The NRMCA, which represents producers of ready mixed concrete,
will launch a new course, Improving Concrete Quality, that is intended
for concrete producers, ingredient material suppliers, engineers,
testing labs and contractors.

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has announced the launch of a new one-day course, Improving Concrete Quality, which is intended for concrete producers, ingredient material suppliers, engineers, testing labs and contractors. Improving Concrete Quality, a new book authored by one of the course instructors, and other NRMCA resources will provide the basic content for the course.

This course 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 thereby improve concrete quality. Basic statistical concepts will be presented to measure and monitor quality and to recognize when action is needed.

Other key topics include 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 do.

Producers will learn readily implementable steps to manage variability and attain a more consistent product; Ingredient suppliers will learn how material variation affects concrete variation; Engineers will learn the opportunity for improving quality through specifications; Testing lab professionals will learn to measure and improve testing quality.

Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will earn 8 professional development hours, a certificate of completion and credits toward NRMCA's STEPS program. Course instructors are Kevin MacDonald, Ph.D., FACI, Beton Consulting Engineers LLC, Karthik Obla, Ph.D., P.E. and Colin Lobo, Ph.D., P.E., each at NRMCA. Click here for more information.

The course will be offered on Wednesday, October 15, in Silver Spring, Md. For more information about the NRMCA, please visit nrmca.org.

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