Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation

Shwet Vashishtha

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Case Report |

| Peer-Reviewed

Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation

Shwet Vashishtha^*

Published in American Journal of Construction and Building Materials (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 16 February 2024 Accepted: 29 February 2024 Published: 13 March 2024

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This case study evaluates a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for fly ash testing, focusing on the homogeneity, stability, and performance of participating laboratories. The study aims to identify areas for improvement in testing methodologies to enhance the reliability of fly ash analysis. The PTP adheres to international standards, including ISO 13528:2015 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010, for sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The PTP ensures the homogeneity of test samples through meticulous division, testing, and data-driven analysis. The stability of samples is monitored through regular tests at predetermined intervals, with results compared to initial homogeneity tests. The methodology of evaluation involves calculating Z' (z-prime) scores to assess the performance of participant laboratories, with scores within ±2.0 considered satisfactory and scores beyond ±3.0 considered outliers. The results of the proficiency testing reveal variations in the performance of participant laboratories across specific gravity, fineness, compressive strength at 7 days, and soundness by autoclave parameters. While most laboratories demonstrate adherence to expected values, some deviations raise concerns and highlight the need for continuous improvement. Laboratories with deviations are encouraged to evaluate their testing methodologies and address factors contributing to the observed deviations. Overall, the study underscores the importance of proficiency testing in ensuring the quality and consistency of fly ash testing. Continued development and refinement of proficiency testing programs are essential for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in various applications.

Published in	American Journal of Construction and Building Materials (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
Page(s)	1-8
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fly Ash, Proficiency Testing, Quality Assurance, Construction Materials, Standardization

References

[1]	Svegl F., Strupi J. S., Svegl I. G., (2006), “Proficiency testing of chloride content in different types of Portland cement”, Accred Qual Assur (2006) 11: 414-421.
[2]	Kaarls R. et. al. “Laboratory capacity building through the use of metrologically traceable reference values in proficiency testing programmes” Accred Qual Assur (2017) 22: 321–334.
[3]	Coarna M., Guslicov G., Neciu D., Toader M., Stancu C., “Split-Samples Testing Scheme According to EN ISO/CEI 17043 – Case Study on A Certified Fly Ash for Concrete”, Fourth International Proficiency Testing Conference Brasov, Romania (17) 18th − 20th September, 2013.
[4]	PIELERT, J., 1990, October. “Proficiency Testing as a Component of Quality Assurance In Construction Materials Laboratories”. In Test Quality for Construction, Materials and Structures: Proceedings of the International RILEM/ILAC Symposium (Vol. 9, No. E456, p. 60). CRC Press.
[5]	Kotyczka-Moranska, M., et al. "Inter-laboratory proficiency testing of the measurement of gypsum parameters with small numbers of participants." Accreditation and Quality Assurance 25 (2020): 373-381.
[6]	Schmidt Wolfram, et al. "Cement Testing in Africa–Conclusions from the First Africa-Wide Proficiency Testing Scheme." Civil and Environmental Research 4 (2013).
[7]	Jagustyn, Barbara, et al. "Investigation of homogeneity and stability of items for proficiency testing of solid recovered fuels (SRF) analysis." Accreditation and Quality Assurance 22 (2017): 355-360.
[8]	Tsamatsoulis, Dimitris. "Comparing the Robustness of Statistical Estimators of Proficiency Testing Schemes for a Limited Number of Participants." Computation 10.3 (2022): 44.
[9]	IS 1727:1967 Methods of test for pozzolanic materials.
[10]	IS 3812 (Part-1) Pulverized Fuel Ash - Part 1: For Use as Pozzolana in Cement, Cement Mortar and Concrete.
[11]	IS 269:2015 Ordinary Portland Cement – Specification.
[12]	IS 6491: 1972 Methods of sampling fly-ash.
[13]	IS 3535:1986 Methods of Sampling Hydraulic Cement.
[14]	ISO 13528:2015 Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparison.
[15]	ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Conformity Assessment General Requirements for The Competence of Proficiency Testing Providers.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Vashishtha, S. (2024). Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. American Journal of Construction and Building Materials, 8(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Vashishtha, S. Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. Am. J. Constr. Build. Mater. 2024, 8(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Vashishtha S. Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. Am J Constr Build Mater. 2024;8(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11,
  author = {Shwet Vashishtha},
  title = {Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation},
  journal = {American Journal of Construction and Building Materials},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  abstract = {This case study evaluates a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for fly ash testing, focusing on the homogeneity, stability, and performance of participating laboratories. The study aims to identify areas for improvement in testing methodologies to enhance the reliability of fly ash analysis. The PTP adheres to international standards, including ISO 13528:2015 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010, for sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The PTP ensures the homogeneity of test samples through meticulous division, testing, and data-driven analysis. The stability of samples is monitored through regular tests at predetermined intervals, with results compared to initial homogeneity tests. The methodology of evaluation involves calculating Z' (z-prime) scores to assess the performance of participant laboratories, with scores within ±2.0 considered satisfactory and scores beyond ±3.0 considered outliers. The results of the proficiency testing reveal variations in the performance of participant laboratories across specific gravity, fineness, compressive strength at 7 days, and soundness by autoclave parameters. While most laboratories demonstrate adherence to expected values, some deviations raise concerns and highlight the need for continuous improvement. Laboratories with deviations are encouraged to evaluate their testing methodologies and address factors contributing to the observed deviations. Overall, the study underscores the importance of proficiency testing in ensuring the quality and consistency of fly ash testing. Continued development and refinement of proficiency testing programs are essential for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in various applications.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation
AU  - Shwet Vashishtha
Y1  - 2024/03/13
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
T2  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
JF  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
JO  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-0057
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
AB  - This case study evaluates a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for fly ash testing, focusing on the homogeneity, stability, and performance of participating laboratories. The study aims to identify areas for improvement in testing methodologies to enhance the reliability of fly ash analysis. The PTP adheres to international standards, including ISO 13528:2015 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010, for sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The PTP ensures the homogeneity of test samples through meticulous division, testing, and data-driven analysis. The stability of samples is monitored through regular tests at predetermined intervals, with results compared to initial homogeneity tests. The methodology of evaluation involves calculating Z' (z-prime) scores to assess the performance of participant laboratories, with scores within ±2.0 considered satisfactory and scores beyond ±3.0 considered outliers. The results of the proficiency testing reveal variations in the performance of participant laboratories across specific gravity, fineness, compressive strength at 7 days, and soundness by autoclave parameters. While most laboratories demonstrate adherence to expected values, some deviations raise concerns and highlight the need for continuous improvement. Laboratories with deviations are encouraged to evaluate their testing methodologies and address factors contributing to the observed deviations. Overall, the study underscores the importance of proficiency testing in ensuring the quality and consistency of fly ash testing. Continued development and refinement of proficiency testing programs are essential for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in various applications.

VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Shwet Vashishtha

National Test House (NR), Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, India

Contact Email

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Vashishtha, S. (2024). Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. American Journal of Construction and Building Materials, 8(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Vashishtha, S. Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. Am. J. Constr. Build. Mater. 2024, 8(1), 1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Vashishtha S. Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation. Am J Constr Build Mater. 2024;8(1):1-8. doi: 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11,
  author = {Shwet Vashishtha},
  title = {Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation},
  journal = {American Journal of Construction and Building Materials},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-8},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajcbm.20240801.11},
  abstract = {This case study evaluates a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for fly ash testing, focusing on the homogeneity, stability, and performance of participating laboratories. The study aims to identify areas for improvement in testing methodologies to enhance the reliability of fly ash analysis. The PTP adheres to international standards, including ISO 13528:2015 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010, for sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The PTP ensures the homogeneity of test samples through meticulous division, testing, and data-driven analysis. The stability of samples is monitored through regular tests at predetermined intervals, with results compared to initial homogeneity tests. The methodology of evaluation involves calculating Z' (z-prime) scores to assess the performance of participant laboratories, with scores within ±2.0 considered satisfactory and scores beyond ±3.0 considered outliers. The results of the proficiency testing reveal variations in the performance of participant laboratories across specific gravity, fineness, compressive strength at 7 days, and soundness by autoclave parameters. While most laboratories demonstrate adherence to expected values, some deviations raise concerns and highlight the need for continuous improvement. Laboratories with deviations are encouraged to evaluate their testing methodologies and address factors contributing to the observed deviations. Overall, the study underscores the importance of proficiency testing in ensuring the quality and consistency of fly ash testing. Continued development and refinement of proficiency testing programs are essential for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in various applications.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Proficiency Testing Program for Fly Ash: Ensuring Quality and Consistency Through Standardized Evaluation
AU  - Shwet Vashishtha
Y1  - 2024/03/13
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
T2  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
JF  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
JO  - American Journal of Construction and Building Materials
SP  - 1
EP  - 8
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-0057
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcbm.20240801.11
AB  - This case study evaluates a Proficiency Testing Program (PTP) for fly ash testing, focusing on the homogeneity, stability, and performance of participating laboratories. The study aims to identify areas for improvement in testing methodologies to enhance the reliability of fly ash analysis. The PTP adheres to international standards, including ISO 13528:2015 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010, for sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The PTP ensures the homogeneity of test samples through meticulous division, testing, and data-driven analysis. The stability of samples is monitored through regular tests at predetermined intervals, with results compared to initial homogeneity tests. The methodology of evaluation involves calculating Z' (z-prime) scores to assess the performance of participant laboratories, with scores within ±2.0 considered satisfactory and scores beyond ±3.0 considered outliers. The results of the proficiency testing reveal variations in the performance of participant laboratories across specific gravity, fineness, compressive strength at 7 days, and soundness by autoclave parameters. While most laboratories demonstrate adherence to expected values, some deviations raise concerns and highlight the need for continuous improvement. Laboratories with deviations are encouraged to evaluate their testing methodologies and address factors contributing to the observed deviations. Overall, the study underscores the importance of proficiency testing in ensuring the quality and consistency of fly ash testing. Continued development and refinement of proficiency testing programs are essential for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in various applications.

VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download