AUIS Engineering Department
ENGR 490 Internship Report
Cover Sheet
“I pledge that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this Report”
Signature: _________________________________________________________________________
Your Name:
Your Student ID number:
Your Major:
Your phone number:
Name of Company:
Company contact (human resources):
Phone number of company contact:
Company mentor #1:
Position of company mentor
Phone number of company mentor:
Company mentor #2:
Position of company mentor
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Phone number of company mentor:
Engineering Department
ENGR 490 – Engineering Internship 2023
Final report
Operating Company: Midland Refineries
Field Name: Energy Engineering
Company Mentors names: Mentor Position
Student Name ID Number Signature
“I pledge that we have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this
project and report”
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Executive Summary
During my multi-week internship at Hemn Concrete, I was deeply involved in the process
of normalizing concrete both on-site and in the laboratory. Every mixer truck arriving on-site
was inspected, tested, and recorded. Key parameters such as slump, workability, and batch
identification were documented immediately and shared through a dedicated group chat for real-
time record keeping. This group chat connected the site engineers, quality control (QC)
laboratory staff, and supervisors, ensuring transparency and fast decision-making.
Concrete normalization was achieved using measured additions of admixture or water to bring
batches into compliance with workability specifications. This was done immediately after initial
testing, ensuring the concrete was adjusted before placement. After normalization, cube samples
– typically three cubes per set – were prepared for compressive strength testing. On some
occasions, cube sampling was skipped for certain mixers when previous deliveries from the same
load had already passed all quality checks. This selective sampling process balanced quality
assurance needs with operational efficiency.
The experience strengthened my technical knowledge in quality control, introduced me to
modern record keeping practices, and emphasized the importance of collaborative
communication for maintaining consistent concrete quality.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................3
1.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Company history and student experience.........................................................................................6
1.2 Overview of company’s products and their use, who are the customer’s, volume of production,
markets for the products.........................................................................................................................7
2.0 Winter internship experience................................................................................................................8
3.0 Problem statement and goal...............................................................................................................10
4.0 Background..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Types of devices and machines you have used during your internship...........................................11
4.2 Use of each device or machine........................................................................................................14
5.0 Operational principles of systems and equipment..............................................................................14
6.0 Description of the work done by the group you have worked with.....................................................15
6.1 Problems faced and Possible Causes of the Problem......................................................................17
6.2 Potential solutions for the problems...............................................................................................17
6.3 Factors causing the problem(s)........................................................................................................17
6.4 Components Check and Their Function...........................................................................................18
6.5 Maintenance Procedure..................................................................................................................18
7.0 Recommendations...............................................................................................................................18
8.0 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................19
9.0 References...........................................................................................................................................19
10.0 Appendices........................................................................................................................................20
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List of figures and tables
Figure 1: midland refineries in najaf….……………………………………………….…………5
Figure 2: Crude oil tanks…………….………………………………………...………………...6
Figure 3: unit operation ….……………………………………………………………………...8
Figure 4: control monitors ….…………………………………………………………………...9
Figure 5: centrifugal pump ….………………………………………………………………….10
Figure 6: gate valve ….………………………………………………………………………....11
Figure 7: heat exchanger ….…………………………………………………………………....11
Figure 8: furnace….…………………………………………………………………………….12
Figure 9: distillation tower….…………………………………………………………………..12
Table 1: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Company history and student experience
Hemn Concrete Company is one of the leading ready-mix concrete suppliers in the Kurdistan
Region of Iraq. It was established to meet the needs of the growing construction industry in the
region. The company operates modern batching plants equipped with advanced control systems
and serves residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. During my internship, I joined the
Quality Control team, where I worked closely with both laboratory technicians and on-site
engineers to monitor, normalize, and document the quality of each concrete delivery.
Figure 1: Midland Refineries company in Najaf
1.2 Overview of company’s products and their use, who are the customer’s, volume
of production, markets for the products
Hemn Concrete provides ready-mix concrete in various grades, tailored to customer and project
requirements. The company serves contractors, developers, and government bodies. Services
include concrete batching, delivery, on-site quality control, and laboratory testing. Given the
high demand for durable and compliant concrete, quality normalization and documentation
practices are a vital part of operations.
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Figure 2 : Crude oil Tanks
2.0 Winter internship experience
My role focused on ensuring that each batch of concrete delivered to a site met project
specifications. On arrival, mixer trucks were tested for slump, workability, and visual quality.
Results were instantly recorded and sent to a shared group chat for documentation. This chat
linked on-site staff and laboratory personnel, allowing for quick corrective measures.
If a batch showed low or high workability, adjustments were made using admixtures or water in
controlled amounts. After re-testing, the adjusted concrete was approved for placement. Cube
samples, typically three per batch, were taken for compressive strength testing. Selective
skipping of cube sampling occurred when multiple previous mixers from the same production
run had consistent, compliant results.
.
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Figure 3: Unit operation
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3.0 Problem statement and goal
The fundamental challenge during my internship was to ensure consistent and compliant
quality across all batches of ready-mix concrete delivered to project sites. Variations in
aggregate moisture content, fluctuations in ambient temperature, changes in delivery times, and
operational differences between mixer trucks could all influence the fresh properties of
concrete. Without timely corrective action, these deviations could result in poor workability,
improper placement, and reduced long-term structural performance.
The primary goal was to establish a workflow in which:
Each batch was tested upon arrival
Any deficiencies were addressed immediately through normalization
Results were recorded and communicated in real time
This ensured that no non-compliant batch was placed without correction, while also creating a
traceable QC record for audits and client reporting.
Figure 4 : Control Monitors
4.0 Background
In the operational unit there are different machines that convert crude oil into products. It
starts from heating with furnaces, heat exchangers, and the distillation tower, all the way to the
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pumping pipes and tanks. Below is a brief description of the machines we have dealt with while
working on the unit operations.
4.1 Types of devices and machines you have used during your internship
Slump cone and tamping rod – Measures the workability of fresh concrete.
figure 5: centrifugal pump
Admixture dosing containers – Calibrated vessels for precise chemical addition.
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figure 6: Gate valve
● Calibrated water containers – Ensure accurate water dosing during normalization.
●
figure 7: heat exchanger
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● Cube molds (150 mm) – For preparing specimens for compressive strength testing.
figure 8: Furnace
Compression testing machine – Applies controlled load to cured cubes to measure strength.
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figure 9: distillation tower
4.2 Use of each device or machine
The slump cone is filled in three layers, each tamped 25 times with a standard rod. The
settlement measured after lifting the cone indicates the workability.
Admixture dosing containers allow precise measurement of superplasticizers to avoid
over- or under-dosing.
Calibrated water containers ensure that any added water is accurately measured to
maintain the desired water-to-cement ratio.
Cube molds produce standard test specimens for strength verification and are stored in
curing tanks until testing in a compression machine..
5.0 Operational principles of systems and equipment
The normalization process involved detecting non-compliance during initial testing, adjusting
with admixture or water, re-testing, and approving the batch for use. Recording every batch in
the group chat created a permanent, searchable log. Laboratory cube testing verified long-term
compliance.
6.0 Description of the work done by the group you have worked with
The QC team monitored every mixer truck delivery. Initial test results were taken and shared
immediately. If workability was off, the team decided on adjustments, applied them, and
retested. Cube samples were taken for lab testing unless previous loads had confirmed
compliance. The group chat allowed quick communication and a clear audit trail.
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Table 1: Sample of daily laboratory report
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6.1 Problems faced and Possible Causes of the Problem
• Inconsistent slump readings due to environmental factors.
• Variation in aggregate moisture content.
• Occasional mixer delays causing workability loss.
6.2 Potential solutions for the problems
• Standardized testing procedure.
• Morning moisture content checks for aggregates.
• Time management to minimize mixer delays.
6.3 Factors causing the problem(s)
Environmental temperature fluctuations.
Variability in materials.
Human error during testing.
6.4 Components Check and Their Function
Regular calibration of slump cones, compression machines, and admixture dosing tools ensured
reliable results.
6.5 Maintenance Procedure
Daily cleaning of slump cone, tamping rod, cube molds.
Weekly calibration of weighing and dosing equipment.
7.0 Recommendations
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• Automate group chat logging with QR code batch identification.
• Integrate moisture probes in aggregate bins.
• Expand selective cube sampling protocols with statistical quality control.
8.0 Conclusion
My internship at Hemn Concrete Company provided me with a comprehensive understanding of
how quality control is implemented in both on-site and laboratory environments within the
ready-mix concrete industry. Over the course of my training, I was able to bridge the gap
between academic theory and practical application, gaining hands-on experience in slump
testing, normalization procedures, cube sampling, and the interpretation of laboratory test results.
I learned the importance of timely corrective action when a batch falls outside specification, and
how structured record keeping, including the use of real-time communication tools such as group
chat updates, supports quality traceability and operational efficiency.
Working alongside experienced QC engineers and technicians also helped me develop
professional teamwork and problem-solving skills. I observed first-hand how environmental
conditions, aggregate variability, and delivery logistics can affect fresh concrete properties, and
how these challenges can be mitigated through consistent monitoring and corrective measures.
Ultimately, this internship not only deepened my technical competence but also strengthened my
communication and decision-making abilities. The knowledge and skills I acquired will be
invaluable in my future career as a civil engineer, equipping me to contribute effectively to
construction projects that demand strict quality assurance and durable, high-performance
concrete.
9.0 References
https://mrc.oil.gov.iq/?album=12
10.0 Appendices
Figure 1: Midland Refineries company in Najaf
Majeed, Fatima A. (2020). Unit operations: atmospheric distillation. department of
studies. MRC.
Figure 2: Crude oil Tanks
The first two show tanks Tk-01A and Tk-01B are storage tanks for crude oil both with
floating type roof.
Figure 3: unit operations
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Figure 4: control monitors
Figure 5: centrifugal pump
Figure 6: gate valve
Figure 7: hate exchanger
Figure 8: furnace
Figure 9: distillation tower
Table 1: Sample of daily laboratory report
sent by the laboratory department to the control center on January 16.
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