Topic of the Session: QA / QC aspects in Civil works

Session Outline

1. Concept of Quality and definition

2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control in construction
3. Elements of Quality Control in construction
4. Quality Management Process
5. Field Quality Plan Checklist for blasting operations (Annexure)

Concept of Quality

Quality has different meanings for different people. Various definitions for quality can be

The characteristics of a product or service or a project that bear on its ability to satisfy
stated or implied needs
Conformance to established requirements within an organization
Quality is the degree to which a specific product conforms to a design or specification

Quality of construction is even more difficult to define. Quality in construction projects is not only
the quality of product and equipment used in the construction of a facility but the total management
approach to complete the facility. The quality of construction depends mainly upon the control of
construction, which is the primary responsibility of the contractor. First of all, the product is usually
not a repetitive unit but a unique piece of work with specific characteristics. Secondly, the needs
to be satisfied include not only those of the client but also the expectations of the community into
which the completed building will integrate. Construction project quality is the fulfillment of the
owner’s needs as per defined scope of works within a budget and specified schedule to satisfy
the owner’s/user’s requirements. The phenomenon of these three components can be called the
“construction project trilogy” as shown in Figure 1 below.
Challenges in successful achievement of quality objectives in construction projects

There are a large number of factors that may influence the effectiveness of a project quality
management program. Some barriers to successful management system implementation at
construction organizations involve the very nature of the construction process. The projects are
unique, locations vary, work volume fluctuates, staff changes, the work is labor intensive, the
workforce tends to be transient, projects are subject to change and delays, the key team members
routinely change, the supply chain is extensive, multiple organizations are involved that have
differing visions, values, processes, and practices, weather can vary, some partners fail to deliver
on their promises etc. In addition, the industry is conservative and slow to embrace change. Most
contactors are small and lack sophistication and resources. Effectively managing quality becomes
challenging due to these and a multitude of other factors.

Quality Assurance in Construction Projects

Quality Assurance (QA) is a set of planned and systematic activities which are laid out before a
construction project starts. The aim of Quality Assurance plan is to give confidence that quality
requirements will be fulfilled. In simple terms,

Quality Assurance is planning to do the right things at the right time and the right way.

Quality assurance in construction projects covers all activities performed by the design team,
contractor, and quality controller/auditor (supervision staff) to meet owners’ objectives as
specified and to ensure that the project/facility is fully functional to the satisfaction of the
owners/end users.

Key elements of this plan include but not limited to - Purpose and objectives of the plan, QA
organization and responsibilities, Project communication, Quality Assurance activities
(Certification, calibration, construction activities, testing, sampling and analysis), and
Environmental monitoring etc.

Quality Control in Construction Projects

Quality Control (QC) are observation techniques and activities which aim to identify whether the
final product actually fulfills customer requirements. Quality Control also identifies the need for
corrective measures. In other, simpler, words:

Quality Control monitors work as it happens and ensures that the results satisfy the requirements
specified.
There are normally four steps in such control:

Setting Standards. Determining the required cost–quality, performance–quality, safety–

quality, and reliability–quality standards for the products.
Appraising Conformance. Comparing the conformance of the manufactured product, or
the offered service to the standards.
Acting When Necessary. Correcting problems and their causes throughout the full range
of those marketing, design, engineering, production, and maintenance factors that
influence user satisfaction.
Planning of Improvements. Developing a continuing effort to improve the cost,
performance, safety, and reliability standards.

There are a variety of methods, tools, and techniques that can be applied for quality control and
the improvement process. These are used to create an idea, engender planning, analyze the
cause, analyze the process, foster evaluation, and create a wide variety of situations for
continuous quality improvement. One example of a cause and effect diagram is shown below.

Figure 2. Cause and effect diagram for bad concrete.

 Figure 3. Flow chart of concrete casting

Elements of Quality Control in Construction Projects

1. Manpower resources control

As the main activity part of production process, the overall quality and individual ability of
human will determine the results of all quality activities. So, human are considered as both
the controlled targets and controlling motivation of other quality activities. The contents of
human control includes the overall quality of organization and individual's knowledge, ability,
physical condition, psychological state, quality consciousness, behavior, concept of
organizational discipline, and professional ethics.

The main measures and approach of human control on construction sites are

The management objectives and responsibilities of project manager being considered as

the center, the organization of project management should be set up reasonably with
appropriate management personnel.
With the strict qualification review of sub-units, the overall quality of sub-units should be
controlled, including the technical quality, management quality, service and social
reputation.
The operating workers should be asked for certificates, particularly important technical
trades, special trades etc.
 The training, discussions and exchange activities of quality assurance should be carried
out to strengthen staff's quality consciousness.
There should be very strict on-site management system and production discipline, and the
standard of operation technology and management activities.
Incentives and communication activities should be promoted to arouse staff's enthusiasm.

2. Material resources control

Materials (including raw materials, finished products, semi-finished products, components and
parts) are material conditions of construction, and material quality is one of necessary
conditions to ensure construction quality.

Main contents of quality control of materials:

Material procurement
The purchase of materials should be based on the integrated consideration of engineering
characteristics, construction contracts, and the scope of application, construction
requirements, the performance and price of materials. If necessary, material sample or
field trip is required, and the strict instruction of quality items in material procurement
contracts should be paid attention.
Material testing
Through a series of detection methods, the material data obtained is compared with quality
standards, to judge the reliability of quality materials, and whether they can be used for
construction. Sampling inspection is commonly used method.
Storage and usage
The quality problems caused by material deterioration or misuse should be avoided in the
management of storage and usage, such as the agglomeration of wet cement, corrosion
of steel, and the mix of reinforcement with different diameters. On the one hand, the
contractor should make reasonable arrangement to avoid overstocking lots of materials
on site. On the other hand, materials should be stored with signs for the different
categories, and with inspection and supervision on-site when being used.

One of the important tools in efficiently managing the construction storage and usage is
through the use of 5s system of quality control which is shown in the next sections. This
system has been found to typically improve efficiency in the order of 10% to 30%.
3. Control of construction machinery and Equipments
Construction machinery and equipments are essential facilities for the modern
construction, reflecting the construction power of the enterprise, and having a direct impact
on the project progress and quality. Actually, the quality control is to make the type and
performance parameters of construction machinery and equipment match the conditions,
technology and other factors of the construction site.
Construction machinery and equipment should be selected in accordance with
advanced technology, economic rationality, production application, reliable
performance and safety, with the applicability and reliability to a specific project.
The performance parameters should be made sure correctly in accordance with
the requirements of construction and quality assurance.
For example, the strength of tensile force of lifting jack must be larger than the
maximum tension required in the procedures.
Construction machinery and equipment should be regularly calibrated, so as not
to mislead the operator. Besides, mechanical equipment selected must be
matched with the adapting operation workers.

4. Environmental control
Creating a good environment will play an important role in guaranteeing the quality and
safety of construction projects, achieving optimized construction, and setting social image
of construction corporation. Control of construction environment includes not only the
understanding, restriction, transformation and usage of natural environment, but also
activities of creating working environment and environment management.
Control of the natural environment is to grasp data and information of hydrology,
geology and meteorology of construction site, in order to establish construction
plans and measures with the consideration of the characteristics and laws of the
natural environment and actual conditions, to prevent ground and underground
water affecting construction, and ensure the safety of underground pipelines of the
surrounding buildings.
Control of management environment is to learn the management relations of all
participating construction units from the contract structure, then establish
organizational system of on-site construction and integrated operation system of
quality management. There are roles of mutual promotion and restraint, and
coordinating operation between arrangement ensuring construction procedures
 and formation process of construction quality. In addition, the coordination,
communication and good public relations are required with the neighboring
residents or working sites, to acquire their necessary understanding and support.
Control of working environment is firstly to do rational planning and management
of construction plan, and arrange the layout of mechanical equipment, materials,
components, roads, pipelines, and various large temporary facilities. Secondly, the
various protective measures should be taken, with clear signs, and the roads of
construction should be unblocked. Third, before leaving the construction site, it
should be cleaned up.

The Quality Management Process

Figure 4. The Plan Do Check Act Cycle

Figure above illustrates the PDCA cycle for continuous evaluation, improvement and
correction of the quality parameters in any construction project. PDCA is a basic model that
can be compared to the continuous improvement process, which can be applied on any
project. The above is also illustrated through the example of a Field Quality Plan provided as
an annexure.
5s System for Material Control and Management
5s System for Material Control and Management
Example of Quality System for Tunneling