Question

a) In order to meet the industrial and environmental demands and challenges posed by the rapidly developing technological advancement, and promotion of sanity in the country, and in the world at large, it is necessary to create and develop the awareness and interest of Civil Engineering students who are to become the future middle level manpower in the Construction Industry. According to Harris et al (2006:13), quality control is “a set of activities or techniques undertaken to ensure that all quality requirements are being met”. In order to achieve this purpose, processes are monitored. Coin a comprehensive definition of quality control to this effect.

b) Civil Engineering students are introduced to the principles and importance of quality control. Effectiveness of quality control in any given company cannot be quantified by customers. The variability of quality control results often lead to the loss of competitive edge. If this is limitation, then explain.

c) Administration and site work during a contract can be divided into many important areas which require some degree of control, the ultimate responsibility for which lies with the site manager. Examine the various aspects in a building project where quality could be determined.. AN,

Answer 1

a)   Quality control in civil engineering can be defined as the set of techniques, processes, and well as material choice and inspection, undertaken to meet the quality requirements of the client as well as the project. The various techniques and processes undertaken for quality control involve, the implementation of methods on-site, which are in strict line with the various engineering codes and their guidelines. It also includes ensuring that only good and approved quality material is permitted on-site and is used in the correct proportion and with proper care to avoid its quality deterioration. A combined effort to monitor the material, its implementation, and workmanship by monitoring the techniques and processes, helps ensure good quality control.

b)    Quality control in civil engineering cannot be limited to the requirements of the client but also has to be in line with the various engineering and material codes. Quality Control in civil engineering is a major challenge as well as an opportunity for the companies. A well-executed project can last decades while a project with poor quality control can fail within weeks. The engineering designs and material, usually pass through a number of checks before reaching the site, hence the major challenge on-site remains of quality control. A well-organized company with a team of qualified and competent engineers can have a much sharper edge in project execution that their non-competent counterparts. Structures constructed with the same design and material by good workmanship will have much better resistance, strength, and appearance to a poorly controlled structure. However, quality control is some cases can also be project-specific. Very high-quality control can increase the project cost multiple times, making it uneconomical. Hence a healthy balance between the quality and cost helps to keep a sharp competitive edge in the market.

c) In every project, quality can be determined in almost all the aspects, In a building project the Aspects where quality can be determined are:

Survey Works: It is the initial and the most primary aspect of civil engineering. Quality in this aspect lies in the accuracy of data collected and marked on site. The accuracy in locating the positions of different elements of the building, both in vertical and horizontal planes.

Geotechnical engineering: It involves determining the accurate soil conditions and site and incorporating the output of the investigations in design. An improper geotechnical investigation can lead to faulty design and even project failure.

Material: Quality control in civil engineering not only helps in better project quality and strength but also greatly determines the overall cost and budget of the project. Tasks such as concrete quality, steelwork quality, shuttering material quality can be individually monitored.

Workmanship and Execution: It can be further divided into different works like Concreting, performing works on-site, steelwork monitoring and quality inspection, Shuttering work examinations, etc, to ensure proper quality control.

Over quality of the project is the sum of quality control of all these individual aspects.