Sustainable Test Methods for Construction Materials and Elements

The laboratory testing of the construction materials and elements is a subset of activities inherent in sustainable building materials engineering. Two questions arise regarding test methods used: the relation between test results and material behavior in actual conditions on the one hand, and the variability of results related to uncertainty on the other. The paper presents the analysis of the results and uncertainties of the simple two independent test examples (bond strength and tensile strength) in order to demonstrate discrepancies related to the ambiguous methods of estimating uncertainty and the consequences of using test methods when method suitability for conformity assessment has not been properly verified. Examples are the basis for opening discussion on the test methods development direction, which makes possible to consider them as ‘sustainable’. The authors address the negative impact of the lack of a complete test models taking into account proceeding with an uncertainty on erroneous assessment risks. Adverse effects can be minimized by creating test methods appropriate for the test’s purpose (e.g., initial or routine tests) and handling with uncontrolled uncertainty components. Sustainable test methods should ensure a balance between widely defined tests and evaluation costs and the material’s or building’s safety, reliability, and stability.