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Title: Microcomputer Application for Roller Compacted Concrete Quality Assurance

Author(s): R. Drahushak-Crow

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 98

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 215-232

Keywords: concrete dams; data acquisition; microcomputers; mix proportioning; quality assurance; quality control; roller-compacted concrete; tests; General

DOI: 10.14359/3557

Date: 3/3/1987

Abstract:
Microcomputer applications are continually expanding into new fields, including the area of concrete construction. The dissemination of information concerning these applications promotes their growth and development and benefits the construction industry. When the Bureau of Reclamation began planning Upper Stillwater Dam, the largest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam to date in the U.S., due consideration was given to the management of the myriad of concrete test data that would be generated during this rapid method of construction. Using a microcomputer system to facilitate proper treatment of these data would serve several important purposes: 1) provide an overall view of quality control of the RCC, and act as a quality assurance tool; 2) provide a quick method for updating mix design quantities based on variations in materials; and 3) provide access to the data for a comprehensive review of this state-of-the-art method of construction. Both the programming structure and the capabilities of the program will be discussed. The qualifications for developing an RCC quality control system required that the program be user friendly so that it could be readily used by construction inspectors and laboratory technicians. The system provides record keeping for all RCC tests and RCC materials tests, including concrete unit weight, concrete consistency measurements by vibrating table, nuclear density readings, cylinder compressive brake strengths, and aggregate gradations and moisture contents. The program also calculates adjusted mix proportions based on moisture content and clean separation of the aggregate. The RCC quality control system is written in dBASE III, and the host is an IBM-XT microcomputer. The system is connected to a mainframe computer in Denver via modem so that data can be periodically reviewed by designers and for long-term storage.