Contents

Overview

• The Concrete Sample (US) screen is a complex screen containing several tabs, each of which contain multiple fields for entering information about a concrete sample. Additionally there is an area, the concrete specimen grid, for recording test results for individual specimens.
• The concrete specimen grid, and its variations, is at the heart of most of the data entry methods for laboratory concrete test results.
• While some fields are always visible, the Test Data, Results and Equipment fields are only shown when the relevant checkboxes are ticked.

• Test data can be entered, and edited, here, although it is generally entered elsewhere using an electronic version of the daily worksheet to enter data for all specimens tested that day.

• Another test data entry alternative is to use the QEST Crush Station for concrete strength results.

• Data already in the grid, including that entered as part of a concrete test group - such as specimen Type and Age, can also be changed here. 

Structure of Concrete Specimen Grid

Equipment Fields

These fields are made visible by ticking the Equipment checkbox. 

Equipment details for each specimen can be recorded using the following fields.

Specimen Registration Fields

For most specimens, these fields will normally contain all the required information prior to the date of testing, as part of the sample registration process.

Test Data and Results Fields

Some typical examples of this category of fields are shown below.

Details of Fields

Cylinder Specimens

Core Specimens

Similar to the fields used by Cylinder Specimens but with some differences.

Fields not previously described:  

Calculated Fields

• These fields are not visible on the screen but are calculated from data entered into the grid and stored in the database. They are typically used when it becomes time to generate reports and can also affect the appearance of values in the specimen grid.
• When sufficient raw test data is entered, QESTLab calculates the strength and (if required) density results for each specimen and displays these values in the grid.
• Additionally, the following is also calculated: Sample average strength - The average strength 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.

Additional Fields

Additional Fields are defined as fields that are not visible in the Specimen Grid under the default settings but can be added by the user/customer.

Concrete Cylinder Density

The presence/absence of these fields is controlled by the Dens? field. They are only visible if Dens? = Yes.

Site Cured Specimens

When the letter "S" is entered into the Std Cure field of a specimen, the number of days is replaced with the word Site and extra fields, Date Received and Req Str, are added to the specimen grid.

The behavior of some of the other fields is also modified.

• The Date Received field for the site cured specimen is editable. and the required strength (Site Cure Str), set on the sample Mix Data tab, is copied into the Req Str field.
• If a strength result of a site cured specimen is less than either of the required strengths (Req Strength or Site Cure Str), the result is not highlighted in red.
• Regardless of its age, if a site cured specimen meets or exceeds the site cured required strength, the value in the required strength column (Req Str) will be highlighted in green.

In this example Req Strength @ 28 days = 3000 psi and Site Cure Str = 3030 psi

Optional Features

Using the Concrete Sample (US) Screen

Entering Specimen Test Data 

For concrete strength and density testing, the test measurements and results are recorded in the Concrete Specimen Grid.

The process for entering the specimen test data is similar for all specimen types.  An example using the cylindrical compressive test specimens follows: 

Step 1. 

1. If required, tick the Show Equipment box to display the Equipment fields in the grid.
2. Enter equipment items as needed.

Step 2.

1. It is possible that the test data columns will already be visible in the grid.

2. If not, tick the Show Test Data box  to display the test data columns in the worksheet.

Step 3. 

1. If a density result for the specimen is required, The Dens? field should contain "Yes".

Step 4.

1. Select the specimen requiring data entry by clicking on its row in the grid. 

2. Click on the data field to enable entry or editing of that value.

3. Enter the measurements, weight (if required) and load results for each specimen.

   Moving between cells

   • Press Enter or Tab on the keyboard to move from one cell to the next.
   • There is no need to click in each cell using the mouse.

   
   

   Average Diameters

   For how to use average diameters for concrete cylinders, refer to the Concrete Diameter document.

4. The strength and density results (if required) for each specimen will be calculated and displayed in the grid.

Step 5. 

1. Enter the Test Time for each specimen.

2. The age in hours will be calculated and automatically displayed.

Step 6. 

1. Enter a Failure Mode code to reflect the type of fracture observed in the specimen.

2. If a default value was provided, verify that it matches the test result and change if required.
   

Step 7. 

1. Select the QESTLab user or users, who measured and tested the specimen, using the Measured By and Tested By fields.

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