NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

ASSIGNMENT
NICMAR / SODE OFFICE

Course No.

- NCP 27

Course Title

- Construction Quality Management

Assignment No.

-Two

Last Date of Receipt

- 30.11.2014

Module No.

- M12

Assignment
You have been selected as a project manager for a prestigious high rise building in
Mumbai, which will be housing very rich personalities from industry and film world.
Your company management has asked you to formalize Quality Management System
(QMS) for interior finishes, Plumbing and prevention of rainwater seepage so that the
overall quality standard and image of company is raised.

Introduction to Quality:
Dr.Joseph M Juran has defined quality as fitness for use.Quality is viewed as one
that requires every member of the organization to provide the next person in the
process with an acceptable product or service. This means that everyone is
responsible to perform a task in such a manner that the product can be used
immediately and in the most efficient manner possible.
As per ISO 9000 quality is the totality of feature and characteristics a product or
service that bears on its ability to safely stated or implied needs.
There is an urgent need for observance of quality in all aspects of construction via
quality of materials, quality of workmanship and proper balance in the quality attained
vis a vis the quality desired.

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

It is well known fact that the quality cannot be constructed. It has to be designed in to
a project system. QMS therefore starts from the design stage itself.
STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MAKING AND TRANSPORTING CONCRETE
The quality of construction depends upon right materials used, the correct methods
followed and produce end product of acceptable performance. The means of quality
control are tests, inspection, supervision and analysis of data etc. Quality tests are
conducted in laboratories and inspection & supervision are carried out on the site and
the data analysis is done by experts in office.
SPECIFICATIONS
The project authorities prepare the process of working out specifications of various
facilities where concrete will be used. However, the standards and specifications for
concrete and its various ingredients are universally standardized and they are required
to be in conformity with same. Indian Standards IS for concrete and its basic
ingredients viz cement, coarse and fine aggregates, water admixtures and various
aspects of concreting its placement and final acceptance should be as per IS
specifications.
The quality control of concrete comprises of the following four functions:
i.

Control of ingredients of concrete viz. cement, coarse and fine aggregates,

water and admixtures.

ii.

Concrete mix proportioning of concrete mix design to attain the required

strength specifications.

iii.

Concrete production and placement operations.

iv.

Acceptance
The responsibility of all the four functions is shared by contractor, the department
or client and the quality control staff.

Concrete Making:
Raw material for concrete is Cement, Aggregate & Water. Now all the standards and
specifications for making of a particular concrete are according to ASTM or BS or
IS.Testing is to be done at each level for quality control i.e. in the following order:
Cement test:
Setting time
Soundness
Strength
Fineness and grading

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

Chemical composition
Specific Gravity
Heat evolution
Water retention
False set
Adulteration
Aggregate test:
Photographic Examination
Grading & surface area
Bulk unit weight
Specific gravity
Absorption and surface moisture
Chemical stability
Resistance to freeze and thaw
Abrasion resistance
Crushing
Impact value
Sampling aggregate
Water test ( for impurities):
Organic
Inorganic
Sulphates
Chlorides

Suspended matter
Hydrogen ion concentration
Seawater
sugar
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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

Concrete testing
The following European standard test methods for concrete have already been
published as BS ENs:-

BS EN 12350 Testing fresh concrete

Part 1 : Sampling
Part 2 : Slump test
Part 3 : Vebe test
Part 4 : Degree of compactability
Part 5 : Flow table test
Part 6 : Density
Part 7 : Air content Pressure methods
BS EN 12390 Testing hardened concrete
Part 1 : Shape, dimensions and other requirements for specimens and moulds
Part 2 : Making and curing specimens for strength tests
Part 4 : Compressive strength Specification for testing machines
Part 5 : Flexural strength of test specimens
Part 6 : Tensile splitting strength of test specimens
Part 7 : Density of hardened concrete
Part 8 : Depth of penetration of water under pressure
EN 12390 : Part 3 Compressive strength of test specimens has been approved at
second formal vote and will be published by BSI in due course.

SQC:
Statistical Quality Control is based on data calculated with all the specifications so
that to get the relevant workers either skilled in different works or unskilled to
transfer the load etc. Which in return would give quality in the project.
INSPECTION

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Inspection is the act of physical verification of the subject work on the site and
under normal day to day working conditions. The inspection for quality is done by
quality control inspectors who are posted at all active sites and who should be
persons at deputy engineer and above levels. They are member of the quality
control team and unrelated to the production process directly.
Once quality standards and other things are laid out inspection becomes a routine
matter. Inspection stages are as follow:
i.

Material inspection at suppliers end

ii.

Material inspection at the stage of receipt

iii.

Material inspection at the stage of issue

iv.

Inspection of the process at the time of initial setting of machine /

equipment

v.

Inspection of the trial run batch

vi.

Inspection while the execution is in progress

vii.

Inspection of finished process

viii.

Inspection before erection and commissioning

ix.

Inspection of commissioning

x.

Inspection of machinery and equipment commissioned

CHECKLIST
Following items must be checked by Quality control engineer.
1. PRELIMINARY
i.

Plans and specifications availability at sites

ii.

Organization chart, job descriptions and work assignments

iii.

Permissible tolerance of measurements

iv.

Provisions of records and reports

v.

Contractors plant, calibrations, equipment organisation and methods.

2. PROPORTIONING
i.

Tests of aggregates

ii.

Proportioning of mix

iii.

Mix computations

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

iv.

Grading of mixed aggregates, batch quantities , yield

v.

Air content

3. MATERIALS
i.

General ( applies to all materials)

ii.

Identification, quantities ( used on hand ) ,acceptability, uniformity, storage

conditions, handling methods, waste, schedule of testing

iii.

Cement

iv.

Sampling for laboratory test

v.

Protection from dampness

vi.

Aggregates

vii.

Acceptability tests

viii.

Gradation
,
organic
matter,
deleterious
substances,soundness,resistance to abrasion, other tests

ix.

Control test

x.

Moisture, absorption , specific gravity, unit weight, voids

undesirable

4. STOCKPILING
i.

Water

ii.

Admixture

iii.

Reinforcing steel

iv.

Size, bending, surface condition

v.

Accessories

vi.

Fixtures

vii.

Other materials

5. BEFORE CONCRETING
i.

Lines and grades

ii.

Excavation, foundations location , dimensions, shape, drainage, preparation

for surfaces

6. FORMWORK
i.

Specified type of forms

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

ii.

Location

iii.

Alignment , provision for settlement

iv.

Stability ( bearing ,shores, ties and spaces)

v.

Inspection of openings

vi.

Preparation of surfaces

vii.

Final clean up

7. GANGWAY AND LADDERS

i.

Working platforms , location width, guardrails

ii.

Scaffoldings of adequate strength securely supported, properly braced

iii.

Suitable guards on all gangway and stairs

iv.

Ladders securely fixed

8. PLANT AND MACHINERY

i.

Availability of spare concrete mixers,vibrators and other machines

ii.

Adequate electric and petromax lamps for concreting at night

iii.

Adequate quantity of tarpaulin to cover concrete in case of rains

9. BATCHING AND MIXING OF CONCRETE

i.

For each batch, check the quantity of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate ,
cement and water, quantity of water being corrected from the viewpoints of
dry wet conditions of the coarse and the fine aggregate

ii.

Periodical checking of accuracy, serviceable conditions and cleanliness of all

the measuring equipments

iii.

Checking that water / cement ratio is maintained at the stipulated value.

Further control over the amount of water used shall be exercised in terms of
slump/compaction factor value

iv.

Physical checking of the quantities of the constituents per batch periodically

v.

Checking of workability of concrete at frequent intervals

vi.

Checking cleanliness of the mixer machine drum

vii.

Checking the working of the mixer as per the rating of the mixer ,yielding
concrete of uniform colour and consistency

viii.

Checking cleanliness and adequacy of chairs in the area of concreting

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

ix.

Checking that concrete is placed and compacted before the expiry of initial
setting time of cement and left undisturbed afterwards

x.

Checking that concrete is placed in even layers, each layer being compacted
before placing the next layer

xi.

Ensuring that concreting is carried out continuously up to the construction

joint

xii.

Ensuring that while concreting an old work, the surface is chipped, cleaned
with wire brush and wetted with a coat of cement slurry, before laying new
concrete

10.EMBEDDED PARTS
i.

Inspection of embedded parts and embedment of lugs

ii.

Position and level of embedded parts

iii.

Precautionary measures to keep the embedded parts in position

iv.

Position , depth and size of bolt holes

11.REINFORCEMENT IN PLACE
i.

Size (diameter,lenghth,bends and anchorage)

ii.

Location ( number of bars, minimum clear spacing,mimimum cover)

iii.

Splicing

iv.

Stability ( binding by wire, chairs and spacers)

v.

Cleanliness ( no loose rust, no oil, paint dried mortar etc)

vi.

Fixtures ( location, stability, cleanliness)

vii.

Opening not shown on plans

viii.

Calibration of batching devices

ix.

Conditions of mixer, speed of operation

x.

Provision for continuous placement

xi.

Provision for curing

xii.

Provision for protection against sun,rain,hot or cold weather

xiii.

Adequate tools and men for compaction, finishing and curing

12.CONCRETING
i.

Working conditions
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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

Weather, preparations completed, specified interval

placement, lighting for night work, covering and protection
ii.

since

previous

Batching
Cement, aggregates, water, admixtures
Check batching devices
Check yield of concrete

iii.

Mixing
Minimum time, batches delayed in mixer, maximum time, loading, number
of revolutions of drum, water used, mixing capacity of drum, amount of
concrete

iv.

Control of consistency
a. Observations of concrete being placed,tests,adjustments of water or
admixtures in mix
b. Monitoring of air content
c. Concrete temperature check
d. Conveying
e. No segregation of materials, no excessive stiffening or drying out,
time limits

v.

Placing uniform and dense concrete

Continuous operation, preparation of contact surfaces, mortar bedding,
vertical drop, no dropping against forms or reinforcement, little or no flow
after depositing, depth of layers, water gain, rock pockets, removal of
temporary ties and spacers, disposal of rejected batches, placing concrete
under water

vi.

Contraction joints
a. Location
b. Forming or tooling
c. Dowels of ties (if any ) in place and aligned

vii.

Construction and hinge joints

a. Location, preparation of surfaces
b. Dowels or ties (if any) in place and aligned
c. Expansion and isolation joints
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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

d. Joint
filler
material,location,alignment,stability,freedom
interference with subsequent movement

from

viii.

Finishing of formed surfaces shallow surfaces, layer of mortar, water gain, no

over working first floating, alignment of surface, final hard trowelling, plastic
shrinkage cracks

ix.

Finishing of formed surfaces condition of surfaces upon removal of forms

(honeycomb peeling, ragged tie holes, ragged from lines), repair of defects,
surface treatment, no surface drying

x.

Schedule of testing

13.AFTER CONCRETING
i.

Protection from damage impact, overloading of surfaces

ii.

Time of removal of forms

iii.

Curing surface continuously moist, time of beginning curing, length of curing

period, concreting in cold and hot weather required precautions

iv.

Joints clean and seal

v.

Tests of concrete

vi.

Records and reports

a. Records,materials,mix computations, batching and mixing, placing and
curing
b. Reports, daily, summary
c. Diary
d. Photographs, video recording

QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality assurance refers to the managerial process which determine the organisations
design, objectives and resources, the project team, funding agencies, performance
standards and feedback on the projects performance, appropriate actions to deal with
deviations and all steps necessary for promoting quality awareness at all levels and in
all parts of the project organisation.
A typical quality assurance programme addresses itself to the following:
i.

Organisation structure of the project team and quality assurance department

ii.

Responsibilities and powers of the various personnel involved

iii.

Identification of the coordinating personnel

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

iv.

Quality and its programmes

v.

Quality education and awareness

vi.

Quality circles

vii.

Training

viii.

Setting up of MIS for quality

ix.

Resolution of technical differences and disputes

x.

Preparation of quality assurance manuals and their checklists

xi.

Vendor survey procedure

xii.

Vendor surveillance procedure

QUALITY ASSURANCE ORGANISATION/ UNIT AT SITE

At construction site generally a Quality control engineer is responsible for the quality
assurance and quality control. He has mainly four functions as follow:
i.

Setting up of standards and specifications

ii.

Evaluating materials, processes and outputs through appropriate tests,

inspection etc

iii.

Appraising failures to these standard and acting when standards are not being
adhered to

iv.

Planning improvements in the standards and specifications.

Quality control engineers functions include the following:

i.

Development of specifications

ii.

Interaction with project designers

iii.

Reliability and development testing

iv.

Process capability studies

v.

QC of incoming materials

vi.

Vendor QC and vendor development

vii.

Quality planning for control of construction process

viii.

Inspection and testing during construction

ix.

Interaction with services engineering

x.

Records and procedures

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NCP 27 Construction Quality Management

QC record accumulation procedure

Document control procedure

In built drawing control procedure

Non conformance control procedure

BIBLIOGRAPHY / REFERENCE
1. Construction Quality Management, Published by NICMAR ,2008
2. Total Quality Management by Parag Diwan,Published by Golden Books Centre
Sdn.Bhd.Kuala lampur,1999

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