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Like many other industries dealing with large amounts of scientific data and a wide variety of test methods, construction and engineering [[Laboratory|laboratories]] often turn to [[laboratory information management system]]s (LIMS) to not only better manage the data but also manage a wide variety of laboratory activities, while also attempting to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements. These laboratory informatics systems provide a wide range of features to meet most lab's needs. That said, the construction and engineering (i.e., geotechnical) lab has its own intricacies such that a generic LIMS may not meet all the lab's needs. For most of these labs, it will be imperative to find a solution that meets all or most of its workflow requirements. This more often than not requires a configurable solution that enables trained users to quickly make the changes they need, if those changes make sense within the overall data structure of the LIMS.
Like many other industries dealing with large amounts of scientific data and a wide variety of test methods, construction and engineering [[Laboratory|laboratories]] often turn to [[laboratory information management system]]s (LIMS) to not only better manage the data but also manage a wide variety of laboratory activities, while also attempting to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements. These laboratory informatics systems provide a wide range of features to meet most lab's needs. That said, the construction and engineering (i.e., geotechnical) lab has its own intricacies such that a generic LIMS may not meet all the lab's needs. For most of these labs, it will be imperative to find a solution that meets all or most of its workflow requirements. This more often than not requires a configurable solution that enables trained users to quickly make the changes they need, if those changes make sense within the overall data structure of the LIMS.


What follows is a list of system functionality important to most any construction and engineering laboratory, with a majority of that functionality found in many vendor software solutions.
What follows is a list of system functionality important to most any construction and engineering laboratory, with a majority of that functionality found in many vendor software solutions.<ref name="AgileGeotech">{{cite web |url=https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/geotechnical-engineering-software/ |title=Geotechnical Engineering Software |publisher=Agile Frameworks, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="AgileConstruct">{{cite web |url=https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/construction-materials-testing-software/ |title=Construction Materials Testing Software |publisher=Agile Frameworks, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BassettiMaterials">{{cite web |url=https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-teexma-for-materials-data-data-base-analysis-environmental-environmental-compliance-smart-material/?lang=en |title=TEEXMA for Materials |publisher=Bassetti France SAS |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BassettiLIMS">{{cite web |url=https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-for-lims-teexma-for-lims-eln-qualitycontrol-quality-control-mes-lab-digitize-streamlin/?lang=en |title=TEEXMA for LIMS |publisher=Bassetti France SAS |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BentleyKeyLAB">{{cite web |url=https://www.bentley.com/software/keylab/ |title=KeyLAB |publisher=Bentley Systems, Inc |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="Bentley_gINT">{{cite web |url=https://virtuosity.bentley.com/product/gint/ |title=gINT |publisher=Bentley Systems, Inc |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ForneyVault">{{cite web |url=https://forneyvault.com/how-it-works/ |title=ForneyVault - How it Works |publisher=Forney, LP |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="MciCivil">{{cite web |url=https://www.mci-it.co.za/civil-engineering-materials-and-environmental |title=Civil Engineering Materials and Environmental Laboratories |publisher=Mci IT Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="SpectraQESTLab">{{cite web |url=https://www.spectraqest.com/lab-operations-overview/ |title=QESTLab |publisher=Spectra QEST Australia Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ElmtreeSystem">{{cite web |url=https://www.elmtreesystem.com/ |title=Elmtree System |publisher=ElmTree Systems, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ElmtreeSystemCMT">{{cite web |url=https://www.elmtreesystem.com/construction-materials-testing-software/ |title=Elmtree System - Workflow |publisher=ElmTree Systems, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="eFDLabInfo">{{cite web |url=https://efielddata.com/lab-management-software.html |title=Lab Information Management System (LIMS) |publisher=eFieldData |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LastradaHome">{{cite web |url=https://www.lastradapartners.com/ |title=LASTRADA Partners |publisher=LASTRADA Partners |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LastradaJPSCLIMS">{{cite web |url=https://www.jpsc.de/en/lastrada/modules/management-modules-lims.php?lang=EN |title=LASTRADA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software Modules |publisher=Dr. Jung & Partner Software & Consulting AG |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="GEDatgel">{{cite web |url=https://www.geoengineer.org/software/datgel-lab-tool |title=Datgel Lab Tool |work=GeoEngineer.org |publisher=Argo-E Group |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="GTGeotester">{{cite web |url=https://www.geotester.com/ |title=Geotester - Construction Materials Testing Laboratory Information Management System |publisher=GeoTester Technologies Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="MezintelBreaktest">{{cite web |url=https://www.mezintel.com/construction-materials-testing.html |title=Breaktest |publisher=Mezintel |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LiangLab10">{{cite web |url=https://www.marshall.edu/cegas/geohazards/2010pdf/presentations/Session2/3_GEO-LIMS_presentation_revised_8-2-2010.pdf |format=PDF |title=Laboratory Data Management System for Soil, Rock and Water |author=Liang, R.Y.; Feng, F.; Beach, K. et al. |publisher=Marshall University |date=02 August 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="IconFeatures">{{cite web |url=https://icon-computers.in/i-lims/features/ |title=i-LIMS Features |publisher=Icon Computers |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Greene |first=Gretchen |last2=Ragland |first2=Jared |last3=Trautt |first3=Zachary |last4=Lau |first4=June |last5=Plante |first5=Raymond |last6=Taillon |first6=Joshua |last7=Creuziger |first7=Adam |last8=Becker |first8=Chandler |last9=Bennett |first9=Joseph |last10=Blonder |first10=Niksa |last11=Borsuk |first11=Lisa |date=2022-04-11 |title=A roadmap for LIMS at NIST Material Measurement Laboratory |url=https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/TechnicalNotes/NIST.TN.2216.pdf |place=Gaithersburg, MD |pages=NIST TN 2216 |doi=10.6028/nist.tn.2216}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meegoda, J.N.; Tang, C. |date=April 2008 |title=FHWA-NJ-2004-010 Laboratory Information Management System - Final Report |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/884306 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation}}</ref>
 
<ref name="AgileGeotech">{{cite web |url=https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/geotechnical-engineering-software/ |title=Geotechnical Engineering Software |publisher=Agile Frameworks, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="AgileConstruct">{{cite web |url=https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/construction-materials-testing-software/ |title=Construction Materials Testing Software |publisher=Agile Frameworks, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BassettiMaterials">{{cite web |url=https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-teexma-for-materials-data-data-base-analysis-environmental-environmental-compliance-smart-material/?lang=en |title=TEEXMA for Materials |publisher=Bassetti France SAS |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BassettiLIMS">{{cite web |url=https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-for-lims-teexma-for-lims-eln-qualitycontrol-quality-control-mes-lab-digitize-streamlin/?lang=en |title=TEEXMA for LIMS |publisher=Bassetti France SAS |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="BentleyKeyLAB">{{cite web |url=https://www.bentley.com/software/keylab/ |title=KeyLAB |publisher=Bentley Systems, Inc |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="Bentley_gINT">{{cite web |url=https://virtuosity.bentley.com/product/gint/ |title=gINT |publisher=Bentley Systems, Inc |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ForneyVault">{{cite web |url=https://forneyvault.com/how-it-works/ |title=ForneyVault - How it Works |publisher=Forney, LP |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="MciCivil">{{cite web |url=https://www.mci-it.co.za/civil-engineering-materials-and-environmental |title=Civil Engineering Materials and Environmental Laboratories |publisher=Mci IT Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="SpectraQESTLab">{{cite web |url=https://www.spectraqest.com/lab-operations-overview/ |title=QESTLab |publisher=Spectra QEST Australia Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ElmtreeSystem">{{cite web |url=https://www.elmtreesystem.com/ |title=Elmtree System |publisher=ElmTree Systems, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="ElmtreeSystemCMT">{{cite web |url=https://www.elmtreesystem.com/construction-materials-testing-software/ |title=Elmtree System - Workflow |publisher=ElmTree Systems, LLC |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="eFDLabInfo">{{cite web |url=https://efielddata.com/lab-management-software.html |title=Lab Information Management System (LIMS) |publisher=eFieldData |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LastradaHome">{{cite web |url=https://www.lastradapartners.com/ |title=LASTRADA Partners |publisher=LASTRADA Partners |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LastradaJPSCLIMS">{{cite web |url=https://www.jpsc.de/en/lastrada/modules/management-modules-lims.php?lang=EN |title=LASTRADA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software Modules |publisher=Dr. Jung & Partner Software & Consulting AG |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="GEDatgel">{{cite web |url=https://www.geoengineer.org/software/datgel-lab-tool |title=Datgel Lab Tool |work=GeoEngineer.org |publisher=Argo-E Group |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="GTGeotester">{{cite web |url=https://www.geotester.com/ |title=Geotester - Construction Materials Testing Laboratory Information Management System |publisher=GeoTester Technologies Pty. Ltd |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="MezintelBreaktest">{{cite web |url=https://www.mezintel.com/construction-materials-testing.html |title=Breaktest |publisher=Mezintel |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="LiangLab10">{{cite web |url=https://www.marshall.edu/cegas/geohazards/2010pdf/presentations/Session2/3_GEO-LIMS_presentation_revised_8-2-2010.pdf |format=PDF |title=Laboratory Data Management System for Soil, Rock and Water |author=Liang, R.Y.; Feng, F.; Beach, K. et al. |publisher=Marshall University |date=02 August 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref name="IconFeatures">{{cite web |url=https://icon-computers.in/i-lims/features/ |title=i-LIMS Features |publisher=Icon Computers |accessdate=30 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Greene |first=Gretchen |last2=Ragland |first2=Jared |last3=Trautt |first3=Zachary |last4=Lau |first4=June |last5=Plante |first5=Raymond |last6=Taillon |first6=Joshua |last7=Creuziger |first7=Adam |last8=Becker |first8=Chandler |last9=Bennett |first9=Joseph |last10=Blonder |first10=Niksa |last11=Borsuk |first11=Lisa |date=2022-04-11 |title=A roadmap for LIMS at NIST Material Measurement Laboratory |url=https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/TechnicalNotes/NIST.TN.2216.pdf |place=Gaithersburg, MD |pages=NIST TN 2216 |doi=10.6028/nist.tn.2216}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meegoda, J.N.; Tang, C. |date=April 2008 |title=FHWA-NJ-2004-010 Laboratory Information Management System - Final Report |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/884306 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Transportation}}</ref>


'''Test, sample and result management'''
'''Test, sample and result management'''
Line 77: Line 75:


===Specialty LIMS requirements===
===Specialty LIMS requirements===
Some laboratory informatics software vendors are addressing construction and engineering laboratories' needs beyond the features of a basic all-purpose LIMS. A standard LIMS tailored for the construction materials testing and geotechnical testing industries may already contribute to some of these wider organizational functions, as well as more advanced laboratory workflow requirements, but many may not, or may vary in what additional functionality they provide. In that regard, a construction and engineering LIMS vendor may also include specialized functionality that assists these labs. This includes:


*library of materials specifications
* '''Providing a library of materials specifications''': Given the wide variety of materials tested by these labs, a built-in materials library that can be referenced throughout the LIMS will have some utility. The reality may be that this feature is more useful for those labs conducting research and development (R&D} on new construction materials. However, some analytical and quality testing labs may also find access to such a library useful, particularly if any built-in or customizable test methods can also be linked to specific materials in the library.
*recipe, mix, and blend management/design <ref name="LastradaHome" />
*recipe, mix, and blend management/design <ref name="LastradaHome" />
*configurable lab test forms
*configurable lab test forms

Revision as of 16:53, 1 December 2023

Sandbox begins below

Lords Institute Of Engineering And Technology-Machines Lab (1).jpg

Title: What are the key elements of a LIMS for construction and engineering?

Author for citation: Shawn E. Douglas

License for content: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Publication date: November 2023

Base LIMS requirements for construction and engineering labs

Like many other industries dealing with large amounts of scientific data and a wide variety of test methods, construction and engineering laboratories often turn to laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to not only better manage the data but also manage a wide variety of laboratory activities, while also attempting to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements. These laboratory informatics systems provide a wide range of features to meet most lab's needs. That said, the construction and engineering (i.e., geotechnical) lab has its own intricacies such that a generic LIMS may not meet all the lab's needs. For most of these labs, it will be imperative to find a solution that meets all or most of its workflow requirements. This more often than not requires a configurable solution that enables trained users to quickly make the changes they need, if those changes make sense within the overall data structure of the LIMS.

What follows is a list of system functionality important to most any construction and engineering laboratory, with a majority of that functionality found in many vendor software solutions.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Test, sample and result management

  • Sample log-in and management, with support for unique IDs
  • Sample batching
  • Barcode and RFID support
  • End-to-end sample and inventory tracking
  • Pre-defined and configurable industry-specific test and method management, including for a wide variety of physical, mechanical, and chemical analyses
  • Pre-defined and configurable industry-specific workflows
  • Configurable screens and data fields
  • Specification management
  • Test, sampling, instrument, etc. scheduling and assignment
  • Test requesting
  • Data import, export, and archiving
  • Robust query tools
  • Analytical tools, including data visualization, statistical analysis, and data mining tools
  • Document and image management
  • Project management
  • Facility and sampling site management
  • Storage management and monitoring

Quality, security, and compliance

  • Quality assurance / quality control mechanisms
  • Mechanisms for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 9000, AASHTO, ASTM, and state DOT requirements
  • Result, method, protocol, batch, and material validation, review, and release
  • Data validation
  • Trend and control charting for statistical analysis and measurement of uncertainty
  • User qualification, performance, and training management
  • Audit trails and chain of custody support
  • Configurable and granular role-based security
  • Configurable system access and use (i.e., authentication requirements, account usage rules, account locking, etc.)
  • Electronic signature support
  • Data encryption and secure communication protocols
  • Archiving and retention of data and information
  • Configurable data backups
  • Status updates and alerts
  • Incident and non-conformance notification, tracking, and management

Operations management and reporting

  • Configurable dashboards for monitoring, by material, process, facility, etc.
  • Customizable rich-text reporting, with multiple supported output formats
  • Custom and industry-specific reporting, including certificates of analysis (CoAs)
  • Email integration
  • Instrument interfacing and data management
  • Third-party software interfacing (e.g., scientific data management system [SDMS], other databases)
  • Data import, export, and archiving
  • Instrument calibration and maintenance tracking
  • Inventory and material management
  • Supplier/vendor/customer management
  • Customer portal

Specialty LIMS requirements

Some laboratory informatics software vendors are addressing construction and engineering laboratories' needs beyond the features of a basic all-purpose LIMS. A standard LIMS tailored for the construction materials testing and geotechnical testing industries may already contribute to some of these wider organizational functions, as well as more advanced laboratory workflow requirements, but many may not, or may vary in what additional functionality they provide. In that regard, a construction and engineering LIMS vendor may also include specialized functionality that assists these labs. This includes:

  • Providing a library of materials specifications: Given the wide variety of materials tested by these labs, a built-in materials library that can be referenced throughout the LIMS will have some utility. The reality may be that this feature is more useful for those labs conducting research and development (R&D} on new construction materials. However, some analytical and quality testing labs may also find access to such a library useful, particularly if any built-in or customizable test methods can also be linked to specific materials in the library.
  • recipe, mix, and blend management/design [13]
  • configurable lab test forms
  • pre-built and configurable reporting templates "of which follow regulatory standards for ASTM, AASHTO, a variety of state DOTs, as well as other industry governing organizations" [22]
  • mobile-supported for field data collection; " Mobile data collection automatically synchronizes across your operations and labs to deliver results anytime, anywhere. Use any mobile device to upload data onsite in real time, making it instantly accessible to everyone who needs it, including readings, calibration of field test equipment, and photos." [2] "upload data onsite in real time, making it instantly accessible to everyone who needs it, including readings, calibration of field test equipment, and photos" [1]
  • supporting field documentation
  • "Review pending field work alongside availability of qualified technicians." [2]
  • "supports a broad range of geotechnical engineering services including site investigations, conventional drilling/sampling, soil testing, and in-situ testing."
  • data consolidation across multiple offices "can store data of Laboratory, Site Investigation, In Situ Testing and Instrumentation in one database" [15]
  • support for construction formulations for concretes, cements, glues, coatings, etc.
  • support for "SENVOL, MMPDS, JAHM, and many other databases containing commercial grades or standardized materials" [3]
  • "AGS compatibility that not only allows you to support projects using AGS 3.1 and AGS 4" [5][6]
  • "electronic worksheets that cover approximately 600 different test methods" [9]
  • support for industry-specific forms such as break sheets [10]
  • dispatch scheduling for field testing
  • 3D modeling and analysis of subsurface data [6]
  • mark whether a sample is from disturbed or undisturbed substrate [18]
  • sample disposal management https://icon-computers.in/i-lims/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/05/I-lims-Broucher.pdf

Conclusion

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Geotechnical Engineering Software". Agile Frameworks, LLC. https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/geotechnical-engineering-software/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Construction Materials Testing Software". Agile Frameworks, LLC. https://www.agileframeworks.com/who-we-serve/construction-materials-testing-software/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "TEEXMA for Materials". Bassetti France SAS. https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-teexma-for-materials-data-data-base-analysis-environmental-environmental-compliance-smart-material/?lang=en. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  4. "TEEXMA for LIMS". Bassetti France SAS. https://www.bassetti-group.com/teexma-for-lims-teexma-for-lims-eln-qualitycontrol-quality-control-mes-lab-digitize-streamlin/?lang=en. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "KeyLAB". Bentley Systems, Inc. https://www.bentley.com/software/keylab/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "gINT". Bentley Systems, Inc. https://virtuosity.bentley.com/product/gint/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  7. "ForneyVault - How it Works". Forney, LP. https://forneyvault.com/how-it-works/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  8. "Civil Engineering Materials and Environmental Laboratories". Mci IT Pty. Ltd. https://www.mci-it.co.za/civil-engineering-materials-and-environmental. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "QESTLab". Spectra QEST Australia Pty. Ltd. https://www.spectraqest.com/lab-operations-overview/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Elmtree System". ElmTree Systems, LLC. https://www.elmtreesystem.com/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  11. "Elmtree System - Workflow". ElmTree Systems, LLC. https://www.elmtreesystem.com/construction-materials-testing-software/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  12. "Lab Information Management System (LIMS)". eFieldData. https://efielddata.com/lab-management-software.html. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  13. 13.0 13.1 "LASTRADA Partners". LASTRADA Partners. https://www.lastradapartners.com/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  14. "LASTRADA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software Modules". Dr. Jung & Partner Software & Consulting AG. https://www.jpsc.de/en/lastrada/modules/management-modules-lims.php?lang=EN. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Datgel Lab Tool". GeoEngineer.org. Argo-E Group. https://www.geoengineer.org/software/datgel-lab-tool. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  16. "Geotester - Construction Materials Testing Laboratory Information Management System". GeoTester Technologies Pty. Ltd. https://www.geotester.com/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  17. "Breaktest". Mezintel. https://www.mezintel.com/construction-materials-testing.html. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  18. 18.0 18.1 Liang, R.Y.; Feng, F.; Beach, K. et al. (2 August 2010). "Laboratory Data Management System for Soil, Rock and Water" (PDF). Marshall University. https://www.marshall.edu/cegas/geohazards/2010pdf/presentations/Session2/3_GEO-LIMS_presentation_revised_8-2-2010.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  19. "i-LIMS Features". Icon Computers. https://icon-computers.in/i-lims/features/. Retrieved 30 November 2023. 
  20. Greene, Gretchen; Ragland, Jared; Trautt, Zachary; Lau, June; Plante, Raymond; Taillon, Joshua; Creuziger, Adam; Becker, Chandler et al. (11 April 2022). A roadmap for LIMS at NIST Material Measurement Laboratory. Gaithersburg, MD. pp. NIST TN 2216. doi:10.6028/nist.tn.2216. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/TechnicalNotes/NIST.TN.2216.pdf. 
  21. Meegoda, J.N.; Tang, C. (April 2008). "FHWA-NJ-2004-010 Laboratory Information Management System - Final Report". New Jersey Department of Transportation. https://trid.trb.org/view/884306. 
  22. "Forms Library". Agile Frameworks, LLC. https://www.agileframeworks.com/forms-library/. Retrieved 01 December 2023.