A first pan-African proficiency testing scheme

Figure: BAM

Berlin excursion during the final meeting of the participants

Figure: BAM

Countries of origin of the laboratories that participated in the proficiency testing scheme (marked in light green)

Figure: BAM

Flow chart of a typical proficiency testing scheme setup

Figure: BAM

Construction site visit during the kick-off meeting of the laboratories participating in the proficiency testing scheme

Figure: BAM

An open seminar at BAM during the final meeting offered opportunities for participants and the public to discuss quality issues and the cement markets in Africa

Figure: BAM

Materials supplied to each participant: standard sand, cement and a set of mortar prisms, which were cast, cured and dried at BAM before

Figure: BAM

Received results per test method in percent of the possible 21 results

Figure: BAM

Coefficients of variation depending on the test method and comparison between results obtained under conditions fully compliant with standards and under deviating conditions

Figure: BAM

Compressive strength results of the mortar prisms prepared at BAM versus compressive strength results of prisms prepared in the laboratories

Figure: BAM

The durability, quality and safety of building materials are becoming increasingly important in African countries. 26 laboratories on the continent participated in a round-robin test to demonstrate their proficiency in the testing of cement.

In many parts of Africa, the economies are rising at an increasing pace, and optimism is spreading all over the continent. Along with the economic upswing comes the need for construction, which particularly offers growing opportunities for the cement and concrete sectors. At the moment, the African cement infrastructure is quite complex. Apart from Northern Africa and South Africa in particular, cement plants are scarce, resulting in highly unstable cement pricing. Clinker and cement are imported from overseas and typically determined by the lowest price; as a result, the countries of origin...