CONDUCT MATERIAL TESTING

UNIT CODE: CON/OS/CET/CR/01/6/A

UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit specifies the competencies required to Conduct Material Testing. It involves
preparing for material testing, sampling construction materials, performing tests on alignment
soils, concrete, structural steel, bitumen materials and timber. It also includes documenting test
results.

ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
These describe the key These are assessable statements which specify the
outcomes which make up required level of performance for each of the elements (to
workplace function (to be be stated in passive voice)
stated in active) Bold and italicized terms are elaborated in the Range
1 Prepare for material 1.1 Preliminary site investigations are conducted as per
testing contract document
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1.2 Material laboratory is provided and maintained

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according to contract document

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1.3 Material testing manuals and contract documents are

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obtained based on project requirements

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1.4 Material testing equipment are acquired according

to contact document and material testing manual
1.5 Material laboratory personnel are identified
according expertise and qualifications
1.6 Sampling procedures are developed according to
standard tests procedures
1.7 Types of material tests are determined according to
test procedures and requirements
1.8 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs
2 Sample construction 2.1 Sources of road construction materials are
materials identified based on contract document
2.2 Sample procedures and manuals are obtained as per
standard sampling procedures
2.3 Sampling tools and equipment are identified and
assembled according to standard procedures
2.4 Sampling is carried out as per standard sampling
procedure
2.5 Samples awaiting analysis are stored based on test
requirements

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 2.6 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs
3 Undertake tests on 3.1 Soil tests are identified according to contract
the alignment soils document
3.2 Standard manuals and procedures are obtained in
accordance with test requirement
3.3 Soil testing tools and apparatus are identified and
gathered based on test requirements
3.4 Alignment soil samples are obtained according to
test requirement
3.5 Soil tests are conducted as per standard procedures
3.6 Results are recorded and analysed according to
standard procedures
3.7 Report is prepared and presented based on contract
document requirement
3.8 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs
4 Perform concrete 4.1 Concrete tests are identified according to contract
tests document
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4.2 Standard manuals and procedures are obtained in

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accordance with test requirement

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4.3 Concrete testing tools and apparatus are identified

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and gathered based on test requirements

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4.4 Samples are obtained as per test requirement and

contract document
4.5 Samples are prepared according to standard test
procedures
4.6 Cubes are casted as per standard test procedures
4.7 Cubes are cured as per standard test procedures
4.8 Cubes are tested, and results are obtained and
recorded according to standard procedures
4.9 Analysis of test result is carried out and reported
according to standard procedure and contract
document
4.10 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs
5 Carry out structural 5.1 Structural steel sample is obtained based on
steel tests structural designs
5.2 Tensile testing machines are identified, obtained and
calibrated as per test requirement and manufacturers
manual
5.3 Test is conducted according to standard test
procedures

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 5.4 Results are recorded and analysed as per standard
procedures
5.5 Report is prepared and presented according to the
contract document
5.6 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs
6 Perform bitumen tests 6.1 Bitumen tests are identified according to contract
document
6.2 Standard manuals and procedures are obtained in
accordance with test requirement
6.3 Testing tools and apparatus are identified and
gathered based on test requirements
6.4 Samples are obtained as per test requirement and
contract document
6.5 Samples are prepared in accordance with test
procedures.
6.6 Test are conducted according to standard procedures
and contract document
6.7 Test results are recorded and analysed according to
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standard procedures
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6.8 Report is prepared and presented as per contract

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document
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6.9 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as

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per the SOPs

7 Perform timber tests 7.1 Timber tests are identified according to contract
document
7.2 Standard manuals and procedures are obtained in
accordance with test requirement
7.3 Testing tools and apparatus are identified and
gathered based on test requirements
7.4 Samples are obtained as per test requirement and
contract document
7.5 Samples are prepared in accordance with test
procedures.
7.6 Test are conducted according to standard procedures
and contract document
7.7 Test results are recorded and analysed according to
standard procedures
7.8 Report is prepared and presented as per contract
document
7.9 Testing equipment are operated and maintained as
per the SOPs

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RANGE
This section provides work environments and conditions to which the performance criteria
apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
VARIABLE RANGE
1 Material testing  Moulds
equipment may include  Tamping rods
but not limited to:  CBR test machine
 Rammer
 Ruffle box
 Casa grande apparatus
 Penetrometer
 Weighing machine
 Oven
 Measuring cylinder
 Cone cups
 Bowl
 Stirring stick
 Crushing machine
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 Moisture bags
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 Funnels
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 Standard sieves
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2 Sources of road  Borrow pits

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construction materials  Quarries

may include but not  River beds
limited to:  Timber yard
 Manufacturers
3 Soil Tests may include  CBR
but not limited to:  Atterberg limit
 Liquid limit
 Plastic limit
 Proctor/compaction
 Field density
 Particle size distribution

4 Concrete Tests may 2.1 Compressive strength

include but not limited 2.2 Slump
to: 2.3 Cleanliness
2.4 Particle size distribution

5 Steel tests may include  Tensile/Strength

but not limited to:

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 6 Bitumen Test may  Penetration
include but not limited  Cleanliness
to:  Viscosity
 Ductility
 Flash and Fire Point
 Float Test
 Loss on Heating
 Specific Gravity
 Softening Point
 Spread Rate
7 Samples are prepared  Weighing
may include but not  Drying/burning
limited to:  Mix
8 Timber tests may  Tensile/Strength
include but not limited  Compressive
to:  Shear
 Size
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REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

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This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit of competency.
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Required Skills
The individual needs to demonstrate the following skills:
 Technical
 Interpretation
 Reporting
 Analytical
 Sample handling
 Interpersonal
 Observation
 Time management
 Leadership
 Numeracy
 Computer

Required Knowledge
The individual needs to demonstrate knowledge of:
 Material testing laboratory
 Sampling procedures
 Standard manuals and procedures

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  Contract documents
 Material testing equipment
 Road construction materials
o Types
o Sources
o Properties
 Material sampling
 Test parameters
 Analysis and interpretation
 Sample preparation
 SOPs

EVIDENCE GUIDE
This provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance
criteria, required skills and knowledge and range.
1 Critical Assessment requires evidence that the candidate:
Aspects of 1.1 Prepared for material testing
Competency 1.2 Identified and obtained required tools and equipment
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1.3 Sampled test materials
1.4 Tested alignment soils
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1.5 Performed concrete test

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1.6 Carried out structural steel tests

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1.7 Prepared samples for analysis

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1.8 Performed bitumen test

1.9 Prepared and presented test reports
1.10 Demonstrate ability to use different testing tools and
equipment
1.11 Performed timber tests
2 Resource The following resources should be provided:
Implications 2.1 Workstation
2.2 Well-equipped material testing laboratory
2.3 Test samples
2.4 Standard manuals
2.5 PPEs
2.6 Stationery
2.7 Computer
3 Methods of Competency in this unit may be assessed through:
Assessment 3.1 Observation
3.2 Oral
3.3 Projects
3.4 Written
3.5 Third party report

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 3.6 Case study
3.7 Portfolio
4 Context of Competency may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination
Assessment of these. Off the job assessment must be undertaken in a closely
simulated workplace environment or during industrial attachment.
5 Guidance Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector,
information workplace and job role is recommended.
for
assessment

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