Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction

Raw Materials Testing For Concrete Production Procedures Training

SAQA US 116571 | NQF 4 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the knowledge and skills to perform raw materials testing for concrete production in accordance with industry standards. It covers sampling, testing procedures, and interpretation of results to ensure quality control in concrete manufacturing.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply correct sampling techniques for aggregates, cement, and water used in concrete production.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in conducting standard tests such as sieve analysis, moisture content, and compressive strength.
  • Analyze test results to determine compliance with specification requirements.
  • Evaluate the quality of raw materials and their impact on concrete performance.
  • Implement corrective actions based on non-conforming test results.
  • Document and report test data accurately for quality assurance records.

Target Audience

This course is designed for laboratory technicians, quality control personnel, and production supervisors involved in concrete manufacturing or construction materials testing.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Raw Materials in Concrete Production

Objectives:
• Understand the role of raw materials in concrete quality
• Identify types of cement, aggregates, water, and admixtures
• Explain the importance of testing in compliance with SANS standards
• Recognize health and safety protocols in a testing laboratory

Topics:
• Overview of concrete and its components
• Cement types and properties (SANS 50197)
• Aggregates: fine and coarse (SANS 1083)
• Water quality requirements (SANS 51008)
• Chemical and mineral admixtures
• Introduction to SANS and SAQA standards
• Laboratory safety and PPE requirements
• Documentation and record-keeping basics

Day 2: Sampling and Preparation of Raw Materials

Objectives:
• Apply correct sampling techniques for cement, aggregates, and water
• Prepare samples for testing according to standard methods
• Reduce sample size using riffling and quartering
• Label and store samples to maintain integrity

Topics:
• Sampling procedures for cement (SANS 5850)
• Sampling aggregates from stockpiles and conveyors
• Water sampling and preservation
• Sample reduction methods: riffling, quartering
• Moisture content determination
• Sample labelling and chain of custody
• Practical exercise: sampling and preparation

Day 3: Physical Testing of Cement and Aggregates

Objectives:
• Perform fineness and setting time tests on cement
• Conduct particle size distribution analysis on aggregates
• Determine flakiness and elongation indices
• Record and interpret test results accurately

Topics:
• Cement fineness by sieving (SANS 5852)
• Setting time using Vicat apparatus (SANS 5850)
• Soundness test (Le Chatelier method)
• Aggregate sieve analysis (SANS 3001-AG1)
• Flakiness and elongation index (SANS 3001-AG2)
• Bulk density and voids content
• Practical demonstration and hands-on testing

Day 4: Mechanical and Durability Testing of Aggregates

Objectives:
• Measure aggregate crushing and impact resistance
• Assess abrasion resistance using Los Angeles machine
• Determine water absorption and specific gravity
• Evaluate aggregate soundness and alkali-silica reactivity potential

Topics:
• Aggregate crushing value (ACV) test (SANS 5841)
• Aggregate impact value (AIV) test
• Los Angeles abrasion test (SANS 5844)
• Water absorption and specific gravity (SANS 5845)
• Soundness test using sodium sulfate (SANS 5846)
• Alkali-silica reactivity (ASTM C1260)
• Data recording and calculation exercises

Day 5: Water and Admixture Testing

Objectives:
• Test water pH, chlorides, sulfates, and total solids
• Verify admixture conformity with manufacturer specifications
• Determine admixture dosage effects on concrete properties
• Interpret test results against standard limits

Topics:
• Water pH measurement (SANS 5858)
• Chloride and sulfate content in water
• Total dissolved solids and suspended solids
• Admixture types and functions (SANS 50900)
• Admixture density and solids content
• Setting time and compressive strength with admixtures
• Practical: water and admixture testing

Day 6: Quality Control and Statistical Analysis

Objectives:
• Apply statistical methods to evaluate test results
• Identify non-conforming materials and take corrective action
• Maintain quality control charts and records
• Understand inter-laboratory proficiency testing

Topics:
• Statistical parameters: mean, standard deviation, range
• Control charts and trend analysis
• Acceptance criteria for raw materials
• Non-conformance reporting and corrective actions
• Calibration of testing equipment
• Inter-laboratory comparison and proficiency testing
• Practical: data analysis from previous days

Day 7: Practical Integration and Assessment

Objectives:
• Perform a complete raw material testing protocol independently
• Compile a comprehensive test report
• Demonstrate competence in all unit standard outcomes
• Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios

Topics:
• Full practical assessment: sampling, testing, and reporting
• Compilation of test reports with conclusions
• Review of unit standard outcomes (116571)
• Case studies: common raw material issues
• Feedback and improvement strategies
• Q&A session and course wrap-up
• Certificate of attendance preparation

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
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Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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