OasisLMS

A well-executed Quality Control program is vital to the success of any precast operation. This Quality Control course will present a number of topics that will build on NPCA’s Quality Control Manual. Attendees will examine concrete on a microscopic level to learn about the different kinds of pores and the hydration process. Coursework covers aggregate gradation analysis, aggregate moistures, hot and cold temperature concreting, testing for mechanical properties and durability, and analyzing trends in test data. Attendees will learn why water-to-cement ratio is so critical to concrete properties and the need for frequent testing to assess water absorption and movement in concrete. Adjustments to batch quantities of constituent materials based on aggregate moisture conditions are reviewed to optimize concrete mixture properties. The Maturity Method will be presented in layman’s terms so that a precaster can accurately assess strength development and timing of manufacturing operations. A scientific calculator is needed for this course and we encourage you to download the handout for each chapter to reference during the exam. 

Completion of PQS I from NPCA or Canadian PQS I from CPCI.

• Explain concepts of porosity and permeability and how they relate to water-cement ratio
• Describe the influence of proper aggregate gradation on the long-term durability of concrete
• Define variability and decrease it by closely monitoring and evaluating trends in material test data
• Explain concepts behind hardened concrete testing methods such as compressive strength testing
• Describe potential durability issues such as carbonation, corrosion of reinforcing and freeze-thaw damage, and explain ways to mitigate these issues
• Demonstrate how to proportion a concrete mixture to achieve desired fresh and hardened properties
• Describe how to make modifications to an existing mix design

Those who obtain and maintain any of the PQS II certificates or the Master Precaster title will not be required to keep their PQS I certification up to date, as those certifications will override PQS I.

The Canadian PQS courses and the NPCA PQS courses are considered equivalent and fully interchangeable. Therefore, you can take the NPCA PQS I and upgrade to Canadian PQS II.

• Ch 1 - Water and Cement
• Ch 2 - Aggregate Properties
• Ch 3 - Durability and Transport Mechanisms
• Ch 4 - Concrete Testing
• Ch 5 - Hot and Cold Temperature Concreting
• Ch 6 – Variability
• Ch 7 – Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
• Ch 8 – Mix Design
• Ch 9 - Developing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Certified Plants

Wayne Kassian is a Principal at Kassian Dyck & Associates, Consulting Engineers in Calgary.

Wayne is a professional engineer with more than 38 years of diverse structural experience in the design of various structures across North America and is very active in the Canadian and US Precast Concrete Institutes.

Wayne is chair of the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s Technical Committee and is a member of PCI’s Technical Activities Council (TAC) overseeing various PCI technical committees on precast and prestressed concrete. Wayne is also a member of Canada’s Concrete Design Code CSA A23.3, is a member of CSA A23.4 Precast Concrete – Materials and Construction. Wayne is a Chapter Editor for the CPCI Design Manual and also the Cement Association of Canada’s Concrete Design Handbook, regarded as Canada’s foremost reference handbook related to the design of concrete structures in Canada.

Wayne is one of Canada’s delegates for the Canadian national group of fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete), is a member of fib’s General Assembly, and participates on fib Commission 6 related to precast concrete prefabrication.

Wayne was awarded the Distinction of Fellow to the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute in 2017 and CPCI Industry Titan in 2021.