ASSIGNMENT PGPM-22

NICMAR SCHOOL OF
DISTANCE
EDUCATION (SODE),
PUNE
Construction Quality, Safety and Environment

By
Abdul Hameed Bathusha K S
Reg No: 2150331503562173

Assignment Topic
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.

Quality in Civil Work Project:

Quality Control in any project construction site is as important as any other project related
activity such as design, execution (of construction activities), planning and so on. Quality
control succeeds quality assurance.
Once the required quality personnel for a project are available, the first and foremost
responsibility for them is to set the quality ball rolling, ie, to set the process of ensuring
quality in motion. The quality domain broadly consists of two subdomains namely quality
control and quality assurance. A major step in setting the quality ball in motion is to create

the very important subdomain called QA. Unless QA is in place QC cant be initiated and
continued properly.
Thats because QA means creating the necessary quality framework so that using that or taking
guidance from it the process of QC can be successfully initiated, continued and completed in a
systematic and timely manner. Performing QA or creating the QA framework means
identifying all the quality parameters or quality targets for a project; identifying and obtaining
all existing general quality documents such as codes, specifications, local quality related
regulations or norms (if any) relevant to the project; preparing new project specific quality
documents such as Project Quality Plan or Quality Assurance Plan, Inspection & Testing Plans
(ITPs), Quality forms, Job Procedures (JPs) etc.
Equipped with these QA documents and the necessary quality control personnel such as QC
manager, QC engineers or QC inspectors, laboratory technicians etc., the process of quality
control can now be set in motion. Of course, one of the most important step into this is
establishing a good quality control laboratory at the project site at a convenient location. Thats
a must for any mid-sized to large construction project.
For a small project or one involving quite less civil works, it could be more practical or
economical to get the quality tests done in some other QC laboratory existing nearby rather
than establishing a new one. For a large project site a fully-fledged QC laboratory is the
backbone of most of the QC activities. In fact, often there are more than one laboratories in
such project sites.
An effective quality control laboratory is incomplete without all or, at least, most of the quality
control laboratory apparatus or equipments relevant to the civil construction activities in the
project. High-quality laboratory apparatus of reputed brands are of utmost importance for a
standard QC laboratory. Several lists of important civil quality control laboratory equipments
have been already mentioned in some of the earlier posts in this site. To read them go to the
QA/QC category of this website. Further, there are also other useful technical info such as
calibration and maintenance of quality control laboratory equipments.
Establishing the site quality control laboratory is the responsibility of the QC personnel. Once
the QC laboratory facility is in the place the QC manager, inspectors etc. need to follow the
already established QA framework / guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting
all the necessary laboratory tests as per codes, specifications etc. at prescribed frequencies;
periodic calibration and maintenance of testing and measuring equipments (or instruments),
QC documentation, reporting, quality review meetings and so on. This also often includes
other quality control activities like quality audits, training personnel on quality matters,
reviewing or improving the existing QA framework etc.
Yes, quality assurance and quality control are the two sides of the same coin named quality.
Without one the other is meaningless.

Standards & Specifications for making & transport concrete:

The quality of construction depends upon right material used. The correct method 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 and supervision are carried out on the site and data analysis done by experts in the
office.
Specification: The standards and specifications for concrete and 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 aggregate coarse and fine, water
admixtures and various of concreting, its placement and final acceptance should be as per IS
specification.
Making of Concrete: In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates, or
rocks. The paste, composed of Portland cement and water, coats the surface of the fine (small)
and coarse (larger) aggregates. Through a chemical reaction called hydration, the paste hardens
and gains strength to form the rock-like mass known as concrete.
Within this process lies the key to a remarkable trait of concrete: it's plastic and malleable
when newly mixed, strong and durable when hardened. These qualities explain why one
material, concrete, can build skyscrapers, bridges, sidewalks and superhighways, houses and
dams.

Proportioning:

The key to achieving a strong, durable concrete rests in the careful

proportioning and mixing of the ingredients. A mixture that does not have enough paste to fill
all the voids between the aggregates will be difficult to place and will produce rough surfaces
and porous concrete. A mixture with an excess of cement paste will be easy to place and will
produce a smooth surface; however, the resulting concrete is not cost-effective and can more
easily crack.
Portland cement's chemistry comes to life in the presence of water. Cement and water form a
paste that coats each particle of stone and sandthe aggregates. Through a chemical reaction
called hydration, the cement paste hardens and gains strength.
The quality of the paste determines the character of the concrete. The strength of the paste, in
turn, depends on the ratio of water to cement. The water-cement ratio is the weight of the
mixing water divided by the weight of the cement. High-quality concrete is produced by

lowering the water-cement ratio as much as possible without sacrificing the workability of
fresh concrete, allowing it to be properly placed, consolidated, and cured.
A properly designed mixture possesses the desired workability for the fresh concrete and the
required durability and strength for the hardened concrete. Typically, a mix is about 10 to 15
percent cement, 60 to 75 percent aggregate and 15 to 20 percent water. Entrained air in many
concrete mixes may also take up another 5 to 8 percent.
Hydration Begins: Soon after the aggregates, water, and the cement are combined, the
mixture starts to harden. All Portland cements are hydraulic cements that set and harden
through a chemical reaction with water call hydration. During this reaction, a node forms on
the surface of each cement particle. The node grows and expands until it links up with nodes
from other cement particles or adheres to adjacent aggregates.
Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed and workable it should be placed in forms before the
mixture becomes too stiff.
During placement, the concrete is consolidated to compact it within the forms and to eliminate
potential flaws, such as honeycombs and air pockets.
For slabs, concrete is left to stand until the surface moisture film disappears, then a wood or
metal hand float is used to smooth off the concrete. Floating produces a relatively even, but
slightly rough, texture that has good slip resistance and is frequently used as a final finish for
exterior slabs. If a smooth, hard, dense surface is required, floating is followed by steel
troweling.
Curing begins after the exposed surfaces of the concrete have hardened sufficiently to resist
marring. Curing ensures the continued hydration of the cement so that the concrete continues
to gain strength. Concrete surfaces are cured by sprinkling with water fog, or by using
moisture-retaining fabrics such as burlap or cotton mats. Other curing methods prevent
evaporation of the water by sealing the surface with plastic or special sprays called curing
compounds.
Special techniques are used for curing concrete during extremely cold or hot weather to protect
the concrete. The longer the concrete is kept moist, the stronger and more durable it will
become. The rate of hardening depends upon the composition and fineness of the cement, the
mix proportions, and the moisture and temperature conditions. Concrete continues to get

stronger as it gets older. Most of the hydration and strength gain take place within the first
month of concrete's life cycle, but hydration continues at a slower rate for many years.
Transporting Concrete: Transporting the concrete mix is defined as the transferring of
concrete from the mixing plant to the construction site. Keep in mind that not all concrete is
mixed on the actual construction site and could require some significant travel. This is most
common for ready-mixed concretes. The main objective in transporting concrete is to ensure
that the water-cement ratio, slump or consistency, air content, and homogeneity are not
modified from their intended states.
Important Factors in Choosing Transportation: There are many elements of transporting
that need to be considered in order to ensure that a mix does not change its state as specified in
the contract. The two key goals when transporting concrete from the mixing plant to the
construction site are to prevent segregation and to not reduce the workability of the mix. This
transportation process must be well thought out and organized efficiently. As a general rule of
thumb, thirty to sixty minutes of transportation are acceptable on small jobs. At a central or
portable ready-mix plant, concrete should be discharged from a truck mixer or agitator truck
within two hours. If non-agitating transporting equipment is used, this time is reduced to one
hour. All delays must be avoided in order prevent honeycombing, as shown in Figure 1, or cold
joints.
Many factors determine which type of transportation is most suitable. Type and constituents of
the concrete mix, size and type of construction, topography, weather conditions (i.e.
temperature, humidity, and wind speed), location of the batch plant, and cost are all taken into
consideration when choosing a mode of transport for your concrete. If you choose the wrong
mode of transportation, your concrete could be segregated, which would in effect, make it
useless. Therefore it is essential that adequate thought be given to the type of transportation
you actually need.
Categories of Transportation: There are many modes of transportation as shown below:

Wheelbarrow or motorized buggy

Truck mixer

Bucket or steel skip

Chute

Belt conveyor

Concrete pump

Pneumatic placer

Inspection and Checklist:

What are they: Inspection and checklist refers to the verification of the quality standard is
implemented at the site level or not, it is nearly the validation of the quality control work
implemented at site. Preparation of inspection and checklists are very important at each stage
to control the quality work in time also. If no inspections or checklists are prepared then there
may be a blunder in construction either in specification or in structural details. Checklists are
prepared for the record of inspection done at different stages. To prepare checklists, is an
essential and legal for any type of work. Checklist of all services sanitary fittings,
Electrification work- wiring, surface and conduit wiring, Air Conditioning, cable laying,
Ducting.
How much use is made of them:
Use of an inspection or checklist could be after a short time or along time period if any
uncertainty happens. At that moment the authorities can calculate the conditions that what
could have been happened on disaster time and that where was the fault.

In my experience & opinion:

There should be regular inspections and preparation of checklists at the start of the event, then
in midway of the activity and at last and at the end of the event.
Quality Assurance:
A program for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project,
service, or facility to ensure that standards of quality are being met
The quality should be assured by periodic validation in the implementation of the proper
inspection plan and comparison of quality standard to the actual work.
Quality Assurance Team:
The quality assurance team has a particular organization structure with repect to the
requirement of the site.
Person/Officers- their qualifications & experiences:

Building In charge with a min qualification B.E. Civil and an experience of 10 yrs. in
the building industry

Site Engineer with min qualification as diploma in civil engineering

Surveyor with min qualification as diploma in civil engineering

Resident Architect with min qualification as B.Arch.

Functions & Duties: Every day development at the site for the various jobs need to be
checked as per the bar chart submitted by the builder at the beginning of the activities. Every
day the surveyor will go at the site and measure the various quantities of the items /jobs done.
After noting down he shall handover the same to the site engineer employed. Site engineer
shall accordingly go to the site, check the quality of work and can recheck the detail of the
quantities submitted to him by the surveyor. This shall continue for a week .At the end of the
week this information shall be made in a tabular form and shall be sent to the building incharge duly signed by the surveyor and the site engineer. Along with this report will also be
sent mentioning the bar chart followed for the jobs to be done.
A representative from the architects firm (Resident architect) shall visit the site at least on the
alternative days. Resident architect will check that the details of the design submitted by them,
are being followed or not.
Reporting to whom: The surveyor at the site shall submit the detail of quantities to the site
engineer.
The site engineer shall make his weekly reports of the works done and the requirement of the
drawings needed at site and submit it to the building in charge.
The building in charge shall accordingly make his own summery of the project and shall
instruct the builder and the architect according to the requirement. He shall be visiting the site
often or make surprise visits.
Methods of quality assurance:
Testing of incoming materials: already discussed in specifications and standards for making
concrete.
In process inspections & testing: for the quality assurance of the various jobs being done at
site by regular visits of the site engineer and the building in charge at different stages.
Testing at finishing stages: At finishing stage for all the different activities, one needs to
check the alignment of the internal finishes with the walls and floors respectively. The slopes
and the finishes are in compliance with the specifications submitted by the construction
agencies.

Penalties for non-compliance & incentives for compliance: As I have already mentioned earlier
that the bar chart for all the jobs to be done shall be prepared in the beginning of the project.
After all the discussions of the builder, architect & building in charge, a flow chart shall be
made duly signed by all showing that which job is to be completed at which time. While the
construction is going on if the building in charge notices the delay in any activity will send a
notice to the concerned agency. It then becomes the duty of the agency to look into the delay
and cover up till the next stage of the bar chart. Now if this agency fails to do so, the building
in charge/employer shall have all the right to impose the penalty clause according to the
agreement.
Conclusion
Civil engineering projects and construction companies have begun to attract the attention of social
scientist and management experts. Social scientist argue that it takes more than just SQC and technical
skills to produce quality. It requires the restructuring of the project organization the way they think,
work and interact. Management expert suggests that quality monitoring evaluation and management
information systems should be built in to the construction process at all stages from design to
execution.
Reference:

Nicmar study Materials

Good sources of internet

Quality Management PMBOK