Coffey Geosciences - QESTLab Laboratory Technician Training Course

Scope

The laboratory technician training course provides detailed instructions for the duties normally performed by a laboratory technician, including:

1. Starting and logging in to QESTLab
2. Finding samples awaiting testing in QESTLab.
3. Entering test raw data.

It covers concrete testing, soil field testing (compaction testing), and other aggregate/soil and asphalt testing.

Audience

The course is intended for staff at Coffey Geotechnical who normally perform laboratory technician duties.

Pre-requisites

The course assumes a good knowledge of the various Australian and road austhority standards for the sampling and testing of concrete, aggregates/soils and asphalt.

It also assumes general computer skills and familiarity with Windows operating systems.

Getting started with QESTLab

This module covers the process of starting and logging on to QESTLab, and a description of the main screen in QESTLab.

By the end of this module users will be able to start and log on to QESTLab, change their password, have an understanding of the main screen in QESTLab, and use the QESTLab tree to navigate the main areas of QESTLab.

Suggested duration: 45 minutes

Logging on

QESTLab:Logging on

Navigation

QESTLab:Navigation

Activity - start, logon, navigate QESTLab Start the QESTLab program. Logon using your QESTLab user ID. Your QESTLab user ID has the format firstname.lastname. Logoff from QESTLab, without shutting down QESTLab (using the Security menu) Log back on to QESTLab. Click on each node in the QESTLab tree. Notice any change in toolbar buttons, and the filter area below the tree.

Concrete testing

This module covers the process of finding concrete specimens due for testing and entering the raw test data after testing.

By the end of this module users will be able to use a QESTLab filter to display all concrete specimens due for testing on any day. They will also be able to search by sample ID and fieldsheet.

They will be able to print a worksheet or use the QESTLab electronic worksheet to record raw test data for these specimens, and record which technician did the testing.

Finding work to be done

QESTLab:Concrete testing - finding work to be done#Overview

QESTLab:Concrete testing - finding work to be done#Printing a daily worksheet

Activity - print a daily worksheet Using the filter ????Concrete daily worksheet???? produce a daily worksheet for the date ????Date????. Print the daily worksheet to your default printer. Enter the following raw test data on the worksheet ????Test data for two specimens????.

QESTLab:Concrete testing - finding work to be done#Using the electronic worksheet

Activity - produce an electronic worksheet Search by date Using the filter Concrete Compression Tests, produce an electronic worksheet for the date ????Date????. Specimens on this worksheet come from several different fieldsheets. How many fieldsheets are represented on this worksheet? Search by fieldsheet number Using the same filter, produce an electronic worksheet for specimens from the fieldsheet ????Fieldsheet number????. Search by sample ID Using the same filter, produce an electronic worksheet for specimens from the sample ????Sample ID????.

Entering raw test data

QESTLab:Concrete testing - entering raw test data#Overview

QESTLab:Concrete testing - entering raw test data#Test data entry using the electronic worksheet

QESTLab:Concrete testing - entering raw test data#Test results calculated by QESTLab

Activity - complete an electronic worksheet Using the printed worksheet above, enter the raw test data into the electronic worksheet. Enter the current time as the test time. Notice any failed specimens. Mark the specimens as measured and crushed by yourself.

Soil field testing

This module covers the process of finding soil field testing work to be done, and entering typical raw test data.

By the end of this module users will be able to use a QESTLab filter to display typical soil field tests such as Hilf ratio and converted wet density, Maximum Dry Density, or moisture content tests waiting to be done. They will also be able to search for a sample using the sample ID.

They will be able to enter test data for the above tests, and record which tester did the testing.

Finding work to be done

Overview

Technicians searching for testing work to be done have several options. They can search for:

1. Work orders - you can search for all work orders for a particular project, date range or other criteria. You can also use the work order ID to bring up a particular work order. Test data may then be entered for all the samples in this work order.
2. Specific Tests - instead of searching for each work order, you can search for all instances of a particular test, such as all incomplete moisture contents, that are waiting to be done. This will display all these tests, regardless of which job they belong to.

The method for searching is optional and may vary between laboratories.

Activity - search for a work order Using the default sample filter, find a work order using the work order ID provided in your training course. Some test results can be entered directly into the work screen. On the work order screen enter the test results provided for the test Nuclear field density [RTA T173].

Activity - search for MDD tests Using the filter MDD Tests, display all the MDD tests that are currently awaiting test results.

Entering raw test data

Entering data on the work order screen

As mentioned above, test data for some tests can be entered on the work order screen. For example, field density and moisure content test data, which doesn't required complex calculations may be entered on the work order screen. The advantage of entering data on the work order screen is that data can be entered for all samples on the one screen.

Entering data on the electronic worksheet

Other tests such as the maximum dry density have more complex calculations. Therefore data needs to be entered on the electronic worksheet provided for this test. The maximum dry density worksheet is described below.

Activity - bulk enter data on the work order screen Using the default sample filter, find a work order using the work order ID provided in your training course. On the work screen some test results can be entered. On the work order screen enter the test results provided, for the test Nuclear field density [RTA T173].

Activity - enter data on an electronic worksheet Using the filter MDD Tests, display all the MDD tests that are currently awaiting test results. Select the first MDD test. Enter the data provided in your training course.

Other aggregate/soil and asphalt testing

Finding work to be done

Overview

When a technician wants to find testing work that needs to be completed they have a number of options. They can search for all samples for a particular job, all samples tested over a particular period, and a number of other search criteria. If they know the sample number they can just bring up that sample.

Alternately, technicians can search for all instances of a particular test that need to be done. For example they can find all CBR tests that are currently incomplete, regardless of which job they come from.

Activity - search for a sample Using the default sample filter, find a sample using the sample ID provided in your training course. Expand the sample to see the tests for this sample.

Activity - search for grading tests Select the Tests/Documents node. Using an the filter Grading Tests, display all the grading tests that are currently awaiting test results.

Entering raw test data

QESTLab electronic worksheets

QESTLab provides a custom electronic worksheet for each test method. Data is entered into the worksheet during testing, and QESTLab calculates the test results according to the relevant standard.

The tests to be conducted on a sample are displayed in the tree under the sample. To display the worksheet for a particular test click on that test in the tree.

1. In the Equipment area, select the equipment used for this test.
2. In the Details area enter the test data.
3. The results will be calculated and displayed in the grey result fields.

Some worksheets such as the PSD worksheet contain more complex calculations.

The PSD worksheet is described in detail below.

Activity - enter data on an electronic worksheet Using the filter Grading Tests, display all the grading tests that are currently awaiting test results. Select the first grading test. On the worksheet, enter the data provided in your training course.