The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) is offering a new course, Improving Concrete Quality, on January 17 in Eagan, Minnesota. A book by the same name that was written by one of the instructors, as well as other NRMCA resources, will provide the basic content for the course, which will delve into quantifying tangible and intangible benefits due to improved quality. It will discuss variability associated with concrete ingredient materials, manufacturing, and testing — means to measure and improve concrete quality. Basic statistical concepts will be presented to measure and monitor quality and recognize when action is needed.
The course will include other key topics, such as recognizing abnormal material variation, tracking and improving batching accuracy including mixing water, internal testing, identifying non standard testing and initial curing, essential elements of a quality management system, internal audits, and tests a concrete producer should conduct. It will benefit concrete producers, concrete ingredient material suppliers, contractors, and testing laboratories, as well as design professionals.
Handouts worth more than $500 will be given to attendees during the class, including the following:
- Improving Concrete Quality book;
- Presentation print outs;
- NRMCA QC Manual Section 1, Ready Mixed Concrete Quality Control Guide;
- Quality Management System for Ready Mixed Concrete Companies CD;
- NRMCA Quality Award, Survey and Certification Information;
- Variables that Influence Concrete Compressive Strength;
- Code and Standards Requirements for Acceptance Testing;
- NRMCA/ASCC Pre-Construction Checklist;
- Related Technology in Practice topics; and
- Related Specification in Practice topics and P2P Presentation.
Kevin A. MacDonald, FACI, President and Principal, Beton Consulting Engineers LLC, with expertise in the production and performance of concrete; and Karthik Obla, Ph.D., P.E., FACI, vice president, Technical Services at NRMCA.
The course is part of NRMCA’s Seminars, Training and Education Programs (STEPS). It provides 8 credits toward earning a Certified Concrete Professional designation in the Concrete Technology career track. The registration fee is $295 for NRMCA members/DOT and $395 for non-members.
For more information, contact Karen Bean, NRMCA Engineering & Operations Manager Karen Bean at (240) 485-1168 or email her at [email protected].
