Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting client requests complex tests and sample preparation methods accurately

applying enterprise procedures

planning work sequences involving multipleparallel 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 multistage test methods accurately

estimatingcalculating scientific quantities eg total and effective stress strain and pressure

using calibration charts

interpreting significant features of data and graphs 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 samplestest pieces dataresults 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 companyorganisation image

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

complex test methods routinely used in job role including

purpose and principles of test

relationship between the engineering properties and uses of construction materials

key sample preparation stages

key treatmentmeasurement 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

stress strain pressure total and effective stress fatigue creep failure modes of materials strengthconsolidation of materials and permeability

electrical safety concepts including voltage current resistance conductorsinsulators and ACDC

principles and concepts related to equipmentinstrument operation including the function of key components and effects on test of modifying variables

preuse checks and operating procedures for test equipmentinstruments routinely used in job role

basic equipmentmethod troubleshooting procedures

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements for 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 safety and environmental management requirements relevant to job role

confidentiality requirements relevant to job role

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

select test methods operating parameters and test ranges to suit the material and its intended use

prepare and orient test pieces precisely

safely set up start up and shut down equipment

maintain close attention to measurement procedures accuracy and precision during lengthy complex tests

calculatedetermine required engineering properties with appropriate accuracy precision and units

recognise atypical dataresults and trace artefacts and problems with procedures or equipment

record and report dataresults in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintain security integrity and traceability of all samples test pieces and documentation

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

MSLA Analyse data and report results

MSL925001A Analyse data and report results.

Resources may include

engineering materials testing laboratory with appropriate test equipment instruments and samples

SOPs and test methods

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of results obtained by the candidate over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent results are obtained within required timelines

inspection of testing records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate conducting a range of complex tests on engineering materials

feedback from clients peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning

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 andor 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 study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Construction materials

A consulting company is investigating a possible dam site and needs to assess a particular soil in the foundation They request a geotechnical testing authority to determine the permeability of the soil A senior technician checks the client request and inspects the soil sample noting that it is plastic clay and fissured Heshe checks the dam design parameters and notes that the overburden pressure will be kPa

The senior technician uses a triaxial permeability test using a constant head configuration Heshe trims a cylindrical test piece determines the samples bulk density and uses the trimmings to determine its moisture content The test piece is mounted in a triaxial test cell and the equipment carefully deaired All pressure gauges regulators and transducers are checked and the equipment is leak tested A confining stress is applied and after allowing the sample to come to equilibrium it is back saturated The cell pressure is increased to kPa and as the sample consolidates the technician monitors the sample volume change and pore water pressure A differential pressure is applied in stages and the water flow through the sample is optimised After reaching a steady state the flow rate is monitored to determine the sample permeability

After taking sufficient readings to ensure a valid measurement the senior technician prepares plots of permeability and time and reports the steady state values After completing the test heshe shuts down the equipment in the recommended sequence cleans and restores all items Heshe then removes the test piece and determines the aftertest moisture content

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Preparation of samples

Test methods and procedures

Hazards

Hazard control measures

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements