Coffey Geosciences - QESTLab Laboratory Supervisor Training Course

	Scope The laboratory supervisor training course provides detailed instructions for the duties normally performed by laboratory supervisors and data entry personnel. It covers sample registration, billing, checking data input, test report signing and distribution. It also covers the duties of laboratory technicians - finding work to be done and entering raw test data. Audience The course is intended for staff at Coffey Geotechnical who normally perform the tasks of sample registration, billing, checking results, and signing and distributing test reports. This may vary depending on staffing arrangements at each laboratory and may include both laboratory supervisors and data entry personnel. Pre-requisites The course assumes a good knowledge of the various Australian and Road Authority 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: 15 minutes

Logging in to QESTLab

Step 1. To start QESTLab double click the QESTLab Client icon on the desktop.

Step 2. When QESTLab has loaded the QESTLab log in screen will appear. Enter your QESTLab login name and password provided to you by your QESTLab administrator.

The first-time password that is generated by the system by default is "QEST_password" (minus the quotes). You will be prompted to change this when you access QESTLab for the first time.

Changing your password

The first time you log in to QESTLab change your password to something known only to you.

Step 1. With QESTLab running click the Security menu then select Change Password.

Step 2. In the Old Password field type your current password.

In the New Password field type your new password. Re-enter your new password in the Confirm Password field.

Step 3. Click OK to save your new password.

Logging out

Logout and change user

It is possible to log a different user in to QESTLab without shutting down QESTLab and restarting.

Step 1. With QESTLab running click the Security menu then click Logout.

Step 2. To login another QESTLab user, click the Security menu then click Login.

The new user can then enter their username and password as normal.

NOTE:

1. If you are logged on and the computer that you are running QESTLab on is unattended then there is the possibilty that another person may use the computer to carry out work under your name. When not using QESTLab it is recommended that you either Logout off QESTLab or lock the computer.

2. While you are logged in the Audit Trail keeps a log of every action you make in QESTLab. This is a security feature that enables the tracking of every change made to every field in QESTLab. For this reason you must only work in QESTLab when logged on using your own account.

Close QESTLab

To close QESTLab down on your computer click the File menu then click Exit, or click on the X button in the top right corner of the QESTLab screen

Navigating QESTLab

QESTLab operates like Windows Explorer. There is a left hand and a right hand window. Navigation in QESTLab is done using the tree in the left hand window.

The QESTLab tree

Notice the names of the nodes in the tree. Each node allows the user to manage a different area in QESTLab. For example, the Samples node is used to register samples in QESTLab.

The QESTLab tree will look different for users with different levels of permissions in QESTLab. If a user does not have access to a particular area in QESTLab, that node will not be displayed in the tree. For example, if you do not have rights to modify clients in QESTLab you will not see the clients node in the tree. The image below shows all the possible nodes in the QESTLab tree.

Below is a brief description of the different areas in the tree.

Clients	Users with sufficient rights may add, remove and maintain details for all your customers in this area.
Projects	Add, remove and maintain the list of projects your organisation is working on.
Work Orders	Work orders are a convenient way to register a group of samples. They are similar to a test request. Select the work orders node to register and search for work orders.
Samples	Individual samples are registered and displayed under the samples node. Select the samples node to register or search for samples.
Tests/Documents	Select the tests/documents node to search for tests, test reports, or documents other than work orders or samples. Expand this node to see the filters that can be used to search for various documents in QESTLab.
Billing	When invoices are raised they are displayed under the billing node.
Equipment	Equipment is registered in QESTLab and displayed under the equipment node. Expand the equipment node to see the different types of equipment that can be registered in QESTLab.
Lists	QESTLab lists allow you to maintain lists of commonly used items, such as concrete plants, aggregate/soil materials, tester names, and many others. This makes data entry faster and simpler. Lists are displayed and maintained under the lists node.
Reports and Charts	This area is used to create and run reports and charts for quality control or other management functions.
Specification	Specifications are used to set acceptable limits for test results. They are created and maintained under the specifications node.

The QESTLab tree can be hidden by clicking on the Show/Hide Tree button in the toolbar.

Laboratories

The Lab dropdown box above the tree shows the labs to which you have access.

The global lab

Most users will have access to only one laboratory. In this case you will see this lab plus the (global) lab. The global lab contains data (generally clients, plus other data) that needs to be available to all labs.

Note that if you change the lab selected in the Lab dropdown box the tree will change. If you notice that the tree looks unfamiliar or nodes are missing check that you have your lab selected and not the (global) lab.

Accessing more than one lab

If you have been granted rights to more than one laboratory you will see these labs in the Lab dropdown box. Select a laboratory to restrict the data shown in QESTLab to that lab. (all) will also be shown in the laboratory list. Selecting a lab of (all) simply displays information for all laboratories that the user has access to.

Notice that if all laboratories is chosen, then the tree will group items by laboratory, as shown below for the Lists.

This functionality can be turned off by clicking the Show/hide lab nodes button on the toolbar. If this is de-selected then information is not grouped by laboratory.

Filters

Filters are a way of searching for documents in QESTLab, such as samples, test reports, or invoices. Filters are displayed in the left hand window underneath the QESTLab tree. Filters are included with QESTLab and new ones may be created as required by your QESTLab administrator.

Since different filters are used to search for different things, notice that a different filter appears in the filters area depending on which node is selected in the QESTLab tree.

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

Registering concrete samples

This module covers the process of registering a group of concrete samples, called a concrete sample group in QESTLab. It describes all the screens in detail.

By the end of this section users should be able to register a concrete sample group. They should also be able to include a billing document for the capturing of billing information for the sample, and a concrete test report to report the test results.

Suggested duration: 1 hour

Overview

Concrete samples are added and displayed in the QESTLab tree under the Samples node.

There are two main documents (screens) for concrete testing in QESTLab - the concrete sample group document and the concrete sample document.

The concrete sample group level contains, as the name suggests, information that is applicable to a group of concrete samples taken from the same project on a particular day. This includes the client, project and date cast, as well as other information.
The concrete sample document stores the actual fieldsheet data for that sample, and the test data for each of the specimens in that sample.

In the QESTLab tree the concrete sample group is displayed with the concrete sample(s) 'hanging' off. In the example the concrete sample group is highlighted and shows the client, project and date cast. There is only one concrete sample in the example, but there may be many concrete samples, one for each fieldsheet for that project for that day. It is shown with the fieldsheet number, plant, time sampled, and mix.

Notice the two other documents displayed at the same level as the concrete sample document. These document are the concrete test report document, and the QESTLab billing document. These are normally added whenever a concrete sample group is registered. The concrete test report is used to report concrete test results, and the billing document is used to store charges associated with the sample, for inclusion on an invoice at the end of the month.

The advantage of having two documents is that the concrete sample group allows information common to all samples to be entered once, billed once, and reported on the same test report.

Registering a concrete sample group

To register a concrete sample group follow the steps below:

Step 1. Select the Samples node in the tree, and click the New sample button .

Step 2. The Add Sample(s) and Document(s) window is displayed. To add a concrete sample group, select Concrete Sample Group from the Type of Sample to be added.

Step 3. In the Select group(s) area, select the concrete sample group as shown above, or select individually the documents to be added to the sample. Users with sufficent rights will also be able to create, edit and delete document groups at this screen.

Note that if a document is not listed on this screen then your organisation is not licensed for that document. If a document appears but is greyed out then your user account does not have rights to view or edit that document.

In order to generate charges for the sample a billing document must be added when registering a concrete sample group. For more details on billing see Billing and Invoicing. In order to report test results a concrete test report must be added. For more detail on reporting test results see the article Concrete testing - the test report.

Step 4. Select the laboratory at which you wish to register the sample. (This selection will be disabled if the laboratory context has been established in the QESTLab tree.)

Step 5. Leave the Sample ID field blank to automatically create a sample ID using the QESTLab sample counter.

Step 6. To copy an existing sample click the Copy details from existing sample drop down list. This lists all concrete sample groups for the selected laboratory in the QESTLab database. Select a sample to copy if required. Note that for large databases it may take up to a minute to populate this list. The exact fields that will be copied to the new sample is defined in the QEST Administrator Console by a user with QESTLab administrator rights.

Step 7. Click OK to add the new sample. The selected documents will appear in the QESTLab tree below the concrete sample group as shown below.

Note the hierachical arrangement of the concrete sample. The concrete sample group document (highlighted) appears first and the concrete sample, billing, and test report documents all 'hang' off the concrete sample group.

Note the concrete sample group document (highlighted) in the tree displays the sample number assigned using the concrete sample counter, but the client, and project and date cast are not yet populated. Similarly the concrete sample does not yet display the fieldsheet number, plant or other details in the tree. These will be displayed when the concrete sample group document and the concrete sample document are completed.

The concrete sample group document

The next step in the registration is to complete the fields in the concrete sample group document. The concrete sample group document provides a means of entering information that applies to many concrete samples (fieldsheets).

Completing the concrete sample group document

Step 1. Select the concrete sample group document in the tree.

Step 2. The concrete sample group document is displayed in the right hand window. Some customers have requested their own customised version of this document which may look slightly different to the example below.

Any field with a button can be selected from a list. For fields with two boxes, either select the item from the list or enter the code in the first box and press Enter on the keyboard.

Select a client and project and enter the date cast, date received, and moisture cure time. The remaining fields can be completed if required. Remarks appear on the concrete test report in the remarks box at the bottom of the report as shown below.

The concrete sample document

The last step in the registration process is to complete each concrete sample document in the concrete sample group. The concrete sample document contains the fieldsheet data and the details of each specimen.

Completing the fieldsheet data

Step 1. Click on the concrete sample document in the tree.

Step 2. The concrete sample document in displayed in the right hand window. Again, this document may look slightly different to the example below.

Step 2. Enter the following data:

The unique fieldsheet number.
The grade, this will automatically populate the F'c field.
Select the name of the person who did the sampling in the Sampled By drop down box.

The remaining data on this screen is optional. Each field is described in the table below.

Fieldsheet	The unique fieldsheet number. The fieldsheet number must be unique and can be the number from a pre-printed fieldsheet or simply a sequential number managed by the laboratory.
Time Batched	Time, in 24 hour format, that the batch of concrete was batched. Any format is acceptable. eg 1200, 12.00, 12:00, 12, 12a, 12 pm, etc.
Time Sampled	Time, in 24 hour format as above, that this sample was taken.
On Site
Sampled By	Select the name, or enter the code, of the person who took the sample. Populated from the QESTLab Sampled by list.
Grade	Grade of the concrete in this sample. eg N32. The grade is used to populate the F'c.
F'c	Design strength of the concrete. Automatically populated from the grade. eg 32. The F'c is used to calculate which specimens have failed strength testing.
Plant	Select the name, or enter the code, of the plant that batched the concrete. Populated from the QESTLab Concrete plant list.
Mix	The mix code of the mix in the batch.
Max Agg	The size of the maximum aggregate in the mix.
Supplier	The concrete supplier for the plant selected in the Plant field. The supplier field is populated with the supplier name entered in the concrete plant list for this plant.
Design Slump	The design slump of the mix.
Meas. Slump (initial)	The measured slump before additives.
Meas. Slump (final)	The measured slump after additives.
Truck	The reference number of the truck that delivered the batch of concrete associated with this docket number.
Docket No.	Docket (ticket) number for the batch.
Batch No.	Batch number for the batch.
Water Added Before/After Test (WABT/WAAT)	Check the relevant box to display the litres field, and enter the amount in litres.
Weather	The weather at sampling time. Populated from the QESTLab Weather list.
Temperature Air/Concrete	Air/concrete temprature at time of sampling.
Compaction	Select the concrete compaction method. Populated from the QESTLab Concrete compaction method list.
Sampling Method	The sampling test method number used for this sample.
Conditioning
Load	The size of the concrete load in the batch.
Prog Load
Sampling Location	Select the sampling location.
Location	Enter details of the location if required.
Remarks	Enter remarks regarding the sample if required.

Step 3. Slump only tests

If the sample was taken for slump testing only, and no specimens are to be added, tick the Slump Only box to identify the sample as a slump only sample.

Note that this will only register as one slump test when charges are generated later. If you wish to charge for more than one slump test you can manually alter this in the billing document later.

Step 4. Registering concrete specimens

To register and display the specimens for this sample select a test group from the Test Group drop down box. Test groups are setup by a QESTLab administrator in the concrete test groups list. They contain commonly added groups of specimens and are used to save time during sample registration. Note that once a test group is selected and the sample is saved, the test group field is hidden and no longer available for selection.

Alternately specimens may be added manually, without selecting a test group, by simply entering the number of specimens in the No. field. Also, note that even if specimens are added using a test group, extra specimens may be added by increasing the number in the No. box.

Step 5. The concrete specimens are shown below the fieldsheet information. Notice that much of the data has been completed for each specimen. This is contained in the concrete test group.

If this is correct then the process of sample registration is complete.

The concrete specimen grid

Each field in the concrete specimen area is explained below. Note that the test data and results fields are only shown when the relevant checkbox is ticked.

You may make changes to the data that was entered as part of the concrete test group in this area. Test data can also be entered here, although it is generally entered elsewhere using an electronic version of the daily worksheet to enter data for all specimens tested that day.

The important fields are highlighted in bold.

The specimen details fields

Specimen ID	Consists of the fieldsheet number and the ID of the specimen (A,B,C etc). Identifies the specimen on the concrete test report.
Type	The test to be performed on the specimen. eg COMP100, FLEX150, etc. Note that the type selected determines the measurement columns that are displayed. Different columns will be displayed for different test types.
ID	A letter used to identify each specimen in a sample (A,B,C etc).
Client ID	The client specimen ID if required.
Age	The age of the specimen, in days, at which the test must be conducted. The age may be changed by typing a different age in this field. Note this will change the test date.
Test Date	The test date for the specimen. This is automatically calculated from the date cast on the concrete sample group screen, and the specimen age.
Std Cure	The standard cure. Leave blank or enter one of the three following options: number of days, A for air cured, or S for site cured. Reported on the concrete test report.
Mould	The identifying number of the mould used for this specimen.
Spec Locn	The location of the specimen in the curing room or water tank.
Cap	Type of cap used in testing. The cap is reported on the concrete test report.
Fc	The F'c of the mix.
Marks	Record significant marks on the specimen. The marks are reported on the concrete test report.
Print	Select Yes or No to determine whether the test results for this specimen will appear on the test report.
Charge	Select Yes or No to determine whether the charge for this specimen will be included in the automatic generation of charges for this sample.
Charge to Plant	Select Yes or No to determine whether this specimen will be charged to the plant instead of the client for this sample group. This requires that the plant have an entry in the QESTLab client list.
Extern Samp	Select Yes if the specimen was sampled externally.

The test data fields

Enure the Show Test\Raw Data box is ticked to display the test data columns.

The test data columns appear between the Cap and Density columns, and also include the Test Time and Age Hours columns. Note that the measurement columns that appear depend on the type of specimen selected in the Type column.

Measurement columns	The measurements for the relevant dimensions of each specimen type (ie. Dia1, Dia2, Dia3, Len, Len1, Len2, Wid, Wid1, Wid2, Dep, Dep1, Dep2, Spn, Height). Note that only the relevant dimension fields will be shown, for each specimen type. Also not that the average of the two measurements (eg Dia1 and Dia2) is reported on the concrete test report along with the other measurement (eg Height).
Weight	The weight of the specimen in kgs.
Load	The load on the test machine in kNs. The density and strength results that are reported on the concrete test reports are calculated using the measurement, weight and load results above.
Extern Crush	Select Yes if the specimen was crushed externally.
Test Time	The test time in 24 hour format.
Age Hours	The specimen age in hours, calculated from the test time.

The results fields

Tick Show Results to display the result columns.

Dens	The density calculated from the test data and reported on the concrete test report.
Strgth	The strength calculated from the test data and reported on the concrete test report. The type of strength reported on the test report varies for diferent test types (eg compressive strength for COMP tests, modulus of rupture for FLEX tests, etc).
Prd Str	Predicted strength. If the QESTLab is integrated with QESTMix then the system can predict the acceptance age strength of an earlier age specimen. Note that this field is not visible for some specimen types.
Wet Dens	Optional entry of Wet density result.
Failure Mode	the failure mode for each specimen. A list of possible failure modes is maintained by a QESTLab administrator in the QESTLab concrete failure mode list. There are two important implications of choosing a failure mode. The first is that some failure modes will result in the exclusion of this result from sample average calculations. The second is that for some failure modes the specimen is considered complete. The failure mode is reported on the concrete test report.
Measured By	The name of the person who measured this specimen.
Crushed By	The name of the person who crushed this specimen.
Checked By	The name of the person who checked the results for this specimen.

Activity - register a concrete sample group Register a concrete sample group including one sample, a billing document and a concrete test report. Use the document group Concrete Testing Complete the fields in the concrete sample group document and the concrete sample document. Data will be provided in your training course.

Finding work to be done

This module covers the process of finding concrete specimens due for testing.

By the end of this module users will be able to use a QESTLab report to print a daily worksheet of all specimens due for testing on a particular day. The will also be able to use a filter to display the electronic worksheet for the day's testing. They will also be able to search by sample ID and fieldsheet number.

Printing a daily worksheet

Follow the steps below to print a daily worksheet for all specimens due for testing on a particular date. Note that the daily worksheet report can be modified by your QESTLab admininstrator, so the name and layout of the report may be slightly different to that presented here.

Step 1. Expand the Reports node in the QESTLab tree. All reports are displayed in this area. Select the daily worksheet report. In the example it is called Concrete Compression Worksheet and found in a group called Concrete Testing. This may be different in your laboratory.

Step 2. The filter is displayed in the QESTLab filter area below the tree. Enter the required test date, or select the date using the calender. Click the Refresh button to run the report.

Step 3. The worksheet is displayed in the right hand window. An example is shown below.

Click the Print button in the toolbar to print the worksheet.

Activity - print a daily worksheet Using the report Concrete Compressive Worksheet produce a daily worksheet for the date provided by your trainer. Print the daily worksheet to your default printer. Enter the raw test data on the worksheet, provided by your trainer.

Using the electronic worksheet

QESTLab provides an electronic worksheet for entering test data for all specimens for a particular date, regardless of project. The electronic worksheet may be used to enter data directly into QESTLab during testing or to enter data written on a printed daily worksheet.

Step 1. Expand the Tests/Documents node in the tree and select the filter Concrete Compression Tests. Note that this is not the daily worksheet discussed earlier, which is found under the Reports area in the tree.

Step 2. The Concrete Compression Tests filter is displayed in the data filter area.

Notice that the date defaults to Today. If a different date is required enter the date or use the calendar to select the date. You may also limit the search further by entering a sample ID or a fieldsheet ID. Run the filter by clicking the Refresh button .

Step 3. The specimens are displayed in the tree, grouped by test type. Note that this grouping may be slightly different for your organisation.

Step 4. Click on the test type node in the tree (eg. click on COMP100). The specimens are displayed in the right hand window ready for data entry.

Searching for concrete samples using the sample or fieldsheet ID

You may also want to search for particular concrete samples rather than displaying the electronic worksheet for specimen data entry. To do this follow the steps below:

Step 1. Select the Samples node in the tree.

Step 2. In the filter area, select either Concrete Samples or the Concrete Sample Groups filter.

.

Step 3. Enter a sample ID, fieldsheet ID or other search criteria and run the filter by clicking the Refresh button . The samples will be displayed in the tree

Activity - produce an electronic worksheet Search by date Using the filter Concrete Compression Tests, produce an electronic worksheet for the date provided by your trainer. Specimens on this worksheet come from several different fieldsheets. Notice how many fieldsheets are represented on this worksheet? Search by fieldsheet number Using the same filter, produce an electronic worksheet using the fieldsheet ID provided by your trainer. Search by sample ID Using the same filter, produce an electronic worksheet for using the sample ID provided by your trainer.

Entering raw test data

This module covers the process of entering raw test data for concrete testing. By the end of this section users should be able to enter test data either during testing, or afterwards using the printed worksheet. They should be able to record which technician did the measuring and which technician did the crushing.

For a full description of each specimen field, see the previous section on The Concrete Specimens. Note that many of the specimen fields have already been entered for the specimens. This was done during sample registration. Enter the test data as follows:

Step 1. Tick the Show Raw Data box to display the test data columns in the worksheet.

Step 2. Enter the measurements, weight and load results for each specimen. Press ENTER on your keyboard to move from one cell to the next. There is no need to click in each cell using the mouse.

The strength and density results for each specimen will be calculated and displayed in the grid. If a strength result is less than the F'c the result is highlighed in red.

Step 3. Enter the test time for each specimen. The age in hours will be calculated and automatically populated.

Step 4. By default the failure mode will typically be set to 'N' (Normal). If the failure was not normal then you can use an alternative letter designation as per the 'Failure Mode List'. For example 'S' for Shear, 'A' for Abnormal, etc.

Step 5. Optionally you may select the QESTLab user who measured and crushed the specimen in the Measured By and Crushed By fields.

Test results calculated by QESTLab

When raw test data is entered QESTLab calculates the following results:

The density and strength result for each specimen.
Sample average strength/densty - The average strength and density results for specimens of a certain type and age are calculated and stored in the database (eg. the average 28 day strength for COMP100 specimens). This is done for each sample.
Pair difference - The difference in strength and density results between two specimens of the same type and age is calculated and stored for each sample.

The sample average and pair difference calculations are done for predetermined ages present in a sample. (Typically, 7,28,56 and 90 day). If these differences exceed tolerances (as per AS1379 for Australia) then the results are highlighted in red.

It is important to realise that data entered for specimens on the electronic worksheet is stored with that sample and reported on the concrete test report. The worksheet is simply a convenient way to enter data for multiple samples.

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.

Checking concrete test results

This module covers the checking of concrete test results and signing of concrete test reports.

By the end of this section users with sufficient rights should be able to use a filter to display concrete test results that are complete and ready for checking, and then mark them as checked.

Users should also be able to use a filter to display concrete test reports that are ready for signing, and sign them either individually or as a group.

Suggested duration: 1 hour