Articles

Reinforcing the concrete structures

Part II: Current scenario on quality of reinforcement bars used in Caribbean region vis-à-vis international

It is a well known fact that steel rebars are embedded in concrete structures to improve their modulus of elasticity and strength. Steel bars with proper chemistry, microstructure and surface treatments impart significant improvement in the above properties of the concrete. During the last two decades a phenomenal change in quality of reinforcement bars has taken place. Let us examine whether our (Caribbean regions) changes are in tune with the rest of the world.

Keeping in view the economical aspects, durability, endurance to natural calamities (earthquakes, tsunami, hurricanes etc) and concerns for the carbon emission, significant modifications are being suggested and implemented on standards and code of practices for different sectors. The construction sector is not an exception to this. A survey on trend of use of reinforcement bars (rebars) in construction sectors of Caribbean countries indicates that in majority of the cases plain / deformed steel bars conforming to the ASTM 615A are being used. The steel rebars conforming to this standard are suitable for use in least demanding applications. The Caribbean region is very prone to seismic and hurricanes activities and therefore needs special precautions during erection of their buildings, bridges and other structures. To cope up with these natural disasters, ASTM and many standards of other countries came out with specific standards for manufacture and applications of rebars in seismic prone areas. ASTM A706/A706M is the standard for rebars for use in seismic prone areas. Let us examine the difference between ASTM A615/A615M (currently being used in Caribbean regions) and ASTM A706/A706M (improved version on rebars) standards:

ASTM A615 / A615M (420 grade)

ASTM A706 / A706M (420 grade)

Steel chemistry

%P (Maximum) 0.06

Steel Chemistry % Maximum)

C=0.30; Mn =1.50; P= 0.035; S=0.045; Si=0.50

Mechanical properties

Min.

YS = 420 MPa

TS = 620 MPa

% Elongation = 9

Bend test requirements =3.5d-5d

Mechanical properties

YS Min. Max.

420MPa 540 MPa

TS 550 MPa -

% Elongation 10-14

Bend test requirements =3d-4d

The above table shows that the chemistry and mechanical properties of rebars are more strictly controlled for A706 / A706M than A615/A615M. These properties greatly affect the weldability and endurance to seismic / hurricane activities.

The majority of the countries of the world have now switched over to rebars conforming to ASTM A706 /A706M for designing of their civil structures. This standard ensures improved endurance to natural disasters, improved weldability as well as improved resistance to corrosion and pitting. A controlled chemistry of steel can be achieved only when steels are produced by blast furnace route or by electric arc furnace method after controlled purification of the molten metal. These methods of production of steel rebars reduce the casting defects such as voids, inclusions and tramp elements namely sulfur, phosphorus etc . Survey indicates that the rebars rolled from the ingots produced from iron scraps and melted in induction furnaces are very common in application in Trinidad and Tobago. The cost of production of rebars, by this route, is considerably cheaper than the other methods and is available at lower prices. Unfortunately the rebars produced by induction furnace route have many defects such as nonstandard chemistry, inclusions, and voids etc and difficult to meet the standard specifications. The general public unaware of these facts go for low cost rebars easily available in the market. Use of such rebars in columns, roof castings, bridges and foundations are big concerns for safety and durability.

Stay tuned for the next part of this series which will focus on the role of good quality rebars in improving the durability of civil constructions and their endurance to natural disasters.

For more information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via telephone at 299-0210 ext 5687

Reinforcing the concrete structures

Part I: How effective are our reinforcements?

What you need to know about steel rebars

Amongst the vast numbers of man-made invented composites, the reinforced concrete comprising of cement, water, sand, gravel and steel, perhaps is a composite material that had maximum impact in revolutionizing the quality of life of human being. After curing, the concrete attains appreciably high strength in compression but remains very poor in tension, flexure, shear and torsion. It was an accidental discovery when a French gardener named Joseph Monier in 1867 observed that a phenomenal improvement in durability and strength of his flower pots took place after iron nails were embedded in castings made by Portland cement, sand and water. This discovery led to a series of developments in designing of rebars to achieve stronger and longer lasting concrete structures. It was a long journey for the currently popular TMT steel rebars to reach to its optimum properties imparting improved life to concrete structures. Now TMT rebars are used all over the world for erection of bridges, flyovers, high and low rising buildings, pavements, concrete roads, canals, dams etc. These rebars are produced by quenching and tempering the process having composite microstructure with ductile core area and harder outer rim. This dual structure imparts strength as well as ductility to TMT rebars. They are free from any distortion of crystals of steels and therefore are more resistant to corrosion with desired ratio of tensile and yield strengths. The absolute carbon content is also kept at lower side in such types of rebars which improves their weldability.

Figure 1 : Cross section of TMT bars is composite microstructure. The core area is soft pearlite – ferrite and the outer rim is harder tempered martensite microstructure

Unfortunately production process of TMT type of rebars needs special mills with very strict control of quenching and tempering parameters. This increases their cost of production. Many companies still produce rebars without quenching and tempering treatments and market them in many countries. It is not possible to differentiate between TMT and non TMT bars just by looking from naked eye. The users unaware about the quality of such rebars use them in their construction work. As shown in the following figure 2, both TMT and normal bars (non TMT) have ribs and it is not possible for consumers to differentiate between them. It can be differentiated only after looking in to the rim formed on the cross section of rebars. TMT bars develop a circular rim around the cross section but non TMTs do not exhibit such a rim.

Figure 2 : Digital photographs of CTD, TMT and non TMT bars

How to find out whether the rebars are TMT or non TMT

It is very simple. Cut a small piece of the bar. Grind its cross section area on emery paper to remove scratches. Dip the cross section in acidified solution of alcohol for 30 seconds (98% alcohol + 2% nitric acid). Remove the bar from the solution and let them get dried. If a circular ring appears along the periphery of its cross section, it is TMT bar. The photograph of cross section of TMT bar after testing is shown in the above figure 2.

Part II of this series of write up will describe the “Caribbean vis-à-vis international scenario on use of rebars for reinforcement of concrete structures”

Gaining a Competitive Edge: Entrepreneurship and Sports

Business and sports share many common features. The familiar “born or made” debate resonates for both Olympians and entrepreneurs. There are also unyielding obstacles despite talent or skill: a 5ft tall player will not make the NBA Basketball team.

Undoubtedly, an Olympian’s mindset is very different from that of a casual afternoon jogger. Not only do they both want very different outcomes – winning an Olympic medal versus exercise or weight loss – but it is reflected in their mindsets which drive their decisions and actions. One is hungry for ultimate success and remains fixated, maybe even obsessed, on being the absolute best and continues to train and show up for practice, day-in, day-out, sore muscles be damned. The other can opt out of afternoon jogging without pangs of guilt, if the weather is not conducive or some other activity takes precedence.

So too, entrepreneurs differ from a casual hobbyist who may dabble in an occasional commercial transaction at a craft market. An entrepreneur’s mindset and motivators are very different from that of a “wantpreneur,” and allow passion and perseverance to persist.

In the spirit of the 2016 Rio Olympics, the lens of sports rebounds with metaphors and lessons which can be applied in gaining a competitive edge in entrepreneurship:

Quadrathlon

Like the 400 meter individual medley, a combination of four different swimming styles – butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle – swum by one swimmer, a quadrathlon is an endurance multisport with four sports in one. It consists of swimming, kayaking, cycling and running and requires an insane amount of endurance, power, technique and skill to ably compete at a world class level. It also requires a combination of muscles stretched beyond the 100-meter dash or an Olympic marathon.

In business, start-up founders must be able to wear multiple hats and understand all aspects of the start-up’s operations for it to function smoothly. Even when competitors may be seemingly edging ahead from the pack, carefully managing pace for the long haul is crucial, one step at a time despite encroaching muscle fatigue.

Gymnastics

Practise, Practise, Practise and more Practise! At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas scored a historic victory in becoming the first African American to win gold in the individual all-round event. She also won a team gold medal for the U.S. at the same Summer Olympic event. Her formal gymnastics training began at 6 years old and at age 16, with an insatiable hunger for success, Gabby went from underdog to Olympian. On the road to Rio Olympics, she has worked on a new vault and new beam and floor routines. Her muscles are stronger.

In business, you cannot build muscles if someone else does the workout. An entrepreneur begins to forge a competitive advantage through practise, sacrifice, hard knocks and hard work. At age 14, when Gabby moved away from her hometown and family to pursue training with a world-renowned Olympic trainer, she was aligning herself to be trained by among the best in her field. By staying fully committed to getting better and showing up on time, comfort zones expanded and mental barriers injecting self-doubt began to chip away. The strongest performers harness a clear stillness of mind despite the distraction and noise of the sport arena or business landscape.

4X100 Meter Relay Race

Relay is a team sport, and success in the 4 X 100 meter relay race balances proper techniques with strategy. It is as much a skill event (fine-tuned through practice drills) as a speed event (timing the exchange). A strong relay team will also have trained substitutes, to fill any spot in the relay should a runner be injured, and preferably one who is trained to receive the baton in the right hand, and one who is trained to receive it in the left.

The business of entrepreneurship is a team activity. Even if there is a single founder or two or three co-founders, a company’s net worth is also determined by the strength of its network, measured in dollars and sense (knowledge and skills). A team of advisors, mentors and employees are at the nucleus of a network of:

 Supply chain partners: to buffer against disruptions in the supply of raw materials

 Freelancers: to enable a business to provide on-demand services, ramping up or scaling down operations relatively quickly

 Specialists: to provide deep functional expertise in particular functions

 Generalists: to apply knowledge and aptitudes to a variety of different fields

Timing and team composition (network) are key differentiators in enabling a relatively decent product / service platform to outperform a competing product / service.

A bad choice of a co-founder or a member of your team may (and probably will) bury your business in a matter of months. Just like the 4 X 100 meter relay, despite best efforts, one member of a small team who does not pull his weight will drag down all others.

Entrepreneurs find solutions and implement them. In so doing, we help design a world of change. At CARIRI’s signature Business Hatchery Programme, we support and energize early-stage entrepreneurs to grow their business, through group training and customized individual business coaching. Our Business Hatchery Food and Beverage Programme (5 weeks duration) will launch on 3 September 2016.

For more information please contact 299-0209 ext 2661 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Apply online: http://www.cedcariri.com/index.php/hatchery#thehatchery

3 ways calibration can affect your profits in this “recession”

ONLY THAT WHICH IS MEASURED CAN BE IMPROVED

While our country seeks for ways to bear this economic downturn, companies will have to find efficient ways of maximizing profits while reducing expenses. Transportation, industry, trade - everything our economic world revolves around is affected by measurement. A price is attributed to a quantity of goods when traded or used.

What measures that quantity? The answer is ‘some piece of equipment or instrument’. Is this equipment an array of impeccably flawless machines always correctly quantifying amounts? The answer is ‘No’.

Equipment and instruments need to be serviced, validated, calibrated and kept in check. Calibration is about quality control, proper measurement and knowing every detail about quantifying your product and service. Calibration is the key to stepping ahead of the competition and maintaining a good brand.

What is Calibration?

A calibration is an operation which establishes a relation between values indicated by a measuring instrument and a known measurement standard. The result of a calibration is uncertainty – the range in which you can expect your measurements to deviate. A calibration should not be confused with adjustment of a measuring system, often mistakenly called “self-calibration”, nor with verification of calibration. A calibration is not just a mere comparison between a known and an unknown but a scientific calculation itself.

If instruments are not calibrated routinely they can ‘drift’ due to environmental effects such as temperature, pressure, dust, etc. Thus its inaccuracy of measurement will increase over time and will become unreliable. Here are 3 ways in which calibration can affect your profits.

1) Inaccurate equipment – profit/losses, inefficiencies

In a production factory type environment, equipment which is not properly calibrated can lead to large energy and product losses. For example in a bottled water production facility, if a piece of equipment which fills water in bottles is overfilling the bottles, a few milliliters of water is going to be wasted each time a water bottle is filled, eventually adding up to liters and hundreds of gallons of water being wasted each day. Not only is this a loss in profit for the company, it’s also bad for the environment as most bottled water comes from naturally occurring spring water. Proper measurement and calibration can ensure that water is filled to the correct level each time, leading to no wastage of water. Similarly in an environment where powdered milk is being packaged by weight, a lack of calibration can lead to the customer getting more milk per pack or less milk in some cases. This can lead to either the customer or the company losing money. In like environments, similar problems can occur in product packaging and weighing. These problems can easily be controlled by routinely calibrating equipment to track drift.

2)Quality assurance – accreditation

Once a company is producing reports to clients which contain measurements, the validity of those measurements presents a risk to the client. If that client cannot quantify how much error is associated with tests being done, they are unsure of how that affects a product or processes they control. For a company to become ISO certified and especially ‘ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management’, the standard requires that for all equipment to produce valid results, they must be routinely calibrated and verified. Specifically this is found in ISO 9001-Clause 7.6, control of monitoring and measuring equipment. This must also be done at regular intervals so that control can be established over results being produced. If your company is moving toward ISO 9002:2015 accreditation then calibration of equipment will become key to minimizing risk to customers.

3)Metrology Act of Trinidad and Tobago

Proclaimed on the 1^st of May 2015 this act defines the International System of Units (the SI Unit) to be the primary system of measurement in Trinidad and Tobago. It sets out the specific units that should be used when trading for example; the kilogram for measurement of mass and Kelvin for temperature. It states the Bureau of Standards can appoint inspectors of Metrology for proper administration of the act. These inspectors will also have the power to request documents describing the accuracy of equipment being used for trade and also detain that measuring device or goods which he believes has violated that act (Act No. 18 of 2004, Page 349). Though not fully enforced at this time, accurate and precise measurement backed by well maintained equipment for the purposes of trade will not only be best practice but enforced by law. The principle behind this act is for all trade to take place at a point where each party received the same value for money.

As companies strive to become more competitive, costs and quality of work will become increasingly important. It is only when a parameter is measured, can it be controlled and improved. Calibration of instruments helps track drift, minimize it and ensure the validity of results produced by any equipment or processes. Without accurate data you cannot have confidence in service.

For more information about calibration and how it can help you, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 299-0210 ext 5048. We are always willing and able to find the best possible solutions for your calibration needs.

WORKPLACE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND YOU

Do you suffer from one or more of the following symptoms when you are at work: headaches, lethargy, coughing, sneezing, itchy skin, throat, eyes and nose, skin rashes, increased frequency of sinus and asthma attacks? Do you experience these symptoms only at work? Do they disappear after leaving the building? Then the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in your workplace may be causing you to be sick.

On average people spend about 90% of their time indoors. International studies have found that indoor air pollutantsare generally two to five times greater than outdoor pollution levels.

You are more likely to get sick from pollution in your home and office than from pollution in the air outside. In fact the American College of Allergists has found that 50% of all illnesses are caused by indoor air pollution.

This article focuses on some common IAQ Questions and Answers.

What is Indoor Air Quality?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines IAQ as the temperature, humidity, ventilation and chemical or biological contaminants of the air inside a building. IAQ refers to the quality of the air inside buildings as represented by concentrations of pollutants and thermal (temperature and relative humidity) conditions that affect the health, comfort and performance of occupants. The growing proliferation of chemical pollutants in consumer and commercial products, the tendency toward tighter building envelopes and reduced ventilation to save energy, and pressures to defer maintenance and other building services to reduce costs may foster IAQ problems.

How do you know if the indoor air quality in your workplace is poor?

Poor indoor air quality in buildings is usually characterized by complaints by 20% or more of occupants of various symptoms that occur for more than two (2) weeks, and who experience rapid relief after leaving the building.

What are the causes of poor indoor air quality?

Poor indoor air quality can be caused by numerous factors some of which are:

Poor ventilation due to improper airflow and continuous re-circulation of the indoor air. This is usually evidenced by the feeling of sleepiness and lethargy particularly in the afternoon and usually occurs in buildings with split air-conditioning units only.
Lack of adequate air filtration of the circulated air. This is usually evidenced by materials coming through supply vents in offices and is caused by the absence of air filters on air-conditioning equipment.
Poorly maintained air-conditioning systems are frequent sources of biological substances that can be inhaled, leading to breathing problems. Such systems are usually evidenced by water collecting on ceiling tiles due to condensation on the ducting, water collecting in drain pans, dirty air filters and the occurrence of a musty odor. Mold growth may be occurring if the ceiling tile turns black. White growth on furniture may also be mold particularly if there is a temperature and relative humidity problem in a building.
The improper use of cleaning chemicals, freshly painted walls, new furniture and activities such as construction works can also lead to indoor air quality problems.

What symptoms are often linked to poor indoor air quality?

It is common for most people to report one or more following health issues:

Dryness and irritation of eyes, nose, throat and skin
Headache
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Hypersensitivity and allergies
Sinus congestion
Coughing and sneezing
Dizziness
Nausea

What can be done to improve the indoor air quality in office buildings?

Attendance to the challenges of IAQ should be done on a systematic basis. Too often ad hoc responses are the order of the day. By introducing outdoor air into buildings, specifically, air that is properly filtered and cooled before it is mixed with circulated air this can improve conditions. For places like Port of Spain, a closing mechanism should be installed on outdoor air intakes which prevent smoke and odors from fires, from entering the building.

Companies can also try the installation of air filters with a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of eight on air conditioning unit’s results in proper filtration which can remove many contaminants that can cause people to become sick.

Lastly, do not conduct vapor/gas and dust releasing activities such as painting, duct-cleaning, sanding etc. when buildings are occupied. These activities should be done when the building is vacant to allow the entire premises to be properly ventilated afterwards.

What should you do if you think the indoor air quality in your building is poor?

Persons who suspect their building has poor IAQ can start by following the above steps. Additional measures include ventilating the building by opening windows and doors once the building is located away from major vehicular traffic and any other potential gas and dust releasing activity and conducting an indoor air quality assessment. IAQ assessments should be conducted once every year as part of an annual risk assessment or when major changes to the buildings layout and processes occur.

Why should I conduct an indoor air quality Assessment?

Understanding and controlling common indoor pollutants can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns. Air sampling can help with this by determining the quality of the indoor air through monitoring for a range of pollutants and comparing them to acceptable limits set by reputable organizations. An indoor air quality assessment predominantly includes testing for gases, dust and mold.

Why should I use CARIRI’s IAQ services?

CARIRI has positioned itself as a premier technology Institute based on service quality. Quality is a hallmark of the services provided to clients in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and extra regional markets. As part of its commitment to providing the highest quality services, CARIRI has established several quality management systems that work together to maintain the Institute’s overall high quality standards such as:

ISO 9001:2008

In1999,CARIRI received ISO 9001 Certification and became the first laboratory- based Institute in the region to be ISO Certified. The Registrar for CARIRI’s ISO 9001 Certification is Société Généralede Surveillance – International Certification Services(SGS.ICS). Each year surveillance visits areconducted as part of the certification programme.

ISO 17025:2005

In 1998,the Institute’s laboratories received international accreditation under the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and became the first laboratory in the region to receive such a ccreditation. Three years later, in 2001, the Institute received ISO17025 Certification. This was a major achievement, being the first organization outside of Europe to receive such certification. CARIRI has changed its ISO 17025 Certification body to the International Accreditation Service(IAS)of the United States.

Along with our other quality certifications, CARIRI is also STOW certified.

CARIRI also has a multi-disciplinary team with extensive experience and a wide range of skills to meet the needs of the client. The team is headed by an Environmental Specialist who is supported by a cadre of professional and technical staff that are Council-Certified Environmental Consultants accredited by the American Council of Accredited Certification (ACAC) and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) which is the most prestigious certification specific to Indoor Air Quality.

Some of the services offered by CARIRI in the area of Indoor Air Quality include but are not limited to:

IAQ Testing & assessments
Ventilation systems inspections
Microbial IAQ testing
Noise surveys
Occupational health risk assessment
Sick building syndrome surveys

Contact CARIRI’s AQMS department today to help you “Clear the Air.”

Air Quality Management Services (AQMS)
Trincity West Industrial Estate,
Macoya,
Tel: (868) 285-5050 ext. 3300
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Food Safety

Articles

Reinforcing the concrete structures

Part II: Current scenario on quality of reinforcement bars used in Caribbean region vis-à-vis international

Reinforcing the concrete structures

Part I: How effective are our reinforcements?

Gaining a Competitive Edge: Entrepreneurship and Sports

3 ways calibration can affect your profits in this “recession”

WORKPLACE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND YOU

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