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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Execute laboratory testing pertaining to soils and gravels 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116586  Execute laboratory testing pertaining to soils and gravels 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Civil Engineering Construction 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  20 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners who are assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to demonstrate competence in the executing standard laboratory testing pertaining to soils and gravels used in the Construction Industry.

This unit standard will enable learners to identify hazards and protective measures during soil and gravel testing, prepare soil and gravel samples for testing, identify and apply the required apparatus during testing, take readings and record these.

The unit standard contributes to the overall competence required of the construction materials tester.

The laboratory test results are used for quality control purposes during the construction and manufacturing processes as well as for final acceptance of the finished products.

Its contribution to socio-economic transformation is that learners would be able to undergo RPL-assessment and thereby receive recognition for previous learning and experience. The employability and career prospects of learners can therefore be enhanced by this qualification.
Previously disadvantaged individuals with this qualification can also progress to the level 4 qualification - this will enable them to start their own businesses supplying a construction materials testing service - a process that will accelerate economic transformation and give economic empowerment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
NQF Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy competencies 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
The typical scope of this unit standard is:
The following Standard methods of testing road construction materials - TMH 1 (Technical Methods for Highways.)
  • Method A1(a) - The wet preparation and sieve analysis of gravel, sand and soil samples.
  • Method A1(b) - The dry preparation and sieve analysis of gravel, sand and soil samples
  • Method A2. - The determination of the liquid limit of soils by means of the flow curve method.
  • Method A3 - The determination of the plastic limit and plasticity index of soils.
  • Method A5 -The determination of the percentage of material passing a 0.075 mm sieve in a soil sample.
  • Method A6 - The determination of the grain size distribution in soils by means of a hydrometer.
  • Method A7 - The determination of the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of gravel, soil and sand.
  • Method A8 - The determination of the California Bearing Ratio of untreated soils and gravels.
  • Method A9 - The determination of the California Bearing Ration of lime-stabilized soils and gravels.
  • Method A10(a) -The determination of the in-place dry density of soil or gravel by the sand replacement method.
  • Method A10(b) - The determination of the in-place dry density and moisture content of soils and gravels by nuclear methods.
  • Method A11T -Tentative method for the determination of the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of graded crushed stone and cohesionless sand by means of vibration compaction.
  • Method A12T - Tentative method for the determination of the relative density of soils.
  • Method A14 - The determination of the unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soils, gravels and sands.
  • Appendix to Method A14 - Procedure for the making of specimens for the determination of the unconfined compressive strength of stabilized soils, gravels and sands.
  • Method A15(a) - The determination of the cement or lime content of stabilized materials by means of the Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate ( EDTA ) test.
  • Method A15(b) - The determination of the cement or lime content of cement-stabilized or lime-stabilized materials by means of a flame photometer.
  • Method A15 (c) - The determination of the lime content of lime -stabilized materials using ammonium chloride.
  • Method A15(d) -The determination of the cement or lime content of stabilized materials by means of the back titration ( acid ) method.
  • Method A16T Tentative method for the determination of the indirect tensile strength of stabilized materials.
  • Method A19 - The wet -dry durability test for cement -treated materials.
  • Appendix to Method A19 - Procedure for the making of specimens of soil-cement for the wet-dry durability test.
  • Method A20 - The electrometric determination of the pH value of a soil suspension.
  • Method A21T - Tentative method for the determination of the conductivity of a saturated soil paste and water.
  • Method A22T - Tentative method for the quantitative determination of acid-soluble sulphates in soils and aggregates by means of a nephelometer.

    Aggregate testing:
  • Method B13 - The determination of the fineness modulus of fine aggregates.
  • Method B15 - The determination of the dry bulk density, apparent relative density and water absorption of material passing the 4,75 mm sieve.
  • Method B19 - The determination of the sand equivalent of aggregates 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan the execution of the testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Resources are identified as required in standard methods of testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resources are obtained from the laboratory store in terms of organizational policies. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare sampled material for testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Instructions requesting laboratory test are matched with labels attached to bags / containers holding material samples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Material samples are prepared according to standard methods of testing. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Execute the laboratory tests. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The apparatus are prepared / calibrated according to the standard methods of testing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Occupational Health and Safety hazards are identified and suitable action to protect staff or eliminate the hazards has been taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The laboratory test are executed according to standard methods of testing. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Record and store test readings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Laboratory test readings are recorded on suitably prepared stationary in line with details contained in standard methods of testing manuals 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recorded results are stored in laboratory filing system. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant - ETQA for this unit standard or a similar unit standard at a higher NQF Level
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant - ETQA
  • The relevant - ETQA, or other ETQA's who have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with relevant -ETQA, would be responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    I can understand and explain:
  • Preparing sampled materials for testing for soil and gravel construction materials.
  • Executing the laboratory tests for soil and gravel construction materials.
  • Recording and storing test readings for soil and gravel construction materials. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Plan the execution of the testing
  • Resources are identified as required in standard methods of testing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Prepare sampled material for testing
  • Instructions requesting laboratory test are matched with labels attached to bags / containers holding material samples. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Employ self management

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Prepare sampled material for testing
  • Material samples are prepared according to standard methods of testing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Manage information

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Record and store test readings
  • Laboratory test readings are recorded on suitably prepared stationary in line with details contained in standard methods of testing manuals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Record and store test readings
  • Laboratory test readings are recorded on suitably prepared stationary in line with details contained in standard methods of testing manuals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Demonstrate scientific and technological competence

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Execute the laboratory tests
  • The apparatus are prepared / calibrated according to the standard methods of testing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand Contextual world-systems

    Evident in the following specific outcomes and assessment criteria:

    Record and store test readings
  • Recorded results are stored in laboratory filing system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49017   National Certificate: Construction Materials Testing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.