and enterprise procedures 
Care for and store equipment, used test pieces and back-up samples in accordance with enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL974012A - Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials
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Assessment Record Sheet

MSL974012A - Perform tests to determine the properties of construction materials

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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