Quality assurance program

The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) ensures that materials incorporated into any highway construction projects conform with the approved plans and specifications, including any approved changes.

This program also conforms to the criteria in FHWA regulation for Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction (23 CFR 637).

The QAP includes the following:

• Qualified Tester Program
• Equipment Calibration/Standardization/Check and Maintenance Program
• Qualified Laboratory Program
• Independent Assurance (IA) Program

Additional information on the Quality Assurance program can be found in Section 9.5 of the Construction Manual (M 41-01.10).

The Registration Policies & Information Handbook (PDF 740KB) is intended to be a guidance document for Sampler/Testing technicians involved in our Testing Technician Qualification Program (WTTQP) and WAQTC’s Transportation Testing Technician Qualification Program (TTQP).

The procedures in the Equipment Standardization and Check Procedures (VP’s) (PDF 2.6MB) document meet the standardization and check requirements of AASHTO R 18 and/or the procedure standards referenced for each piece of equipment.

Application process to register for the WTTQP / WAQTC Qualification Program Registration Forms

• WSDOT Employees Appendix A (PDF 129 KB)
• NON WSDOT Employees Appendix B (PDF 129 KB)
• WTTQP / WAQTC Registration Form Page 2  “Rights and Responsibilities Form”- Appendix C (PDF 109 KB )

The state materials laboratory in Tumwater, WA is currently AASHTO accredited in the following testing methods:

AASHTO Accreditations

Quality Systems - accredited since 7/1/1996
R18, C1222 (Hydraulic Cement)

Asphalt Binder - accredited since 7/1/1996
R28, T44, T48, T49, T50, T51, T53, T228, T240, T301, T313, T315, T316

Emulsified Asphalt - accredited since 7/1/1996
T59 (Particle Charge)
T59 (Residue by Distillation)
T59 (Residue by Evaporation)
T59 (Saybolt Viscosity at 25°C (77°F))
T59 (Sieve Test)

Hot Mix Asphalt - accredited since 7/1/1996
T30, T166, T209, T269, T308, T312

Soil - accredited since 7/1/1996
T87, T88, T89, T90, T99, T100, T176, T180, T208, T216, T236, T265, T296, T297

Aggregate - accredited since 7/1/1996
T11, T27, T84, T85, T96, T176, T248, T255, T304, D5821

Portland Cement Concrete - accredited since 7/1/1996
T22, T23 (Cylinders), T119, T121, T141, T152, T196, T309, C1231

Hydraulic Cement - Physical Tests - accredited since 7/1/1996
T106, T107, T127, T129, T131, T137, T153, T154, T162, C1437

Hydraulic Cement - Chemical Tests - accredited since 7/1/1996
T105 (Calcium Oxide – Reference)
T105 (Insoluble Residue – Reference)
T105 (Loss on Ignition – Reference)
T105 (Silicon Dioxide – Reference)
T105 (Silicon Dioxide – X-Ray Fluorescence)
T105 (Sulfur Trioxide – Reference)

Metals - accredited since 4/22/2008
M111 (Zinc Coatings on Iron and Steel: Thickness of Zinc (Magnetic))
M30-T65 (Zinc Coated Steel: Mass of Zinc Coating)
M111-T65 (Zinc Coatings on Iron and Steel: Thickness of Zinc (Stripping))
M31-T244 (Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Tensile Strength)
M31-T285 (Carbon-Steel Bars, Deformed and Plain: Bend Test)
M203-T244 (Steel, Uncoated Seven-Wire: Tensile Strength)
T244 (High Strength Bolts: Proof Load Determination)
T244 (High Strength Bolts: Tensile Strength)
A325-E18 (High Strength Bolts: Rockwell Hardness)

A listing of other AASHTO Accredited Laboratories in Washington State can be found at AASHTO Materials Reference Library (AMRL).

Proficiency Sample Program

As part of the accreditation process, our laboratory is enrolled in the AMRL and CCRL proficiency programs. AMRL and CCRL send samples to process and once all laboratories have responded, the AMRL and CCRL rate the laboratories performance. Any ratings below a ± 2 must be investigated and a corrective action report must sent to the AMRL Quality Representative. The corrective action report explains the root cause of the low rating and what action will be taken to prevent it happening in the future.

Quality Systems Manual

To maintain its Quality System accreditation under AASHTO, the laboratory must maintain a Quality Systems Manual which meets the requirements of AASHTO R 18.

The purpose of the Quality Systems Manual is to describe the elements of WSDOT quality system and how they are intended to be implemented. The some of the processes included in the manual are:

• Technician training and evaluation
• Internal audit and corrective action
• Equipment calibration, standardization and checks
• Reporting of test results

The Quality Systems Manual can be viewed at the office of the Quality Systems Manager.

Qualified Tester Program

Currently only WSDOT personnel or consultant personnel working as a member of a Project Engineering Office can be qualified through the WSDOT qualified tester program. All personnel who perform acceptance testing of materials on State or Federal projects must be qualified in the test method they are performing or working under the direct supervision of a qualified tester. The process for qualification is detailed in Section 9-5 of the WSDOT Construction Manual (M 41-01.10).

You can find qualified testers in the WSDOT/WAQTC Certified Tester List (PDF 626 KB). 

Qualified Laboratory Program

All laboratories, other than the State Materials Laboratory which is AASHTO accredited, performing acceptance testing, dispute resolution testing or IA testing for State or Federal funded construction projects must be qualified by the State Materials Laboratory.

Requirements for the Laboratory qualification program are found in Section 9-5.9 of the Construction Manual (M 41-01.10).

The process for reviewing the laboratories is detailed in QC3 Quality System Laboratory Review which is found in the Materials Manual (M 46-01.07).