Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Program to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for Construction Materials

The laboratory testing of the construction materials and elements is a subset of activities inherent in sustainable building materials engineering. Two questions arise regarding test methods used: the relation between test results and material behavior in actual conditions on the one hand, and the variability of results related to uncertainty on the other. The paper presents the analysis of the results and uncertainties of the simple two independent test examples (bond strength and tensile strength) in order to demonstrate discrepancies related to the ambiguous methods of estimating uncertainty and the consequences of using test methods when method suitability for conformity assessment has not been properly verified. Examples are the basis for opening discussion on the test methods development direction, which makes possible to consider them as ‘sustainable’. The authors address the negative impact of the lack of a complete test models taking into account proceeding with an uncertainty on erroneous assessment risks. Adverse effects can be minimized by creating test methods appropriate for the test’s purpose (e.g., initial or routine tests) and handling with uncontrolled uncertainty components. Sustainable test methods should ensure a balance between widely defined tests and evaluation costs and the material’s or building’s safety, reliability, and stability.

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Complex Modulus Testing of Asphaltic Concrete: RILEM Interlaboratory Test Program

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198196154500118 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1545 (1) ◽

pp. 133-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. Francken ◽

M. Partl ◽

Keyword(s):

Complex Modulus ◽

Test Site ◽

Test Methods ◽

Basic Material ◽

Repeated Loading ◽

Bituminous Materials ◽

Interlaboratory Test ◽

Scale Test ◽

Loading Tests ◽

Common Effort

An interlaboratory test on bituminous materials was initiated in 1990 to promote and develop mix design methodologies and associated significant measuring methods. The exercise was carried out on materials obtained from a full-scale test site. Repeated loading tests were performed in this program by 15 participating laboratories to determine two basic material properties: the complex modulus and the fatigue law. The main conclusions derived from the analysis of complex modulus measurements and further discussions of the summary report with the participants are summarized. This intensive common effort has allowed several participants to make substantial improvements in their procedures and equipment. Recommendations are expected to induce further progress in the harmonization of different test methods.

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Three decades of international RILEM activities to combat deleterious Alkali-Silica Reactions (ASR) in concrete.

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201819903001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 199 ◽

pp. 03001

Author(s):

Børge Johannes Wigum ◽

Jan Lindgård

Keyword(s):

State Of The Art ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Performance Testing ◽

Test Methods ◽

Alkali Content ◽

International Union ◽

Field Exposure ◽

Performance Based Assessment

Since 1988, the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM) Technical Committees (TCs) have been seeking to establish universally applicable test methods for assessing the alkali-reactivity potential of aggregates, and from later on, for concrete mixes. TC 106 (1988 – 2001) focused on accelerated aggregate tests. The successor committee TC 191-ARP (2001 – 2006) also included work on diagnosis/appraisal & specification. TC 219-ACS (2006 – 2014) introduced work on performance testing & modelling. The major recommendations were published as a RILEM State-of-the-art Report in 2016. In 2014, TC 258-AAA was established, scheduling to finish the work on performance-based assessment in 2019. This current TC is focusing on the following Work Packages; WP1Performance based testing concepts, WP2 Relationship between results from laboratory and field and the establishment of field exposure sites, WP3 Testing of potential alkalis released from certain types of aggregates and measurement of internal concrete alkali content, and eventually; WP4 Verification of alkalis released from aggregates.

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