2016

QL-PAY 6.0 User’s Manual

Computer Program for Statistical Evaluation
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 2

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................4

2. Getting Started....................................................................................................................................4

2.1. Menu Functions.......................................................................................................................4

2.1.1. File ...................................................................................................................................4

2.1.2. Sample Sets......................................................................................................................7

2.1.3. Reports ............................................................................................................................9

2.1.4. Property Specifications..................................................................................................12

2.1.5. Test Results....................................................................................................................13

2.1.6. Help................................................................................................................................14

3. Setting Up a Project...........................................................................................................................15

3.1. Using the Contract.................................................................................................................15

3.2. Creating a Sample Set............................................................................................................16

3.3. Creating a Secondary Lab Sample Set in the same Lot..........................................................24

3.4. Deleting an Existing Sample Set.............................................................................................25

3.5. Creating a New Target Specification Template .....................................................................25

3.6. Inputting Test Results............................................................................................................27

4. Reports..............................................................................................................................................29

4.1. List Test Results......................................................................................................................31

4.2. Calculate Pay Factor...............................................................................................................32

4.3. Histograms.............................................................................................................................33

4.4. Null Hypothesis......................................................................................................................34

4.5. Skewness and Kurtosis...........................................................................................................36

4.6. Control Charts........................................................................................................................37

4.7. Sample Set Differences..........................................................................................................38

4.8. Primary and Alternate Lab Selection .....................................................................................40

4.9. Range of Sample Numbers ....................................................................................................41

5. Importing/Exporting..........................................................................................................................41

5.1. Import....................................................................................................................................42

5.2. Export.....................................................................................................................................47

6. Random Sampling .............................................................................................................................49
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 3

6.1. Generating Random Number Reports...................................................................................49

6.1.1. By Quantity ....................................................................................................................49

6.1.2. By Roadway Station.......................................................................................................51

7. Examples ...........................................................................................................................................54

7.1. Section 301 Aggregate Courses Example...............................................................................52

7.2. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method – Control Strip

Example .................................................................................................................................70

7.3. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method – Full Production

Example .................................................................................................................................84

7.4. Section 552 Structural Concrete Example ...........................................................................104

7.5. Exporting Data Example.......................................................................................................117
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 4

1. Introduction

QL-PAY is a program created to assist in the evaluation of material quality and consistency through 

statistical analysis. It will determine the quality level, percent within limits, and the pay factor of an 

item. The program also provides a data verification analysis used to compare data obtained by the 

contractor to data from the samples sent to the government central laboratory. The program uses 

the F and t statistics with a significance level of 0.01 for comparison of data samples.

QL-PAY home screen.

2. Getting Started

2.1. Menu Functions

2.1.1. File

File menu from the home screen of QL-PAY.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 5

A. Db (Data) Directory

This specifies where the sample set data is located on the hard drive.

B. Export Directory

When exporting data from the program, a transfer file will be established in the specified 

directory. The data from the QL-PAY program is exported as a .XML that can be read by 

another user.

C. Import Directory

This specifies the default location for the transfer files to import.

Note: The directories should automatically be set up within the QL-PAY file in a default 

location already on the computer hard drive upon initial installation of the program. This 

can be located by selecting the directory the user wants to view from the “file” menu.

Locating the directories in QL-PAY.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 6

D. Settings

The settings tab allows for the Organization Name, Print Signature Box, and Quality Level 

Format to be adjusted. 

QL-PAY main settings window.

a. Organization Name: The organization name will appear on all generated reports.

b. Print Signature Box: When checked, a signature block will be printed on the Pay 

Factor Report.

c. Quality Level Format: Depending on the box selected, Quality Level will be 

reported as “Percent within Limits” or as “Percent Defective.”

E. Property Specifications Templates

Prior to inputting data, property specifications will need to be provided. Users can create 

a custom template to aid in classifying property sets. 

Property specification template window.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 7

This tab within the file menu allows new templates to be established that can be reused

from the user’s computer. These templates can be found when setting up projects under 

“Property Specifications.” See Section 3.5 Creating a New Target Specification Template

for more detailed instruction.

2.1.2. Sample Sets

A. Import

View of the sample set import menu functions.

a. Import Sample Sets

The user can import transfer files into QL-PAY using this option. The user will 

have an .XML file that will be placed in the “import directory” mentioned 

above in the “File” menu functions. When importing data sets, inconsistencies 

in the property specifications will be flagged by QL-PAY. The user will be 

notified of these inconsistencies and is able to choose to proceed or not. See

Section 5.1 Import for more detailed instructions.

b. Clear “Import” Directory

This function provides the user with the ability to delete the .XML transfer files 

from the import directory.

B. Unmark Recent Imports

Upon transfer into QL-PAY, the imported sample sets are denoted with a check 

mark under the “Imported” column heading. The check marks will remain in 

the column until QL-PAY is closed, unless they are removed by the user during 

the session.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 8

C. Export

View of the sample set export menu functions.

Note: In QL-PAY, a project is specified as a group of sample sets that are encompassed 

by an identical project name and project number entered by the user. When selecting a 

“project,” all sample sets that have the corresponding project name and number will be 

included in the export file.

a. Export all Projects

All sample set data for every project in QL-PAY is exported to a transfer file in 

the export directory.

b. Export Selected Project

This allows the user to export the sample set files associated with the selected 

project, thus creating a transfer file in the export directory.

c. Export Selected Sample Set

The function exports only sample sets selected by the user to the export 

directory.

d. Clear Export Directory

This function provides the user with the ability to delete the .XML transfer files 

from the export directory.

D. Delete Sample Sets

The user can delete the sample sets by highlighting the appropriate sample sets. See 

Section 3.4 Deleting an Existing Sample Set for further instruction.

E. Copy to Fields

When a sample set is selected, the user can copy the Contract Number, Item, Lot, and 

Laboratory into the “Identify new or existing sample set” fields to minimize entering 

project information multiple times for the same project.

F. Clear Fields

When information has been entered in the “Identify new or existing sample set” fields, 

it can be cleared by selecting this option.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 9

G. Restore Fields

The restore function will re-establish the data that was entered previously into the 

editable fields.

Note: Copy/Clear/Restore fields can be found in the “sample sets” menu function or 

they can also be located as buttons in the “Identify new or existing sample set” box in 

the lower portion of the home screen.

Copy/Clear/Restore fields locations on the home screen.

2.1.3. Reports

The pull down menu from the “Reports” tab provides options to select various preselected report types. See Section 4 Reports for a detailed explanation of the report 

components.

Reports menu function on the home screen.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 10

A. Short Analysis

The short analysis compiles the test result values with the pay factor and null 

hypothesis analysis. The generated report will include a listing of the test results, pay 

factor analysis, and null hypothesis for the selected sample set.

Short analysis short cut report selection.

B. Pay Factor

The pay factor report will generate a report with the pay factor for the sample set.

Pay factor short cut report selection.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 11

C. Control Charts

Control Charts show a comparison of the test results with the specification limits.

Control chart short cut report selection.

D. Long Analysis

The long analysis includes a listing of the test result values, pay factor analysis, 

histograms, null hypothesis, skewness and kurtosis, and control charts for the selected 

sample set. 

Long analysis short cut report selection.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 12

Note: The previous four report selections (A-D) are a pre-selected specialized report 

short cut. By choosing these particular reports, a report will be generated with the data 

pertaining to the specific report.

E. Report on Single or Paired Sample Sets

This report option brings up the selection box to allow the user to manually select the 

combination of reports to run on the sample sets.

F. List Selected Sample Sets

This creates a list of the identifying information for the sample set that is selected.

G. List All Sample Sets

This function creates a list of the identifying information for all of the sample sets that 

are inputted in the QL-PAY database.

H. Grand Summary

A report is produced that includes the summary of all of the properties in the selected 

sample sets, along with the option to include an analysis of the sample sets and/or 

histograms of the data.

I. Random Sampling

A report is generated at the user’s discretion to produce random numbers using the 

project information of the selected sample set. The random numbers can be 

established by an item quantity or by roadway stationing of the project using the 

parameters in the report options. See Section 6.1 Generating Random Number 

Reports for specific instructions regarding random sampling.

2.1.4. Property Specifications

A “property set” is an asset of properties pertaining to a lot specified by Contract 

Number, Item Number, and Lot Number. This set contains one or more “Properties and 

Specifications” for the various items on a project that need to be tracked through QLPAY. These property sets are applied to the different labs that are performing tests for 

the specific properties.

Due to the program design, the user must provide a specific project name and project 

number to be able to select properties. However, when any changes are made to the 

property set information, the changes are applied to all the labs that are connected to 

the particular property set. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 13

2.1.5. Test Results

Test Results menu on the home screen.

The “Test Results” tab directs the user to a window for entering test results specific to 

the selected sample set. The user can choose to exclude certain samples, delete 

samples, and generate reports from this window. Verify the appropriate laboratory 

has been selected prior to entering results.

Window for entering test results.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 14

2.1.6. Help

Help drop down menu on the home screen.

A. Help on Menus and Forms

This help function will give you the basic information related to menus and forms 

within the QL-PAY database.

B. About QL-PAY

The version and build number of the QL-PAY program being used are displayed under 

this option.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 15

3. Setting Up a Project

3.1. Using the Contract

To determine how an item will be accepted, each Section of the contract has an Acceptance

Subsection and Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements Tables that will denote how 

the material will be evaluated. If it is stated that a particular material will be evaluated under 

Subsection 106.05, QL-PAY will be used for statistical analysis to determine the pay factor for 

the material. Generally speaking, the items governed by statistical evaluation procedures are

Aggregate Courses, Treated Aggregate Courses, Asphalt Concrete, and Structural Concrete.

Example Section 301. Untreated Aggregate Courses Acceptance subsection.

Example Table 301-1

Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements

Material or 

Product

(Subsection)

Type of 

Acceptance 

(Subsection)

Characteristic Category Test Methods 

Specifications

Sampling 

Frequency

Point of 

Sampling

Split 

Sample

Reporting 

Time Remarks

Base course 

grading C, D, 

& E

Statistical 

(106.05)

Gradation

AASHTO

T 27 & T 11

1 per 1000 tons

(900 metric tons)

From windrow or 

roadbed after 

processing

Yes 4 hours -

3/8 Inch

(9.5 mm) I

No. 4

(4.75 mm) I

No. 200

(75 μm) I

Other specified 

sieves II

Subbase & 

base course 

Grading A, 

B, C, D, & E

Measured 

and tested for 

conformance 

(106.04)

Liquid limit -

AASHTO

R 58 & T 89, 

Method A

1 per 1000 tons

(900 metric tons)

From windrow or 

roadbed after 

processing

Yes 4 hours -

Moisturedensity (max 

density)

-

AASHTO T 

180, method 

D(1)

1 per type & 

source of material

Stockpile or 

production output ” “ -

Density -

AASHTO T 

310 or other 

approved 

procedures

1 per 500 tons

(450 metric tons)

In-place after 

compaction No End of shift -

Moisture content 

(in-place) - “ “ “ “ “ -

Example Table 301-1 Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance requirements for Untreated Aggregate 

Courses.

Example Section 301. — UNTREATED AGGREGATE COURSES

301.08 Acceptance. See Example Table 301-1 for sampling, testing, and acceptance requirements; 

including the category for quality characteristics.

Aggregate gradation and surface course plasticity index will be evaluated under Subsection 106.05. 

Other aggregate quality properties will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 16

3.2. Creating a Sample Set

Initial view when opening QL-PAY.

A. Enter data in the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set” fields: Contract Number, Item, 

Lot, and Laboratory.

Completed project data entered in the sample set box.

Note: Typically, there will be a “Central Lab” and “Contractor Lab” sample 

set for each item. Make sure the drop down menu is not highlighted when 

moving on to the next step or it will not copy over to become a sample set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 17

a. Click on “Specifications” to proceed once all fields are completed. This 

window can be accessed from either the “Specifications” button on the lower 

right of the home screen or the menu icon stating “Property Specifications.”

Selecting specifications once sample set data is entered.

B. Specifications

Initial view after opening the specifications window.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 18

a. Enter the Project Name and Number.

Entered project name and number.

Note: The project name and number must be identical for all files associated 

with the particular project, i.e. Item 401 and Item 301 sample sets.

b. Select the appropriate template from the drop down menu under “Property 

Specifications.”

Drop down menu for the property specifications template.

By selecting a template, the majority of the specification has already been 

entered into the program and only minor changes will need to be completed. 

See the next page for a view of the property specifications template.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 19

Choosing a property specifications template.

c. If there is not a template specified for the item to be evaluated, property 

specifications can be added manually by using the “Add Properties” tool and 

individually selecting the properties required for analysis from the “Select a 

Property” window.

Process for selecting individual properties.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 20

d. When using templates, there may be additional properties in the property 

specifications templates than are shown in the sampling and testing 

requirements of the contract. The additional properties can be removed in 

two ways, either by highlighting the row to delete and select the button that 

states “Delete selected rows” or the user can press the delete button on the 

keyboard.

Deleting highlighted property specifications.

C. Providing Target Specifications to Match the Contract

a. To input specification targets, highlight the property in the lower table and 

click on the “Target Specs” button. 

Highlighted property prior to selecting target specs.

This will bring up a new window to enter the specifications for the particular 

property. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 21

Target specification window.

b. Select the criticality level for the target specification. The criticality level 

(category) defines the lowest acceptable quality level a material can reach 

and still receive the contract price. The category is broken into two levels 

which are stated in the Sampling, Testing and Acceptance Requirements 

Table within each section of the contract. Category I and II are based on 

acceptable quality levels of 95 percent and 90 percent, respectively. For 

additional information, see Subsection 106.05 in the specifications.

c. Determine the testing parameters for each property and select the 

appropriate specification type, i.e. min, max, etc. When the appropriate 

button is selected, the corresponding fields on the right will be highlighted to 

enter data. Each field will need to be filled with data from either the 

sampling and testing specification, material specification or a mix design.

i. +/- dev: By selecting this option, the contract requires a target value 

and an allowable deviation be set for each individual property.

ii. Min: A minimum parameter is used when the contract states that a 

lower specification limit is required for the property.

iii. Max: The maximum value will be used when the specification 

specifies an upper limit for the property.

iv. Mean: When using the “mean” target specification, the program 

establishes the mean of the inputted data as the target value. If the 

mean exceeds the maximum specification limit or is lower than the 

minimum specification limit, the program will automatically set the 

target value at the maximum or minimum specification limit as 

appropriate.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 22

v. Info: By selecting the info button, the particular property will only be 

displayed in the reports for informational purposes. These properties 

will not be used when calculating a pay factor.

AC-m target specifications window completed.

Note: Estimate the number of tests that will be taken throughout 

the project and enter in the appropriate field. This number can be 

changed at a later date if the number of tests increases or decreases. 

The final number of tests taken should be reflected under each 

property at the completion of the item. 

Note: The reports will not include a pay factor or percent within limits 

(PWL) if the estimated number of tests for a particular item is not 

entered.

d. After the target specifications are entered, click “OK” and proceed to 

adjusting the remainder of the properties. The completed specifications 

window is shown on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 23

Target Specifications adjusted per contract requirements.

e. When finished entering all of the properties, click “Save and Close.”

Note: The specifications window has three options for leaving the window: 

“Save,” “Save and Close,” and “Quit.” Each function has a separate outcome. 

Save: If the user selects “Save,” the data that has been entered will be 

saved, but the specifications window will not close.

Save and Close: By selecting “Save and Close,” the data that has been 

entered will be saved and the specifications window will close.

Quit: If the user presses “Quit,” none of the changes made to the 

specifications will be saved and it will resort back to the data that 

was entered prior to opening the specification set and close the 

window.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 24

3.3. Creating a Secondary Lab Sample Set in the same Lot

A. From the home screen of the QL-PAY program, press the “Clear Fields” button located in 

the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set(s)” box. 

B. Highlight the sample set to create a secondary lab and select the “Copy to Fields” button. 

This will copy the project information to be used for the new sample set.

After selecting Copy to Fields, the sample set information is transferred.

C. In the “Laboratory” drop down menu, choose “Central Lab.”

View after selecting copy to fields and the Central Lab.

D. Click on “Specifications.” The specifications should be identical to the original sample set. 

Select “Save and Close” once the property specifications have been reviewed for accuracy.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 25

3.4. Deleting an Existing Sample Set

To delete a sample set, highlight the sample set to delete and click on the “Sample Sets” drop 

down menu. 

Deleting an existing sample set.

From there, select “Delete Sample sets” → “Yes.”

Deletion confirmation.

3.5. Creating a New Target Specification Template

A. Go to “File” → “Property Spec. Templates.”

Selecting the property specification template function.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 26

B. Under the “Current Template” field, type the title the new template will be named.

Creating a new template.

C. Select “Add Properties.” Highlight the properties to be included in the template and click 

“OK.”

Selecting a property.

D. To rearrange the order of the properties within the new template, drag and drop the 

property in the desired location.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 27

E. When all properties and locations have been set in the template, select “Save Current 

Template” and then “Close.”

Steps to save and close the property specification template.

F. The template will now be available to select under the specifications window, when 

creating a new sample set.

G. This process can also be used to edit existing templates by selecting a template on the 

“Property Spec. Templates” page instead of creating a new one.

Note: Templates that are created by the user are only stored on the user’s computer and will 

not transfer to another user.

3.6. Inputting Test Results

A. Highlight the sample set that the user has test results for.

Highlighted sample set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 28

B. The test results can be accessed from two locations on the home screen. The user can 

either select the “Test Results” button at the lower right of the window or use the “Test 

Results” menu drop down.

Options to access the test results screen.

C. Begin entering the test result data, starting with Sample #1. Make sure to include 

consecutive sample numbers when entering in the test result data, i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc. and do 

not skip lines.

Note: Three test results are needed before a statistical analysis can be computed.

a. When entering test results, review the testing requirements for the appropriate 

number of decimal places to record. 

View of consecutive test results being entered.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 29

b. Select the “Exclude” box, if there are test results for a sample number that the user 

does not want to include in the analysis.

Note: When entering a verifying lab’s test results, make certain to enter the appropriate 

sample number which correlates to the contractor’s sample, i.e. 3 and 3. This will allow QLPAY to compare corresponding sample splits throughout the analysis process. 

4. Reports

QL-PAY has the option to generate a combination of reports comparing the test results that have 

been entered for the project sample sets. The report selection can be accessed from two places 

within the program. From the home screen of QL-PAY, the reports can be obtained through the 

drop down menu under “Reports.”

Selecting the reports menu from the home screen.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 30

If the user is in the test results screen, the reports can be obtained by selecting the “Reports” drop 

down menu.

Selecting the reports menu from the test results screen.

Once the reports function has been chosen, the following is the main screen that will be used to 

generate an array of reports covering the sample set data that has been selected.

Report selections.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 31

4.1. List Test Results

By selecting “list test results” in a report, QL-PAY will format all of the test results entered 

within the sample set into a legible list. 

Selection of list test results report.

This report allows the user to review the entered data for accuracy and any discrepancies. See 

below for a sample printout of the listed test results report.

Listed test results from QL-PAY report.

Note: An asterisk (*) will be displayed adjacent to the sample number for any test result 

that has been excluded from the analysis. The user must save the file prior to running the 

report for the exclusion not to be considered in the analysis.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 32

4.2. Calculate Pay Factor

The pay factor report will list the Percent Within Limits (PWL) and pay factor for each property 

that is being evaluated in the sample set. 

Selection of calculate pay factor report.

Throughout the testing, the report will produce a projected final pay factor based on the 

current quality level and the estimated number of tests. A final pay factor will be reported 

when the number of inputted test results equals the estimated number of tests.

Quality levels and pay factors QL-PAY report.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 33

4.3. Histograms

A histogram shows where the data resides and how many results lie between specific values. 

Selection of histogram report.

These charts allow for easier viewing of data in a graphical manner.

Plotted histogram for #8 sieve in the sample set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 34

4.4. Null Hypothesis

The null hypothesis can only be used when two labs are being compared. 

Selection for generating the Null Hypothesis report.

When comparing the contractor lab to the central lab, the results should be similar but not 

identical. The null hypothesis is computed at a 0.01 significance level. 

The null hypothesis generates two analyses: independent and paired. An independent analysis 

compares the contractor’s test results that do not have corresponding government results with 

the results that have been recorded to date from the central lab. A paired analysis compares 

the corresponding contractor and government test results. The t statistic is used as a 

comparison of the mean values of the individual properties within the sample sets. The F 

statistic is used to analyze the variance of the data. Computed F and t values based on the 

inputted data are compared to critical F and t values that have been established using standard 

statistical methods.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 35

Two key questions to ask when reviewing the null hypothesis report are:

1) Are the Means similar? 

a. This is answered using the t statistic.

2) Are the variances similar?

a. This is answered using the F statistic.

Null hypothesis report from QL-PAY.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 36

4.5. Skewness and Kurtosis

Skewness and Kurtosis are parameters used to determine if the data is normally distributed.

Selection of Skewness and Kurtosis report.

The following is an example of how a skewness and kurtosis report would appear in QL-PAY.

Skewness and kurtosis report from QL-PAY.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 37

4.6. Control Charts

The set of control charts produced by QL-PAY depicts the data in relation to the specification 

limits. If an alternate lab has been selected, both sets of data will be plotted. 

Selection for generating a control chart report.

These charts are beneficial in evaluating the consistency between the two labs and can assist in 

evaluating the data if a bias exists. These charts are also valuable to use as production charts 

to help in visually assessing the consistency of the specific product or process.

Control chart from a QL-PAY report.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 38

4.7. Sample Set Differences

The sample set differences report shows the actual difference between the contractor and the 

central lab value on a sample by sample basis. The report will show differences for only those 

samples where a contractor and a central lab value exist. This report can only be used if a 

primary and an alternate lab are selected.

Selection showing the sample set differences report.

The +/- shows the numerical representation of the data viewed in the control charts if the two 

labs are selected. A sample of the printout for the sample set differences report is shown on 

the next page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 39

Report showing the sample set differences.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 40

4.8. Primary and Alternate Lab Selection

QL-PAY allows for the test results from the contractor’s lab to be compared with the results 

from an alternate lab. An alternate lab selection is mandatory if the “null hypothesis” or 

“sampleset differences” report options are selected. 

 Report specifications for lab comparison.

The primary lab will be affiliated with the sample set selected prior to selecting the reports 

function. Most times, the primary lab will be established as the contractor lab and the 

alternate lab will be the central lab for comparison purposes. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 41

4.9. Range of Sample Numbers

When using any of the report functions, the user can choose to use the entire set of test results 

in the sample set or select a range of data values to include in the analysis. The report 

selection page is automatically set to include all of the test results. If the user wants to 

generate a report including a range of test results, the “Range” button must be selected and 

the appropriate range entered in the fields. 

Specifying a range of sample numbers.

5. Importing/Exporting

When importing or exporting data files from QL-PAY, each file has a specific number sequence 

associated with the day it was created. The file name format is qlpf+YY+mm+dd+nnn.xml. For 

example, the file below would look like qlpf+12+01+26+001.xml; therefore, it was the first file 

created on January 26, 2012.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 42

5.1. Import

A. Find the location the imported files are being pulled from by looking in the “Imported Files 

Directory.”

Imported files directory.

B. Save the file to be imported in the above file directory.

C. Go to “Sample Sets” → “Import” → “Import Sample Sets.” A window will open showing the 

files available to be imported.

Importing a sample set.

D. Select the file(s) to be imported and select “Open.” A screen shot is shown on the 

following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 43

Selecting files to import from the file directory.

E. QL-PAY will analyze the existing and new lot(s) to be imported. This import process can be 

time consuming.

a. Existing Lots: A lot that has different test results than the existing lot in the user’s 

database. When importing an existing lot, the test results in the file being 

imported will overwrite the results already in the QL-PAY database. QL-Pay will not 

warn the user prior to overwriting the results.

If the properties of existing lots do not match the lots to be imported, QL-PAY will 

notify the user during the import process. A new version of a lot with more 

properties than the home lot cannot be imported. The home lot is the lot that 

exists in the user’s QL-PAY database at the time of importing. A screen shot of the 

user notification in the import window is shown on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 44

User notification of import lot with properties not in home lot.

In this case, the user will need to cancel the import session and either add the 

properties boxed in red to the home lot, or delete the entire home lot and then 

import the new version of the lot again.

The user will also be notified when property specifications do not match between 

the home lot and the new version of the lot to be imported. QL PAY will use home 

values for the conflicting property specifications if the lot is imported. See the 

screen shot on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 45

User notification of import version with property specification conflicts.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 46

b. New Lots: A lot that does not already exist in the user’s database. QL-PAY will 

prompt the user to Import or Skip each new lot in the file. If all new lots need to be 

imported, check the “Import All New Lots” (box 1 below). If the user does not want 

to import a specific lot, select “Skip this Lot” (box 3 below). 

Importing lot selection window.

F. The sample sets will have been brought into the QL-PAY viewing window and will be seen 

with a check-mark in the imported column. 

Recently imported sample sets showing the imported check-marks.

When the user ends the current session in the program, the imported files will no longer be 

check-marked. To remove the check-marks prior to ending the session, go to “Sample Sets” 

→ “Unmark recent imports.” 

Selection for unmarking recent imports.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 47

5.2. Export

Sample sets can be exported from QL-PAY in three separate ways: by the selected project, all 

projects, or selected sample sets.

a. Selected Project: This will export all sample sets associated with the project that is 

currently highlighted.

b. All Projects: This option will export all projects in the QL-PAY database.

c. Selected Sample Sets: This will only export the individual sample set(s) the user 

has selected.

A. Select the appropriate exporting function needed by going to “Sample Sets” → “Export” → 

“Export ______.” A screen shot of the export menu is shown on the following page.

Exporting sample set functions.

B. The data set(s) will be saved in a single file and sent to the export directory. This file can 

now be stored on the computer or sent electronically to be used by others.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 48

Exported file directory.

Note: Even if multiple sample sets are exported at one time, there will only be one file 

created. Files will accumulate in the export directory until removed by the user.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 49

6. Random Sampling

The random sampling function of QL-PAY is used to generate random numbers by quantity and 

stationing for use on the project. The contract requires certain items to be sampled at a specific 

frequency, thus calling for random sample numbers to be generated. QL-PAY is set up with 

stratified random sampling. This results in the random numbers being distributed throughout the 

entire sample section rather than constrained to a small portion of the sample area. 

6.1. Generating Random Number Reports

6.1.1. By Quantity

A. Select the “Sample Set” the user wants to generate a “Random Number Report” for.

B. Open the Random Sampling function by selecting “Reports” and then “Random 

Sampling.” 

Process to open the random sampling function.

C. Select the Interval Type as “By Quantity.”

D. Enter the appropriate data from the contract documents into the open fields. For 

this example, the contract calls for 18,000 tons of 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement, 

Gyratory mix with a sampling frequency of 1 per 700 tons, thus 26 random numbers 

would be needed. The random sampling window is shown on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 50

View of random sampling data entry.

E. Select “Generate.” A PDF report will appear with the generated random numbers. 

An example report is shown below.

Generated random number report.

Note: QL-Pay may generate reports not totaling the number of tests needed per the 

specifications. If this happens, adjustments may need to be made to the sample 

interval to generate the appropriate number of samples.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 51

F. The report can be saved by using the “save as” function in the generated PDF file.

Menu functions in Adobe Acrobat to save the random number report.

6.1.2. By Roadway Station

A. Select the “Sample Set” the user wants to generate a “Random Number Report” for.

B. Open the Random Sampling function by selecting “Reports” and then “Random 

Sampling.”

Process to open the random sampling function.

C. Select the Interval Type as “By Roadway Station” using the appropriate project units.

D. Enter the appropriate data from the contract documents. For this example, the 

contract calls for 18,000 tons of 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement, Gyratory mix with a 

sampling frequency of 1 per 700 tons, thus 26 random numbers will be needed.

a. Generally, projects will be paved in two lanes and two lifts. To ensure that 

samples are taken from each lane and lift, there will be four reports 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 52

generated with an equally distributed combination of bottom/top and 

left/right.

The random sample data entry window for roadway stationing is shown on the next 

page.

Random sampling data entry for roadway station.

Note: When entering the data in the fields, make sure to specify which lane 

the random numbers are generated for.

E. Select “Generate.” A PDF report will appear with the generated random numbers. 

Generated random number report.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 53

Note: QL-Pay may generate reports not totaling the number of tests needed per the 

specifications. If this happens, adjustments may need to be made to the sample 

interval to generate the appropriate number of samples.

F. The report can be saved by using the “save as” function in the generated PDF file.

Menu functions in Adobe Acrobat to save the random number report.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 54

7. Examples

This section will take the user through five different examples:

7.1. Section 301 Aggregate Courses Example...............................................................................52

7.2. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method – Control Strip

Example .................................................................................................................................70

7.3. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method – Full Production

Example .................................................................................................................................84

7.4. Section 552 Structural Concrete Example ...........................................................................104

7.5. Exporting Data Example.......................................................................................................117

The contract pages used for the QL-PAY setup examples are not specific to any project and should 

only be used for the following examples.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 55

7.1. Section 301

Aggregate Courses 

Example
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 56

7.1. Section 301 Aggregate Courses Example

This example will go through the process of setting up the sample set for 301 Aggregate Base 

Grading D.

Pay Item No. Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

30101-2000 Aggregate Base Grading D 10,000 TON $30.00 $300,000.00

TASK ORDER AWARD Contract No. DTFH70-99-D-0001

________________________________ River Contractors, Inc.

Solicitation No. DTFH70-08-R-00021 P.O. Box 223

West Glacier, MT 59936

MT PRA GLAC 10(64)

ASTER FALLS LOOKOUT ROAD AWARD DATE: March 10, 2015

Example Section 301. — UNTREATED AGGREGATE COURSES

Material

301.02 Conform to the following Subsections:

Subbase, base, and surface course aggregate 703.05

Water 725.01(c)

301.08 Acceptance. See Example Table 301-1 for sampling, testing, and acceptance requirements; including 

the category for quality characteristics.

Aggregate gradation and surface course plasticity index will be evaluated under Subsection 106.05. Other 

aggregate quality properties will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.

(a) Aggregate gradation. The upper and lower specification limits are equal to the calculated mean of all 

test results plus or minus the allowable deviations shown in Example Table 703-2 and Example Table 703-

3, except as follows:

(1) If the calculated mean value for a tested sieve exceeds the maximum gradation value shown in 

Example Table 703-2 or 703-3, the upper specification is equal to the maximum gradation value plus 

the allowable deviation, and the lower specification is equal to the maximum gradation value minus 

the allowable deviation.

(2) If the calculated mean value for a tested sieve is less than the minimum gradation value shown in 

Example Table 703-2 or 703-3, the upper specification is equal to the minimum gradation value plus 

the allowable deviation and the lower specification is equal to the minimum gradation value minus 

the allowable deviation.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 57

Example Table 301-1

Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements

Material or 

Product

(Subsection)

Type of 

Acceptance 

(Subsection)

Characteristic Category Test Methods 

Specifications

Sampling 

Frequency

Point of 

Sampling

Split 

Sample

Reporting 

Time Remarks

Base course 

grading C, D, & 

E

Statistical 

(106.05)

Gradation

AASHTO

T 27 & T 11

1 per 1000 tons

(900 metric 

tons)

From windrow 

or roadbed after 

processing

Yes 4 hours

3/8 Inch -

(9.5 mm) I

No. 4

(4.75 mm) I

No. 200

(75 μm) I

Other specified 

sieves II

Subbase & base 

course Grading 

A, B, C, D, & E

Measured and 

tested for 

conformance 

(106.04)

Liquid limit -

AASHTO

R 58 & T 89, 

Method A

1 per 1000 tons

(900 metric 

tons)

From windrow 

or roadbed after 

processing

Yes 4 hours -

Moisture-density 

(max density) - AASHTO T 180, method D(1)

1 per type & 

source of 

material

Stockpile or 

production 

output

” “ -

Density -

AASHTO T 310 

or other approved 

procedures

1 per 500 tons

(450 metric 

tons)

In-place after 

compaction No End of shift -

Moisture content 

(in-place) - “ “ “ “ “ -

Example Section 703. — AGGREGATE

703.05 Subbase, Base, and Surface Course Aggregate.

(a) General. Furnish hard, durable particles or fragments of crushed stone, crushed slag, or crushed gravel 

conforming the following:

(1) Los Angeles abrasion, AASHTO T 96 50 percent max.

(2) Soundness of aggregate using sodium sulfate, 12 percent loss max.

AASHTO T 104 (5 cycles)

(3) Durability index (coarse), AASHTO T 210 35 min.

(4) Durability index (fine), AASHTO T 210 35 min.

(5) Fractured faces, ASTM D5821 50 percent min.

(6) Without organic matter and lumps or balls of clay

(b) Subbase or base aggregate. In addition to Subsection 703.05(a), conform to the following:

(1) Gradation Example Table 703-2

(2) Liquid limit, AASHTO T 89 25 max.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 58

Example Table 703-2

Target Value Ranges for Subbase and Base Gradation

Sieve Size

Percent by Mass Passing Designated Sieve (AASHTO T 27 and T 11)

Grading Designation

A (Subbase) B (Subbase) C (Base) D (Base) E (Base)

2 1⁄2 inch (63 mm) 100

2 inch (50 mm) 97 – 100 100 100

1 1⁄2 inch (37.5 mm) 97 – 100

1 inch (25 mm) 65 - 79 (6) 80 – 100 (6) 100

3⁄4 inch (19 mm) 64 – 94 (6) 86 – 100 (6) 100

1⁄2 inch (12.5 mm) 45 - 59 (7)

3/8 inch (9.5mm) 40 – 69 (6) 51 – 82 (6) 62 – 90 (6)

No. 4 (4.75 mm) 28 – 42 (6) 40 – 60 (8) 31 – 54 (6) 36 – 64 (6) 36 – 74 (6)

No. 40 (425 μm) 9 – 17 (4) 12 – 26 (4) 12 – 26 (4)

No. 200 (75 μm) 4.0 – 8.0 (3) 4.0 – 12.0 (4) 4.0 – 7.0 (3) 4.0 – 7.0 (3) 4.0 – 7.0 (3)

( ) The value in the parentheses is the allowable deviation (±) from the target values.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 59

Initial view when opening QL-PAY.

A. Enter data in the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set” fields

a. Contract Number: This can be found on the front cover of the contract. For this example 

it is DTFH70-99-D-0001. 

b. Item: Place the Item Number in this field. This example will begin with 301 Aggregate 

Base Grading D (30101-2000).

c. Lot: Generally speaking, there is only one lot for each item; therefore, the sample sets 

will always begin with Lot “1.” 

d. Lab: Determine the lab the user will be using for the test results. Typically, there will be a 

“Central Lab” and “Contractor Lab” sample set for each item. 

View after entering data into the sample set box.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 60

B. Specifications

a. Click on “Specifications.” 

Selecting property specifications.

b. Enter the Project Name and Number from the contract cover page into the

corresponding fields.

Project Name and Number under the specifications window.

c. Select the appropriate template from the drop down menu under “Property 

Specifications.” For this example, choose FP-14, 301- Base, Grading D. By selecting this 

template, the majority of the specification has already been entered into the program 

and only minor changes will need to be completed.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 61

View after entering project name and number and selecting the template.

C. Adjusting Property Specifications to Match Contract

a. After opening the specifications dialog box and selecting a template, the Sampling, 

Testing, and Acceptance Requirements will be needed to finish inputting the correct 

data.

b. To adjust the properties, highlight the property in the lower table to adjust and click on 

the “Target Specs” button. 

Highlight the property and select Target Specs.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 62

This will bring up a new window to enter the testing parameters for the particular 

property. Determine the testing parameters for each property and select the 

appropriate target specifications, i.e. min, max, etc. 

In this example, highlight the “3/4 inch” property in the lower table and select “Target 

Specs.” Each field that is not grayed out will need to be filled in with data from either 

the sampling and testing specification, material specification or the mix design.

View of the Target Specifications window.

i. The criticality level is found in Example Table 301-1 under category. The 3⁄4” 

sieve is a category 2.

ii. The target specification for the 3⁄4” sieve is the mean. This is found in the 

Acceptance Subsection of 301 Untreated Aggregate Courses. The allowable 

deviation and the low/high value can be found under Example Table 703-2 

Target Value Ranges for Subbase and Base Gradation. The values have already 

been entered in to the fields as part of the template but the user should verify 

that the values correlate with the specifications in the contract.

c. The estimated number of tests needs to be the actual number of tests that will be taken 

throughout the project. This number can be changed at a later date if the number of 

tests increases or decreases, but the final number of tests taken should be reflected 

under each property at the completion of the item. To determine the number of tests, 

divide the contract quantity for the item by the sampling frequency and use that value 

for all of the estimated number of tests. For this example, the contract requires 10,000 

tons and the sampling frequency is 1 per 1000 tons (from Example Table 301-1); 

therefore, the estimated number will be 10 tests for this project.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 63

3⁄4” sieve entered target specs.

d. After the target specifications are entered, click “OK” and proceed to adjusting the 

remainder of the properties. 

e. Due to using the template, there are additional properties in the property specifications 

than are called for in the sampling and testing requirements. The additional properties 

can be removed in two ways, either by selecting the row to delete and select the button 

that states “Delete selected rows” or the user can press the “delete” key on the 

keyboard. 

Deleting the selected property specification.

For this example remove the SE and SE/P property specifications.

f. When finished entering all of the properties, click “Save and Close.” This is shown on the 

following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 64

View of completed target specifications prior to selecting Save & Close.

Note: If the user presses “Quit,” none of the changes made to the specifications will be 

saved and it will resort back to the data that was entered prior to opening the 

specification set.

D. Creating a Secondary Lab Sample Set in the same Lot

a. From the home screen of the QL-PAY program, press the “Clear Fields” button located in 

the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set(s)” box or in the Sample Sets drop down menu. 

This is shown on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 65

Operating the clear fields function.

b. Highlight the sample set to create a secondary lab and select the “Copy to Fields” button. 

This will copy the project information to be used for the new sample set. 

Selecting copy to fields after highlighting sample set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 66

c. In the “Laboratory” drop down menu, choose “Central Lab.”

View after selecting copying fields and Central Lab.

d. Click on “Specifications.” The specifications should be identical to the original sample 

set. Once the property specifications have been reviewed for accuracy, select “Save and 

Close.”

View of copied target specifications for the Central Lab.

e. QL-PAY is now set up to handle all of the 30101 sampling and testing for the project.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 67

E. Entering Test Results

a. Highlight the sample set that the user has test results for.

b. Select the “Test Results” button at the lower right of the window or the “Test Results” 

drop down menu.

Locations that can be selected to enter test results.

c. Begin entering the test result data, starting with Sample #1. Make sure to include 

consecutive sample numbers when entering in the test result data, i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc.

View of consecutive test results being entered.

d. Three test results are needed before a statistical analysis can be computed.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 68

e. When entering test results for the central lab on split samples, make sure the test 

numbers match the corresponding contractor test result sample number or the analysis 

will not be valid.

f. Select “Save and Close” when all of the test results have been entered into the program.

F. Calculating Pay Factor

a. Highlight the sample set for the contractor’s lab and select the “Pay factor” under the 

reports drop down menu.

Selecting the pay factor report for the contractor’s lab.

b. The reports menu will appear. By selecting the “Pay factor” report, the “Calculate pay 

factor” button should already be checked. If not, select only the pay factor button and 

then select “OK.”

Pay factor report selection.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 69

c. QL-PAY will produce a PDF report calculating the pay factor for the test results that have 

been entered under the sample set. When the estimated number of tests have been 

completed, QL-PAY will note that the testing has been completed and the final pay factor 

value.

The view below shows the final pay factor for Aster Falls Lookout Road. When using the 

“mean” property specification, QL-PAY will adjust the target value to the mean of the 

samples unless the target value falls outside of the range in the contract specifications. 

This is shown when comparing the “Actual target value” column to the “Mean” column. 

Pay factor report printout with 3/8” sieve out of specification limit.

When reviewing the 3/8” sieve, the contract specifications state the range for the target 

value is between 51.0 and 82.0. After all of the sampling was completed, the mean for the 

3/8” sieve was 47.39. This value is outside of the property specification; therefore, QL-PAY 

automatically sets the target value to the lowest value (51.00) within the specification range. 

This change can be seen highlighted in red in the above QL-PAY report.

Note: The “Calculate Pay Factor” report was selected for example purposes only. For more 

information on other available reports see Section 4 Reports.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 70

7.2. Section 401

Asphalt Concrete Pavement by 

Gyratory Mix Design Method –

Control Strip 

Example
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 71

7.2. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method –Control Strip 

Example

This example will go through the process of setting up the sample sets for the control strip of

401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement, Gyratory Mix.

Pay Item

No. Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

40101-1000

Asphalt Concrete Pavement, 

Gyratory Mix, 3⁄4” Nominal Max. 

Size Aggregate, 0.3 to < 3 

Million ESAL 

18,000 TON $138.00 $2,484,000.00

TASK ORDER AWARD Contract No. DTFH70-99-D-0001

________________________________ River Contractors, Inc.

Solicitation No. DTFH70-08-R-00021 P.O. Box 223

West Glacier, MT 59936

MT PRA GLAC 10(64)

ASTER FALLS LOOKOUT ROAD AWARD DATE: March 10, 2015
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 72

Example Section 401. — ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT BY GYRATORY MIX DESIGN METHOD

Material

401.02 Conform to the following Subsections:

Antistrip additive 702.05

Asphalt binder 702.01

Asphalt concrete aggregate 703.07

Mineral filler 725.05

401.12 Production Start-Up Procedures.

(b) Control strip. Provide 7 days notice before beginning production of an asphalt concrete mix.

On the first day of production, produce sufficient asphalt concrete mix to construct a 1000-foot (300-meter)

long control strip, one-lane wide, and at the designated lift thickness. Construct the control strip on the 

project at an approved location.

Construct the control strip using asphalt concrete mix production, lay-down, and compaction procedures 

intended for the entire mix. Cease production after construction of the control strip until the asphalt concrete 

mix and the control strip are evaluated for acceptance.

(1) Mixture. Take and test at least three control strip asphalt concrete mix samples and evaluate 

according to Subsection 401.17. The asphalt concrete mix is acceptable if all test results are within 

specification limits for asphalt content and VMA; and the calculated pay factor for asphalt content, 

VMA, and gradation is 0.90 or greater.

(2) Compaction. Compact according to Subsection 401.14. Take nuclear gauge density readings 

behind each roller pass to determine the roller pattern necessary to achieve required density.

Take nuclear gauge density readings and cut and test core samples according to Table 401-8. 

Density is acceptable if the core density pay factor is 0.90 or greater. Furnish the CO with 

documented nuclear gauge readings correlated to core specific gravities.

Repeat the control strip process until an acceptable control strip is produced. See Subsection 106.01 for the 

disposition of material in unacceptable control strips. Accepted control strips may remain in place and will 

be accepted and measured as a part of the completed pavement. Tests used for the control strip will not be 

included in the evaluation for payment according to Subsection 106.05. When a control strip is verified and 

accepted, full production may begin.

Use these start-up procedures when producing material from a different plant or when resuming production 

after a termination of production due to unsatisfactory quality according to Subsection 106.05.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 73

Example Section 401. — ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT BY GYRATORY MIX DESIGN METHOD

401.17 Acceptance. See Table 401-8 for sampling, testing, and acceptance requirements.

Aggregate quality properties will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.

Mineral filler, antistrip additives, and WMA additives will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.03.

Asphalt content, VMA, and core density will be evaluated under Subsection 106.05. Pavement roughness will 

be evaluated under Subsection 106.04. Asphalt binder will be evaluated under Subsections 106.03 and 106.04. 

Evaluations will consider the following:

(a) Asphalt content. The upper and lower specification limits are the approved JMF target value plus or 

minus 0.4 percent;

(b) VMA. The lower specification limit is the value shown in Example Table 401-1. After the JMF has 

been verified according to Subsections 401.03 and 401.12, use the Contractor’s combined coarse and fine 

bulk specific gravity of aggregate Gsb values to calculate VMA on field produced asphalt concrete mix 

samples;

(c) Density (core). The lower specification limit is 91.0 percent of the maximum specific gravity (density) 

determined according to AASHTO T 166 and T 209.

The percent compaction will be determined using the average maximum specific gravity (AASHTO T 209) 

from all samples tested each day;

(d) Pavement roughness. The evaluation for pavement will be made after all defective areas are addressed. 

See Subsection 401.16(g); and

(e) Asphalt binder. The pay factor is determined from Table 401-7.

Construction of the HMA or WMA pavement course will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 74

Example Table 401-1

Gyratory Asphalt Concrete Mix Design Requirements, AASHTO R 35

Design 

ESAL

(Million)

Gyratory Compaction Level

(% Theoretical Maximum 

Specific Gravity, Gmm)

AASHTO T 312

Minimum Voids-in-the Mineral Aggregate (VMA), % (1)

Voids 

Filled with 

Asphalt 

(VFA), %

Dust-toBinder 

Ratio (3)

Minimum 

Tensile 

Strength 

Ratio, 

AASHTO T 

283

Nominal Maximum Size Aggregate (2)

Ninitial Ndesign Nmax

1 inch

(25mm)

3⁄4 inch

(19mm)

1⁄2 inch

(12.5mm)

3⁄8 inch

(9.5mm)

#4 sieve

(4.75 mm)

< 0.3 6

(≤91.5%)

50

(96.0%)

75

(≤98.0%)

12.0–

15.0 13.0-16.0 14.0-17.0 15.0-18.0

- 70.0 - 80.0

0.8 -1.6

0.80

0.3 to < 3 7

(≤90.5%)

75

(96.0%)

115

(≤98.0%) 65.0 - 78.0

3 to 30 8

(≤89.0%)

100

(96.0%)

160

(≤98.0%) 65.0 - 78.0

- 6

(≤91.5%)

50

(96.0%)

75

(≤98.0%)

- - - - 16.0 -19.0

76.0 – 80.0 0.6 – 2.0

Example Table 401–8

Sampling, Testing and Acceptance Requirements

Material or 

Product

(Subsection)

Type of 

Acceptance 

(Subsection)

Characteristic Category

Test Method 

Specifications Sampling 

Frequency

Point of 

Sampling

Split 

Sample

Reporting 

Time

Remarks

Production Start-up (control strip)

Asphalt 

concrete 

pavement

Statistical

(106.05)

Gradation AASHTO

T 30

3 minimum Behind the paver 

before compaction

Yes 6 hours -

No. 4 (4.75 

mm)

I

No. 30 (600 

μm)

I

No. 200 (75 

μm)

I

Other specified 

sieves

II

Asphalt content I AASHTO

T 308

“ “ “ “ -

VMA I AASHTO

R 35

“ “ “ “ -

Density I AASHTO T 166 5 minimum In-place after 

compacting

” 24 hours Deliver cores to 

CO after 

determining 

specific gravity 

and compaction

Measured 

and tested 

for 

conformance

(106.04)

Mix 

temperature

– - 3 minimum Hauling vehicle 

before dumping or 

windrow before 

pickup 

No Immediately 

upon 

completion 

of test

-

Maximum 

specific gravity

– AASHTO

T 209

First load and as 

determined by 

CO thereafter

Behind the paver 

before compaction

Yes 24 hours -
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 75

Example 401 Superpave Hot Asphalt Concrete Mix Design.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 76

Initial view when opening QL-PAY.

A. Enter data in the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set” fields

a. Contract Number: This can be found on the front cover of the contract. For this example 

it is DTFH70-99-D-0001.

b. Item: Place the Item Number in this field. This example will begin with 401 Asphalt 

Concrete Pavement, Gyratory Mix (40101-1000).

c. Lot: To distinguish between production testing and the control strip, set the Lot as “TS1,”

for test strip 1. By labeling the Lot as “TS1,” the user has the opportunity to create a 

sequence of additional sample sets if multiple test strips are required.

d. Laboratory: Select “Contractor Lab” in the drop down menu. The “Contractor Lab” is 

typically used for a control strip, due to the testing being completed on-site. 

View after entering data into the sample set box.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 77

B. Specifications

a. Click on “Specifications.” 

Selecting property specifications.

b. Enter the Project Name and Number from the contract cover page into the 

corresponding fields.

Project Name and Number under the specifications window.

c. Select the appropriate template from the drop down menu under “Property 

Specifications.” For this example, choose FP-14, 401 – Gyratory Method (3/4 inch 

nominal maximum) – Control Strip. By selecting this template, the majority of the 

specification has already been entered into the program and only minor changes will 

need to be completed. The screen view of the template selection is shown on the 

following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 78

View after entering project name and number and selecting the template.

C. Adjusting Property Specifications to Match Contract

a. After opening the specifications dialog box and selecting a template, the Sampling, 

Testing, and Acceptance Requirements along with information from the asphalt mix 

design will be needed to finish inputting the correct data.

b. To adjust the properties, highlight the property in the lower table to adjust and click on 

the “Target Specs” button. This will bring up a new window to enter the testing 

parameters for the particular property. Determine the testing parameters for each 

property and select the appropriate target specifications, i.e. min, max, etc. This is shown 

on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 79

Highlight the property and selecting Target Specs.

In this example, highlight the “1/2” property in the lower table and select “Target Specs.” 

Each field that is not grayed out will need to be filled in with data from either the 

sampling and testing specification, material specification or the mix design.

View of the target specifications window.

i. The criticality level is found in Example Table 401-2 under category. 1⁄2 inch 

gradation is a category 2.

ii. The target specification for 1⁄2 inch gradation is +/- dev. The allowable deviation 

can be found in the Section 703. For this example, the values stated in the mix 

design will be assumed to be accurate. The target value will be the value 

stated in the mix design. In this case, using the mix design, the target value is 

83.0 and the allowable deviation is 4. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 80

c. The estimated number of tests is established in the specifications for the construction of 

the control strip. For a control strip, the specifications state there will be 3 mix samples

and 5 core samples taken for evaluation.

1⁄2” entered target specs.

d. After the target specifications are entered, click “OK” and proceed to adjusting the 

remainder of the properties. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 81

View of completed control strip target specifications.

e. When finished entering all of the properties, click “Save and Close.” If the user presses 

“Quit,” none of the changes made to the specifications will be saved and it will resort 

back to the data that was entered prior to opening the specification set.

D. Creating a Secondary Lab Sample Set in the same Lot

Note: Depending on the project circumstances and timing, it may be difficult and/or 

unwarranted to obtain verification from a second lab prior to starting full production.

a. From the home screen of the QL-PAY program, press the “Clear Fields” button located in 

the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set(s)” box or in the “Sample Sets” drop down 

menu. This is shown on the following page. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 82

Operating the clear fields function.

b. Highlight the sample set to create a secondary lab and select the “Copy to Fields” button

or in the “Sample Sets” drop down menu. This will copy the project information to be 

used for the new sample set.

Select copy to fields after highlighting sample set.

c. In the “Laboratory” drop down menu, choose “Central Lab.” This is shown on the 

following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 83

View after selecting Copy to fields and Central Lab.

d. Click on “Specifications.” The specifications should be identical to the original sample 

set. Once the property specifications have been reviewed for accuracy, select “Save and 

Close.”

View of copied target specifications for the Central Lab.

e. QL-PAY is now set up to handle all of the 40101 sampling and testing for the project.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 84

E. Entering Test Results

a. Highlight the sample set that the user has test results for.

b. Select the “Test Results” button at the lower right of the window or the “Test Results” 

drop down menu.

Locations that can be selected to enter test results.

c. Begin entering the test result data, starting with Sample #1. Make sure to include 

consecutive sample numbers when entering in the test result data, i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc.

View of consecutive test results being entered.

d. Three test results are needed before a statistical analysis can be computed.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 85

e. When entering test results for the central lab on split samples, make sure the test 

numbers match the corresponding contractor test result sample number or the analysis 

will not be valid.

F. Calculating Pay Factor

a. Highlight the sample set for the contractor’s lab and select the “Pay factor” under the 

reports drop down menu.

Selecting the pay factor report for the contractor’s lab.

b. The reports menu will appear. By selecting the “Pay factor” report, the “Calculate pay 

factor” button should already be checked. If not, select only the pay factor button and 

then select “OK.” See the next page for the pay factor report selection.

Pay factor report selection.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 86

c. QL-PAY will produce a PDF report calculating the pay factor for the test results that have 

been entered under the sample set. When the estimated number of tests have been 

completed, QL-PAY will note that the testing has been completed and the final pay factor 

value.

The view below shows the final pay factor for the control strip on Aster Falls Lookout 

Road. When multiple quality characteristics are being evaluated, the lowest pay factor of 

the individual characteristics is the controlling pay factor. This is shown on the following 

page on the pay factor printout. The quality characteristics have a 1.00 and 1.01 for the 

pay factors in each category, thus the 1.00 is used for the overall final pay factor for the 

item.

Note: The “Calculate Pay Factor” report was selected for example purposes only. For 

more information on other available reports see Section 4 Reports.

Pay factor report with item receiving contract price.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 87

7.3. Section 401

Asphalt Concrete Pavement by 

Gyratory Mix Design Method – Full 

Production 

Example
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 88

7.3. Section 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method – Full Production 

Example

This example will go through the process of setting up the sample sets for the main production 

of 401 Asphalt Concrete Pavement, Gyratory Mix.

Pay Item

No. Item Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount

40101-1000

Asphalt Concrete Pavement, 

Gyratory Mix, 3⁄4” Nominal Max. 

Size Aggregate, 0.3 to < 3 

Million ESAL 

18,000 TON $138.00 $2,484,000.00

TASK ORDER AWARD Contract No. DTFH70-99-D-0001

________________________________ River Contractors, Inc.

Solicitation No. DTFH70-08-R-00021 P.O. Box 223

West Glacier, MT 59936

MT PRA GLAC 10(64)

ASTER FALLS LOOKOUT ROAD AWARD DATE: March 10, 2015
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 89

Example Section 401. — ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT BY GYRATORY MIX DESIGN METHOD

Material

401.02 Conform to the following Subsections:

Antistrip additive 702.05

Asphalt binder 702.01

Asphalt concrete aggregate 703.07

Mineral filler 725.05

401.17 Acceptance. See Table 401-8 for sampling, testing, and acceptance requirements.

Aggregate quality properties will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.

Mineral filler, antistrip additives, and WMA additives will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.03.

Asphalt content, VMA, and core density will be evaluated under Subsection 106.05. Pavement roughness will 

be evaluated under Subsection 106.04. Asphalt binder will be evaluated under Subsections 106.03 and 106.04. 

Evaluations will consider the following:

(a) Asphalt content. The upper and lower specification limits are the approved JMF target value plus or 

minus 0.4 percent;

(b) VMA. The lower specification limit is the value shown in Example Table 401-1. After the JMF has 

been verified according to Subsections 401.03 and 401.12, use the Contractor’s combined coarse and fine 

bulk specific gravity of aggregate Gsb values to calculate VMA on field produced asphalt concrete mix 

samples;

(c) Density(core). The lower specification limit is 91.0 percent of the maximum specific gravity (density) 

determined according to AASHTO T 166 and T 209.

The percent compaction will be determined using the average maximum specific gravity (AASHTO T 209) 

from all samples tested each day;

(d) Pavement roughness. The evaluation for pavement will be made after all defective areas are addressed. 

See Subsection 401.16(g); and

(e) Asphalt binder. The pay factor is determined from Table 401-7.

Construction of the HMA or WMA pavement course will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 90

Example Table 401-1

Gyratory Asphalt Concrete Mix Design Requirements, AASHTO R 35

Design 

ESAL

(Million)

Gyratory Compaction Level

(% Theoretical Maximum 

Specific Gravity, Gmm)

AASHTO T 312

Minimum Voids-in-the Mineral Aggregate (VMA), % Voids 

Filled with 

Asphalt 

(VFA), %

Dust-toBinder 

Ratio 

Minimum 

Tensile 

Strength 

Ratio, 

AASHTO T 

283

Nominal Maximum Size Aggregate 

Ninitial Ndesign Nmax

1 inch

(25mm)

3⁄4 inch

(19mm)

1⁄2 inch

(12.5mm)

3⁄8 inch

(9.5mm)

#4 sieve

(4.75 mm)

< 0.3 6

(≤91.5%)

50

(96.0%)

75

(≤98.0%)

12.0–15.0 13.0-16.0 14.0-17.0 15.0-18.0 -

70.0 - 80.0

0.8 -1.6

0.80

0.3 to < 3 7

(≤90.5%)

75

(96.0%)

115

(≤98.0%) 65.0 - 78.0

3 to 30 8

(≤89.0%)

100

(96.0%)

160

(≤98.0%) 65.0 - 78.0

- 6

(≤91.5%)

50

(96.0%)

75

(≤98.0%) - - - - 16.0 -19.0 76.0 – 80.0 0.6 – 2.0

Example Table 401-8

Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements

Material or 

Product

(Subsection)

Type of 

Acceptance 

(Subsection)

Characteristic Category Test Methods 

Specifications

Sampling 

Frequency Point of Sampling SplitSample Reporting Time Remarks

Production

Asphalt 

concrete 

pavement

Statistical

(106.05)

Asphalt content I AASHTO T 308 1 per 700 tons 

(650 metric tons)

Behind the paver

before compaction Yes 6 hours -

VMA I AASHTO R 35 “ “ “ “ -

Density I AASHTO T 166 “ In-place after 

compacting “ 24 hours

Deliver cores 

to CO after 

testing is 

completed

Measured and 

tested

for conformance 

(106.04)

Placement 

temperature - -

First load and as 

determined by CO 

thereafter

Hauling vehicle 

before dumping, or 

windrow before 

pickup

No

Immediately 

upon completion 

of measurement

-

Maximum

specific gravity - AASHTO T 209 Minimum 1 per day

Behind the paver 

before compaction Yes 24 hours -

Asphalt 

binder 

(702.01)

Measured and 

tested for 

conformance 

(106.04)

Quality See Table 

401-7 AASHTO M 320

1 per 2000 tons 

(1800 metric tons) 

of mix

In line between tank 

and mixing plant

Yes, 2 1-

quart (1-liter) 

samples

- Test by 

Government
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 91

Example Table 401-7

Asphalt Binder Pay Factor Table

Tests on Original Specifications Pay Factor =

1.01 1.00 0.95 0.90 0.75 Reject

Dynamic shear rheometer, kPa ≥ 1.00 ≥ 1.17 1.16 - 1.00 0.99 - 0.89 0.88 - 0.77 0.76 - 0.50 < 0.50

Tests after Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)

Dynamic shear rheometer, kPa ≥ 2.20 ≥ 2.69 2.68 - 2.20 2.19 - 1.96 1.95 - 1.43 1.42 - 1.10 < 1.10

Tests on Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV)

Dynamic shear rheometer, kPa < 5,000 4,711 < 4,712 - 5,000 5,001 - 5,289 5,290 - 5,578 5,579 - 5,867 > 5,867

Bending beam rheometer, s, MPa ≤ 300 ≤ 247 248 - 300 301 - 338 339 - 388 389 - 449 ≥ 450

Bending beam rheometer, m-value ≥ 0.300 ≥ 0.320 0.319 - 0.300 0.299 - 0.294 0.293 - 0.278 0.277 - 0.261 < 0.261
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 92

Example 401 Superpave Hot Asphalt Concrete Mix Design.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 93

Initial view when opening QL-PAY.

A. Enter data in the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set” fields

a. Contract Number: This can be found on the front cover of the contract. For this example 

it is DTFH70-99-D-0001.

b. Item: Place the Item Number in this field. This example will begin with 401 Asphalt 

Concrete Pavement, Gyratory Mix (40101-1000).

c. Lot: Generally speaking, there is only one lot for each item; therefore, the full production 

sample sets will always begin with Lot “1.” 

d. Laboratory: Determine the lab the user will be using for the test results. Typically, there 

will be a “Central Lab” and “Contractor Lab” sample set for each item. 

View after entering data into the sample set box.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 94

B. Specifications

a. Click on “Specifications.” 

Selecting property specifications.

b. Enter the Project Name and Number from the contract cover page into the 

corresponding fields.

Project Name and Number under the specifications window.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 95

c. Select the appropriate template from the drop down menu under “Property 

Specifications.” For this example, choose FP-14, 401 – Gyratory Method (3/4 inch 

nominal maximum) – Full Production. By selecting this template, the majority of the 

specification has already been entered into the program and only minor changes will 

need to be completed. The screen view of the template selection is shown below page.

View after entering project name and number and selecting the template.

C. Adjusting Property Specifications to Match Contract

a. After opening the specifications dialog box and selecting a template, the Sampling, 

Testing, and Acceptance Requirements along with information from the asphalt mix 

design will be needed to finish inputting the correct data.

b. To adjust the properties, highlight the property in the lower table to adjust and click on 

the “Target Specs” button. This will bring up a new window to enter the testing 

parameters for the particular property. Determine the testing parameters for each 

property and select the appropriate target specifications, i.e. min, max, etc. 
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 96

Highlight the property and select Target Specs.

In this example, highlight the “AC-m” property in the lower table and select “Target 

Specs.” Each field that is not grayed out will need to be filled in with data from either 

the sampling and testing specification, material specification or the mix design.

View of the target specifications window.

i. The criticality level is found in Example Table 401-8 under category. Asphalt 

Content is a category 1.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 97

ii. The target specification for asphalt content is +/- dev. The allowable deviation 

can be found in Subsection 401.17 Acceptance within the Asphalt Concrete 

Pavement by Gyratory Mix Design Method specification. The target value will 

be the value stated in the mix design. In this case, using the mix design and 

401.17, the target value is 4.9 and the allowable deviation is 0.4. 

c. The estimated number of tests needs to be the actual number of tests that will be taken 

throughout the project. This number can be changed at a later date if the number of 

tests increases or decreases, but the final number of tests taken should be reflected 

under each property at the completion of the item. To determine the number of tests, 

divide the contract quantity for the item by the sampling frequency and use that value 

for all of the estimated number of tests. For this example, the contract requires 18,000 

tons and the sampling frequency is 1 per 700 tons (from Example Table 401-8); therefore, 

the estimated number will be 26 tests for this project.

AC-m entered target specs.

d. After the target specifications are entered, click “OK” and proceed to adjusting the 

remainder of the properties. 

e. The Asphalt Binder is tested at a frequency of 1 per 2000 tons of mix (Example Table 401-

8). For this example, the contract requires 18,000 tons; therefore, the estimated number 

will be 9 binder tests for this project. Once all of the properties have been adjusted for 

the full production, the screen should be identical to the view on the following page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 98

View of completed full production target specifications.

f. When finished entering all of the properties, click “Save and Close.” If the user presses 

“Quit,” none of the changes made to the specifications will be saved and it will resort 

back to the data that was entered prior to opening the specification set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 99

D. Creating a Secondary Lab Sample Set in the same Lot

a. From the home screen of the QL-PAY program, press the “Clear Fields” button located in 

the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set(s)” box or in the Sample Sets drop down menu. 

Operating the clear fields function.

b. Highlight the sample set to create a secondary lab and select the “Copy to Fields” button. 

This will copy the project information to be used for the new sample set.

Select copy to fields after highlighting sample set.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 100

c. In the “Laboratory” drop down menu, choose “Central Lab.”

View after selecting Copy to fields and Central Lab.

d. Click on “Specifications.” The specifications should be identical to the original sample 

set. Once the property specifications have been reviewed for accuracy, select “Save and 

Close.”

View of copied target specifications for the Central Lab.

e. QL-PAY is now set up to handle all of the 40101 sampling and testing for the project.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 101

E. Entering Test Results

a. Highlight the sample set that the user has test results for.

b. Select the “Test Results” button at the lower right of the window or the “Test Results” 

drop down menu.

Locations that can be selected to enter test results.

c. Begin entering the test result data, starting with Sample #1. Make sure to include 

consecutive sample numbers when entering in the test result data, i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc.

View of consecutive test results being entered.

d. Three test results are needed before a statistical analysis can be computed.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 102

e. When entering test results for the central lab on split samples, make sure the test 

numbers match the corresponding contractor test result sample number or the analysis 

will not be valid.

F. Calculating Pay Factor

d. Highlight the sample set for the contractor’s lab and select the “Pay factor” under the 

reports drop down menu.

Selecting the pay factor report for the contractor’s lab.

e. The reports menu will appear. By selecting the “Pay factor” report, the “Calculate pay 

factor” button should already be checked. If not, select only the pay factor button and 

then select “OK.” See the next page for the pay factor report selection.

Pay factor report selection.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 103

f. QL-PAY will produce a PDF report calculating the pay factor for the test results that have 

been entered under the sample set. When the estimated number of tests have been 

completed, QL-PAY will note that the testing has been completed and the final pay factor 

value.

The view below shows the final pay factor for Aster Falls Lookout Road. When multiple 

quality characteristics are being evaluated, the lowest pay factor of the individual 

characteristics is the controlling pay factor. This is shown on the following page on the 

pay factor printout. The quality characteristics have a 1.02, 1.05, and a 1.02 for the pay

factors in each category, thus the 1.02 is used for the overall final pay factor for the item.

Note: The “Calculate Pay Factor” report was selected for example purposes only. For 

more information on other available reports see Section 4 Reports.

Pay factor report with item receiving a 2% bonus.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 104

7.4. Section 552

Structural Concrete

Example
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 105

7.4. Section 552 Structural Concrete Example

This example will go through the process of setting up the sample sets for the sampling of 552 

Structural Concrete.

Pay Item No. Item Quantity Unit Unit 

Price Amount

55201-0800 Structural Concrete, Class D (AE) 400 CUYD $900.00 $360,000.00

TASK ORDER AWARD Contract No. DTFH70-99-D-0001

________________________________ River Contractors, Inc.

Solicitation No. DTFH70-08-R-00021 P.O. Box 223

West Glacier, MT 59936

MT PRA GLAC 10(64)

ASTER FALLS LOOKOUT ROAD AWARD DATE: March 10, 2015

Example Section 552. — STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

552.20 Acceptance. See Example Table 552-9 for sampling, testing and acceptance requirements and the 

quality characteristic category.

Material for concrete will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.03. Furnish production certifications 

with each shipment cementitious material.

The concrete mixture's slump, air content, density, and temperature will be evaluated under Subsections 106.02 

and 106.04.

Concrete compressive strength will be evaluated under Subsection 106.05. The lower specification limit is the 

minimum required compressive strength at 28 days (fc’) specified in the contract. Remove and replace concrete 

represented by cylinders having a compressive strength less than 90 percent of the minimum 28-day strength 

(f’c).

Construction (including batching, placing, finishing, and curing concrete) of concrete structures will be 

evaluated under Subsections 106.02 and 106.04.

Falsework and forms will be evaluated under Section 562.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 106

Example Table 552-9

Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements

Material or 

Product

(Subsection)

Type of 

Acceptance 

(Subsection)

Characteristic Category Test Methods 

Specifications

Sampling 

Frequency

Point of 

Sampling

Split 

Sample

Reporting 

Time Remarks

Concrete 

(552.09(b))

Measured 

and tested 

for 

conformance 

(106.04)

Density - AASHTO T 121 1 per load 

after at least 

0.25 yd3

(0.2m3

) is 

discharged

Point of 

discharge

No

Upon 

completing 

tests

-

Air content - AASHTO T 152 or 

AASHTO T 196 No -

Slump - AASHTO T 119 No -

Temperature - Field measured No -

Concrete 

(552.09(b)

Statistical 

(106.05)

Compressive 

strength

(28-day)

II AASHTO T 23 & T 

22

1 set per 30 

yd3 (25 m3

) 

but not less 

than 1 per day 

and not less 

than 5 sets 

total

Discharge 

stream at 

point of 

placing

Yes 28 days

Deliver 

verification 

cylinders to 

the CO or 

designated 

laboratory 

for 

scheduled 

testing

Initial view when opening QL-PAY.

A. Enter data in the “Identify New or Existing Sample Set” fields.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 107

a. Contract Number: This can be found on the front cover of the contract. For this example 

it is DTFH70-99-D-0001. 

b. Item: Place the Item Number in this field. This example will begin with 552 Structural 

Concrete (55201-0800).

c. Lot: Generally speaking, there is only one lot for each item; therefore, the full production 

sample sets will always begin with Lot “1.” 

d. Laboratory: Determine the lab that will be providing the test results. Typically, there will 

only be one reporting laboratory for the structural concrete item. Determine from the 

contract who is responsible for testing the concrete cylinders for compressive strength. 

See Example Table 552-9 for the sampling and testing requirements. 

View after entering data into the sample set box.

B. Specifications

a. Click on “Specifications.”

Selecting property specifications.

b. Enter the Project Name and Number from the contract cover page into the 

corresponding fields.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 108

Project Name and Number under the specifications window.

c. Since there is not a template created for structural concrete, click on the “add property” 

button under the “Property Specifications” section. See the next page for the “add 

property” location.

Add property tool under property specifications.

After reviewing the “Sampling, Testing, and Acceptance Requirements from Example 

Table 552-9,” the only property that will be evaluated for 552 Structural concrete is the 

compressive strength. 

In the “Select a Property window,” scroll to the bottom of the window, select the “28 

day” compressive strength property, and click “OK.”
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 109

Selecting 28 day strength property.

The “28 day strength” property will now be displayed in the property specifications 

section.

View after entering project name and number and selecting the properties.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 110

C. Adjusting Property Specifications to Match Contract

a. After opening the specifications dialog box and selecting the properties, the Sampling, 

Testing, and Acceptance Requirements along with the concrete compressive strength 

from the contract will be needed to finish inputting the correct data.

b. To adjust the properties, highlight the property in the lower table to adjust and click on 

the “Target Specs” button. This will bring up a new window to enter the testing 

parameters for the particular property. Determine the testing parameters for the

property and select the appropriate target specifications, i.e. min, max, etc. 

In this example, highlight the “28 day” property in the lower table and select “Target 

Specs.” This is shown on the following page.

 

Highlight the property and select Target Specs.

Each field that is not grayed out will need to be filled in with data from either the 

sampling and testing specification or the contract. 

View of the Target Specifications window.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 111

i. The criticality level is found in Example Table 552-9 under category. 

Compressive strength is a category 2.

ii. The target specification for compressive strength is “min.” When this button is 

selected the only changeable field in the target specifications subsection is the 

“low value.” The target value will be the value stated in the contract 

documents. In this case, using the contract, the minimum compressive 

strength is 4000 psi. 

c. The estimated number of tests needs to be the actual number of tests that will be taken 

throughout the project. This number can be changed at a later date if the number of 

tests increases or decreases, but the final number of tests taken should be reflected 

under each property at the completion of the item. To determine the number of tests, 

divide the contract quantity for the item by the sampling frequency and use that value 

for all of the estimated number of tests. For this example, the contract requires 400 YD3

and the sampling frequency is 1 per 30 YD3 (from Example Table 552-9); therefore, the 

estimated number will be 13 tests for this project.

28 day entered target specifications.

d. After the target specifications are entered, click “OK.”

e. When finished entering all of the properties, click “Save and Close.” The completed 

property specifications window is shown on the next page.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 112

Completed target specifications prior to selecting Save & Close.

If the user presses “Quit,” none of the changes made to the specifications will be saved 

and it will resort back to the data that was entered prior to opening the specification set.

f. QL-PAY is now set up to handle all of the 55201 sampling and testing for the project.

D. Entering Test Results

a. Highlight the sample set that the user has test results for.

b. Select the “Test Results” button at the lower right of the window or the “Test Results” 

drop down menu.

Locations that can be selected to enter test results.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 113

c. Begin entering the test result data, starting with Sample #1. Make sure to include 

consecutive sample numbers when entering in the test result data, i.e. 1,2,3,4, etc.

View of consecutive test results being entered.

d. Three test results are needed before a statistical analysis can be computed.

F. Calculating Pay Factor

a. Highlight the sample set for the contractor’s lab and select the “Pay factor” under the 

reports drop down menu.

Selecting the pay factor report for the contractor’s lab.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 114

b. The reports menu will appear. By selecting the “Pay factor” report, the “Calculate pay 

factor” button should already be checked. If not, select only the pay factor button and 

then select “OK.” 

Pay factor report selection.

c. QL-PAY will produce a PDF report calculating the pay factor for the test results that have 

been entered under the sample set. When the estimated number of tests have been 

completed, QL-PAY will note that the testing has been completed and the what the final 

pay factor for the item is. 

The view below shows the final pay factor for Aster Falls Lookout Road. When only using 

a category 2 property specification, the maximum pay factor is a 1.00 when the PWL is 

above 90. This is shown on the following page on the final pay factor report.

Note: The “Calculate Pay Factor” report was selected for example purposes only. For 

more information on other available reports see Section 4 Reports.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 115

Structural concrete pay factor resulting in a 1.00.
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 116

7.5. Exporting Data

Example
QL-Pay 6.0 User’s Manual 117

7.5. Exporting Data Example

Sample sets can be exported from QL-PAY in three separate functions: by the selected project, 

all projects, or selected sample sets.

1. Selected Project: This will export any sample sets associated with the project that 

is currently highlighted.

2. All Projects: This option will export all projects within the QL-PAY window.

3. Selected Sample Sets: This will only export the individual sample set(s) the user 

has selected.

a. Select the appropriate exporting function needed by going to “Sample Sets” → “Export 

“→ “Export ______.”

Exporting sample set functions.

b. The data set(s) will be saved in a single file and sent to the export directory. This file can 

now be stored on the computer or sent electronically to be used by others.

Exported file directory.