- Author
- Pielert, J. H.
- Title
- Proficiency Testing as a Component of Quality Assurance in Construction Materials Laboratories.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Book or Conf
- RILEM/ILAC. Test Quality for Construction, Materials and Structures. October 15-17, 1990, Chapman and Hall, New York, St. Remy Les Chavreuse, France, Fickelson, M., Editors, 60-70 p., 1990
- Keywords
- cements | concretes | construction | interlaboratory | laboratory | precision | proficiency | tests
- Abstract
- Proficiency testing is a procedure for using results generated in interlaboratory test comparisons for the purpose of assessing the technical competence of participating testing laboratories. This gives users of laboratory service confidence that a testing laboratory is capable of obtaining reliable results. Interlaboratory testing involves the organization, performance and evaluation of tests on the same or similar materials by two or more different laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions. Interlaboratory testing may also be used for checking the individual performance of laboratory staff, evaluating the effectiveness of a test method, and determining characteristics of a material or product. Programs in the United States which use proficiency testing to evaluate laboratory performance are discussed along with international programs which have been identified by RILEM Technical Committee 91-Cement Reference Laboratories. The U. S. construction Materials Reference Laboratories which distributes over 6000 samples of 13 different construction materials is highlighted, along with ASTM standardization activities related to proficiency and interlaboratory testing.