Quality in Construction

Quality in construction is defined as meeting or exceeding the requirement of client/owners.

In construction industry, quality is used in different every than the product industry. In the
product industry, quality of some product is better than the other, but we can not say that one
grade of concrete. Quality in construction is employed with conformity with which
specifications are met.

Designer specifies the grade of concrete to be used and contractor has to use the in
gradients of concrete such that desired grade of concrete is obtained.

Quality in construction is related to

satisfying the specification mentioned in the contract

completing the project time.
Fulfilling the owner's requirement within budget
Avoiding disputes claims and
Ensuring the faculties performs its intended purpose.

We use certain product in the construction industry such as tiles, brick. Quality of these
products can be partially related with the general connotation of quality. Other aspect in
quality has slightly different meaning at various stages of life cycle of product such as at
design stage or construction stage

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Quality schemes involve economic studies of selection of types of material and methods to be included in design
ensuring that this design is in accordance with all applicable codes and regulation and controlling the constructio
the project to be sure that the work is performed according to the standards specified in the contract documents
Method to be adopted may vary from the automated documented through computer to statistical quality control in
field .
Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is referred as a scheme adopted by a construction company to maintain the standard or qualit
consistent. It is primarily an internal management system of a construction company. Generally a company main
a quality assurance chart by specify various checks at different levels as well as constantly improving its attribute
quality assurance program may include
Arranging periodical training for its worker
a good safety Programme
a sound procurement system to get best quality material and suppliers
A reward scheme for innovative work and competitive career progress scheme

If a company is involved in repetitive work, then implementations of statistical control of the process. Suc
in concreting, regular sampling scheme control the production of concrete. Similarly in asphalt work , reg
satisfied quality control is carried out.
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Quality Control

Quality control is the periodic inspection to ensure that the constructed facilities meet the standard specified in th
contract. It is usually carried by team of owners engineers or its morning. As for example, in a high way project,
engineers check that compaction of soil is carried out properly by measuring its density; workability of concrete is
checked by employing slump test etc. or checking compressive strength of concrete at periodical level.

Quality assurance is good management scheme whereas quality control is an inspection or sampling process.

Government works is generally carried out using lowest bid system. In lowest bid system, high quality work carrie
by contractor does not play a major role rather price quoted by them is an important criteria.

The procedure for selection of contractor affects the quality control in the construction. Low bid system hardly pro
any incentive to high quality work carried out by the contractor. Government organizations are highly their hard to
improve the low bid system.
Quality control includes

a. Setting up specific standard for construction

b. Checking the deviation from the standard
c. Taking action to correct or minimize the variation

d. Improvement of the standard.

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Quality Standardization

ISO 9000 standards fix the standard for quality. ISO stands for International organization for standardization. This
organization founded in Switzerland in 1947. Similar standards for Indian context are IS 14000 04.

ISO 9000 series of standard are quality assurance standard that assures client that the organization having obta
the certification works according to specified requirement.

It stands for system standardization and certification. Emphasis is given to defining and laying down the procedu
process etc in the form of documents.

ISO is important because it offers an internationally recognized systematic approach, coupled with institutionaliza
of the institutes, policies, procedures, record keeping, technologies and resources for managing quality work.

Basic principles advocated by ISO are -

a. Focus on customer
b. Provide leadership
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c. Involve your people
d. Use a process approach
e. Take a systematic approach
f. Encourage continual improvement
g. Get the facts before you decide
h. Work with your supplier

ISO 9000 series standards are

ISO 9000
ISO 9001
ISO 9002
ISO 9003

ISO 9004

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Elements of Quality

The basic element of quality in construction is

a) Quality characteristics

b) Quality of design

c) Quality of conformance

a) Quality characteristics is related to the parameters with respect to which quality

control processes are judged. Quality characteristic includes strength, colors, texture,
dimension, height etc. Example in compressive strength of concrete, usability of concrete
in slump , etc.

b) Quality of design:- It refers to the quality with which the design is carried out. It
primarily related to meeting the requirement of the standard, functionally efficient system and
economical maintainable system.
c) Quality of conformance:- It is referred to the degree to which the constructed facility
conformed the design and specification. Quality of conformance is affected by-

i.

field construction methodology

ii. Inspection

Economics of Quality of design

Quality of design is generally

evaluated based on economics of
quality. There are two aspects of
economics of quality design
a. value addition of quality
b. cost of quality

With the increase of quality of

design, dost increase is exponential
but value addition initially increases,
but starts saturating at of some
point. Hence the optimum cost is
arrived when slope of both the
curves is same .

The economics of quality

conformance is shown in the figure.
One can note that with the increase
of quality of construction, cost of
quality control gets saturated. Thus
we can arrive at optimum quality for
minimum cost from total cost of the
construction. This has been shown
in the figure .

IS Code provision for quality control of concrete

IS 456 provides the schemes for quality control and quality assurance of concrete , we have
reproduced the clauses

Clause 10.1 Quality Assurance Measures

Clause 10.1.1 In order that the properties of the completed structure be consistent with the
requirements and the assumptions made during the planning and the design, adequate
quality assurance measures shall be taken. The construction should result in satisfactory
strength, serviceability and long term durability so as to lower the overall life-cycle cost.
Quality assurance in construction activity relates to proper design, use of adequate materials
and components to be supplied by the producers, proper workmanship in the execution of
works by the contractor and ultimately proper care during the use of structure including
timely maintenance and repair by the owner.

Clause 10.1.2 Quality assurance measures are both technical and organizational. Some
common cases should be specified in a general Quality Assurance Plan which shall identify
the key elements necessary to provide fitness of the structure and the means by which they
are to be provided and measured with the overall purpose to provide confidence that the
realized project will work satisfactorily in service fulfilling intended needs. The job of quality
control and quality assurance would involve quality audit of both the inputs as well as the
outputs. Inputs are in the form of materials for concrete; workmanship in all stages of
batching, mixing, transportation, placing, compaction and curing; and the related plant,
machinery and equipments ; resulting in the output in the form of concrete in place. To
ensure proper performance, it is necessary that each step in concreting, which will be
covered, by the next step is inspected as the work proceeds (see also 17).

15 SAMPLING AND STRENGTH OF

DESIGNED CONCRETE MIX

15.1 General

Samples from fresh concrete shall be taken as per IS 1199 and cubes shall be made, cured
and tested at 28 days in accordance with IS 516.

15.1.1 In order to get a relatively quicker idea of the quality of concrete, optional tests on
beams for modulus of rupture at 72 + 2 h or at 7 days, or compressive strength tests at 7
days may be carried out in addition to 28 days compressive strength test.

For this purpose the values should be arrived at based on actual testing. In all cases, the 28
days compressive strength specified in Table 2 shall alone be the criterion for acceptance or
rejection of the concrete.

15.2 Frequency of Sampling

15.2.1 Sampling Procedure

A random sampling procedure shall be adopted to ensure that each concrete batch shall
have a reasonable chance of being tested that is, the sampling should be spread over the
entire period of concreting and cover all mixing units.
15.2.2 Frequency
The minimum frequency of sampling of concrete of each grade shall be in accordance with
the following:
Quantity of Concrete in the Number of Samples

No of samples
Quantity of Concrete in the work , m 3

1-5 1

6-15 2

16-30 3

31-50 4

51 and above 4 plus one additional sample for each additional

50 m 3 or part thereof

NOTE - At least one sample shall be taken from each shift where concrete is produced at
continuous production unit, such as ready-mixed concrete plant, suppliers and purchasers
may agree upon frequency of sampling mutually by suppliers and purchasers.

15.3 Test Specimen

Three test specimens shall be made for each sample

IS 456 : 2000

for testing at 28 days. Additional samples may be required for various purposes such as to
determine the strength of concrete at 7 days or at the time of striking the formwork, or to
determine the duration of curing, or to check the testing error. Additional samples may also
be required for testing samples cured by accelerated methods as described in IS 9103. The
specimen shall be tested as described in IS 516.

15.4 Test Results of Sample

The test results of the sample shall be the average of the strength of three specimens. The
individual variation should not be more than +15 percent of the average. If more, the test
results of the sample are invalid.

Total Quality Management ( TQM )

Total quality management(TQM) is a system of continuously improving goods or

services . The philosophy was promoted by W. Edwards Deming . A TQM approach is
considered as essential to long term survival of the business , such as construction . In the
TQM philosophy , everyone in the company should feel involved and committed for
quality of products , from top to bottom of the organization . Total quality management
provides principles , tools and techniques for cultural changes and continuous
improvement . Quality assurance can be considered as part of Total Quality
Management . Basically quality assurance is a system of approach which is related to
attitudes and working environment of the company . Deming has suggested 14 points for
total quality management which are

1. create constant commitment to the employee for aim and purpose of the company
and improvement .
2. Adopt new philosophy to avoid defects .
3. Use statistical quality control and understand purpose of inspection .
4. Practice of business should be based on statistical evidence rather than price tag
alone .
5. Improve constantly and forever production and services .
6. Employee training .
7. Teach and institute leadership .
8. Encourage communication and productivity .
9. Encourage teamwork, to work in group .
10. Eliminate posters or slogans with specific improvement methods .

11. Use statistical methods to continuously improve quality and productivity .

12. Remove barriers that rob people of pride of workmanship.
13. Provide education and self improvement for everybody .
14. Define top management commitment for quality .

The basic foundation for total quality management is

Everyone in the company should understand the mission and vision of the business .
Total management should be highly committed to quality .
Continuous training is required .

Safety Management

Safety is one of the vital issues in the success of the project . Safety programme ensures the
worker to be mentally and physically prepared to execute a job quickly ,fearlessly and
efficiently . Safety is a way of life . It must be part of every individual at every time during
performance of any activity .

Working in a fearless protected environment makes the team to be more productive and
efficient . Safety is an important parameter to measure a project , as cost of implementation
and time of completion of the project . Although every manager , supervisor , worker accept
their safety requirement , but it is by-passed by just lip service . Construction is highly
accident prone industry .

In India , construction industry is labour intensive , with unskilled and untrained worker . Fatal
accidents and minor accidents are very frequent . For example , it has been reported that
more than two people died in the construction of dam like Bhakhara-Nangal project .
In out country , in construction work , a large number of inexperienced laborers are
employed . They are unaware of the hazard during their work and generally the company
hardly make an effort to explain this worker's inherent risk involved with the job . Medical
check-up of the workers is not carried out before engaging them in the construction work .

Also , many accidents occur due to the use of improper tools and equiptments . Improper
methods and processes are used to cut the time of execution. Such as scaffoldings are not
properly made , ladders are not checked properly . Many a time poor quality of safety belts
are used , which gets broken during accident .

The major causes of accidents in construction industry are due to

1. fall from high elevation .

2. electrocution .
3. being struck by equipment .
4. being caught by equipment .
5. trench excavation , cave-in .
6. drowning ( bridge and offshore construction ) .
7. Overexertion .

It has been found that more than 40-50% of accidents due to fall from height or fall of an
object . Salient Points of Safety Management

It is the responsibility of the construction manager to create safety programs that will
prevent these accidents .
The philosophy of the company must be that all accidents are prevented and the
actions expected to accomplish that goal must be clearly stated to the employees.
Without a safety plan , a project cannot be described as a successful construction
project . The safety should be the highest priority of the company . The company
must be committed to the improvement of safety .
The safety code of conduct should be communicated to the employees in the
company , who should also be made aware of the pros and cons of the accidents.
A company with a better culture of safety attracts the right kinds of employees and
builds a good , consistent safety record .
During the project planning in the beginning of the work , a unique job-specific safety
plan must be developed .
Task specific hazard should be addressed daily .

Safety Programs

Safety program should be developed as a culture of the company . It should be at all times ,
at all places and all types of work . Every employee of the company should think and work
about safety . Supervisors and managers play a very important role in safety management .
The workers should feel that the safely constraints are for their betterment . A company can
develop it own plan and culture .
Some of the major components of a company safety plan should be

1. First aid equipment should be available and known to the employee .

2. Every employee's need requires personal safety equipment .
3. Formal training program for each employee should be mandatory .
4. Procedures for emergency evacuation of injured employees should be clearly
explained and employees should be trained for such situations .
 5. Safety record and accident report of the company should be honestly examined .
6. Site visit requirement for supervisory personnel plays a very important role in safety
management .

Training for aContract Requirement

The role of the owner in the safety management is vital . The cost and time is also
dependent on the safely management . In India , large infrastructure construction is carried
out by the government agencies . Safely should be included in the contracts and pre-
qualification . It has been observed that construction is carried out by many small
constructors , and they do not follow the safely rules properly . That is why the owner and the
government agencies can enforce the safety .Their safety plan should be included in the
contract i.e. it is a part of the contract and safety performance should be measured against
the owner's plan .

ll supervisors and the managers should be Safety guidelines for Personnel Conduct

1. Employees should always wear hard hats , safety shoes , eye protection , ear
protection , in noisy areas .
2. Equipment operator should have the license and training with the equipment
operation and safety norms .
3. Stay out of dangerous places .
4. One should not work alone on the site , when other employees are not on the site.
5. New employees should make themselves conversant with safety norms from senior
persons of the department .

# Safety and health management , are as much a part of an efficient project planning and management as the minimizing
the cost of project , completing the project on schedule and maintaining the high quality of construction .

Safety and health , cost of the project , schedule and quality are interrelated . They are an
integral part of effective project management .

7. mandatory
8.

Reasons for safety management

a. Humanitarian side : Construction industry in any country is comparatively highly accident

prone . The number of fatal accidents , as well as injuries in which workers become disabled
or reduced in efficiency ,is higher as compared to other industries . The death of a worker ,
creates a vacuum in the family earning as well as psychological and emotional disruption of
the family .

The main purpose of improved safely is to minimize human pain and suffering , to the
worker's family or to the worker , that results due to accident or work induced illness .

Loss of a skilled worker is a damage to the construction industry . Skilled workers are scarce
and considerable time as well as money is spent on their training .
b. Economics of safety : The premiums for insurance for equipments and manpower
depends upon the past safety record of the company . If the accident rate is high , the
insurance company has more risk . Thus , there will be higher premiums . If a good safety
record is maintained , less premiums has to be paid .

Second point is regarding compensation , to the family of the worker or to the worker
himself . If the accident rate is higher , the company has to pay more money .
In advanced countries , the owner also looks into the contractors insurance costs and safety
record .

When the indirect as well as the direct costs of accidents and illness are examined , costs
associated with insurance premiums and claims settlements are only a small part of the
whole . Indirect and impact costs resulting from disrupted production , reduced morale of
employee , lower productivity or worker and ripple effects on the interrupted project schedule
can be several times the direct costs associated with hospitalization , disability pay , spoiled
materials and damaged equipment .

An improved safety management plan reduces these direct and indirect costs incurred due
to accidents . It has been pointed out that the expenses in improved safety and health is an
investment .

c. Legal aspect of accident : In India , there is not a no separate law regarding the safety of
construction workers . But it falls under the labour laws and criminal laws . After accidents , it
is reported to the concerned police station . There are a lot of problems due to investigation ,
regarding the cause of accident , and the compensation demanded to the contractor , owner
and even co-workers .

d. Organization problems : Past safety records of the construction company plays a very
important role in the employment of workers , getting contracts , pride among peers . It
inculcates high productivity , high morale and stronger loyalty of the worker to the
organization .

e. Health hazards : Health hazards include those activities which cause problems to life , in
long such - head radiation , noise , dust , shocks and vibrations , toxic chemical

Implementation Guidelines

Company should prepare comprehensive guideline for different personnel and processes .
Following guidelines can be prepared .
Behavioral approaches to safety and health

Guidelines for top managers .

Guidelines for superintendents of project .
Guidelines for foreman manager .
Guidelines for workers .
Physical approaches to safety and health -

Education and training in correct methods and procedures .

Utilization of safety certified tools in well condition .
Use of equipment for personal protection such as hard hats , seat belt , ear plugs ,
etc .
Good house keeping on job sites .
Frequent and thorough job site inspections by knowledgeable and objective
professionals .
Incorporation of safety review .

Some of the best research in the area of safety has been done by the construction industry
institute at the University of Texas, Houston.
www.construction-institute.org