Quality Assurance and Quality Control are extremely important aspects of any

engineering or construction project without which successful completion of the

project cant be imagined. In fact, these two are integral parts of virtually any
project one can think of. Proper implementation of Quality Assurance and Quality
Control not only results in a sound project but also leads to more economy by
means of optimisation. Its hence important to realise the meaning or the
definitions of the terms Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Thats what this
post is all about.
Quality Assurance : Quality Assurance or QA is the process of identifying or
deciding all the quality requirements for a project, identifying existing quality
documents such as codes, specifications etc. that are relevant to the quality
requirements of the project and making them available for use, preparation of
new project specific quality documents such as Project Quality Plan (PQP) or
Quality Assurance Plan (QAP), Inspection Test Plans (ITP), Job Procedures (JP),
Project Specifications etc. that would provide the necessary framework or
guidelines for ensuring that the planned or targetted quality requirements (quality
goals) for the project are achieved in a systematic and timely manner.
Quality Assurance includes all those quality parameters or guidelines that would
ensure that a project or a product meets its planned or targetted quality by its
stakeholders or the producers. All the documents providing quality parameters or
guidelines for that purpose are part of quality domain and are called QA
documents. Examples of QA documents are the Project Quality Plan (PQP) or
Quality Assurance Plan (QAP), Inspection Test Plans (ITP), Job Procedures (JP),
codes and so on.
Project Quality Plan (PQP) or the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) is the most
elaborate quality document in a project. Ideally, it provides the complete
framework or comprehensive guidelines for achieving the planned or the target
quality for all aspects involving the project such as planning, design, engineering,
construction, procurement, document control etc. etc.
QA documents like Inspection Test Plans (ITPs), Job Procedures (JPs) etc. are
mostly construction specific. Examples are ITPs and JPs for concreting,
earthwork, structural steelwork, grouting and many more, all of which are
construction activities.
If the quality parameters or the guidelines provided in the QA documents are
followed properly the ultimate quality target for a project, product etc. would be
achieved. To sum up in a simple way, Quality Assurance is all about planning or
finalising the quality targets for a project and then showing the ways of achieving
the same clearly.
Quality Control : Quality control includes all those tasks or activities performed in
ground as per the quality guidelines or framework prescribed in the Quality
assurance documents such as Project Quality Plan (PQP) or Quality Assurance
Plan (QAP), Inspection Test Plans (ITPs), Job Procedures (JPs), Project
Specifications etc. in order to ascertain that the quality targets as laid down in the
QA documents are actually achieved in a systematic manner as suggested in
these documents. The quality documents generated while performing these tasks
are Quality Control documents or QC documents.

Lets consider a very common construction activity, say, concreting in order to

have a clearer picture of quality documents. The framework or the guidelines for
achieving the desired or target quality for concreting are provided in QA
documents such as ITPs, JPs, codes and so on. As prescribed in these
documents various activities like designing concrete mixes, conducting laboratory
tests, doing inspections etc. etc. are performed. These are nothing but Quality
Control activities and the resulting documents like the concrete mix design
reports, laboratory test reports, inspection reports etc. are QC documents.
Similarly, calibration of measuring and test equipments and conducting quality
audits are QC activities and the resulting calibration and audit reports are QC
documents. There are plenty of examples like these.
Also, while the forms for recording laboratory test results, calibration results etc.
are actually QA documents, they become reports or QC documents when they
are filled with laboratory test results or calibration results.
Quality Control is usually performed by contractors, manufacturers, suppliers etc.
and often has to be approved by their clients or the representatives of the clients
such as the consultants.
Many and assorted quality control tests are conducted regularly in the quality
control laboratories at various construction sites. The types and quantum of tests
conducted depend on factors like the type of project, size of the project, the
degree of importance laid on the quality domain, budget for the project and so
on.
For example, the degree of quality control (QC) adopted for the construction of
an ordinary road may be somewhat different from that of a highway project. In
case of the later the quality procedures are expected to be more stringent as
compared to the former for obvious reasons. Accordingly, the types and
frequency of QC tests may vary to some extent in spite of the fact that they are
projects of similar nature. Similarly, the QC requirements for an ordinary waste
water treatment project would presumably be more relaxed as compared to the
same for a nuclear power project again for obvious reasons. There can be
many more examples like these.
A project on a healthy budget will have more space for the quality domain than
one on a leaner budget. There can be a host of other factors too influencing the
quality matters of a project. These are some of the reasons why the degree of
QC or the extent of QC tests may vary from project to project or place to place.
Delving in textbooks or other related technical literature one might end up with a
large number of quality tests suggested for every occasion. Yet, only a handful of
them are actually conducted in project sites and one needs to be conversant with
those relevant ones rather than getting lost in a sea of information. Mentioned
below are some important QC tests commonly conducted in quality control
laboratories at various construction sites:
Cement: initial & final setting time, compressive strength test (3, 7 & 28 days
strength using mortar cubes), % passing through 75 micron IS sieve. These tests
are routinely conducted in a site QC laboratory. Few more necessary tests which
are not frequently performed are soundness test ( Le chatelier or Autoclave

expansion test), determination of specific surface (air permeability test), heat of

hydration, chemical composition tests, etc. These tests are often conducted in
professional off-site labs that are well equipped for all sorts of tests.
Fine aggregates (sand): particle size distribution (sieve analysis), specific gravity,
water absorption, moisture content determination, etc. Zone of sand, fineness
modulus, etc are determined from sieve analysis. Tests for determining clay or
silt content and organic impurities are conducted occasionally, including during
selection of source of sand. Bulking of sand is usually tested only when nominal
concrete mixes are used for less important pours.
Coarse aggregate: sieve analysis, specific gravity, water absorption, moisture
content determination, flakiness index, elongation index, aggregate impact value,
aggregate crushing value, LA abrasion test, etc. Petrographic examination of
rock is done initially to ascertain the quality of the quarry material. Aggregate
impact value is a more useful test as it indicates the quality of stone chips unlike
the aggregates crushing value test which gives idea of the quality of the source
material (rocks).
Reinforcing steel: determination of yield & ultimate stresses, % elongation test,
bend & rebend test, testing of nominal diameter and weight per unit length, etc.
Tests like ultrasonic flaw detection, torsion test, fatigue test, chemical
composition test, etc are also conducted (less frequently) usually in off-site
approved labs in some projects.
Concrete: workability test (slump test, compaction factor test), compressive
strength test (cube or cylinder), determination of total chloride and sulphate
content in concrete, cement content in mix, temp. monitoring of concrete,
especially for mass concreting work (using infrared digital thermometer or other
device), etc. Trial mixes are prepared as per design calculations in the initial
stage of designing a concrete mix in order to ascertain desired workability,
strength, etc of the mix. Testing of accuracy of batching plant is done by routine
calibration of the same (once in 2 or 3 months).
Common NDTs conducted at construction sites for testing quality of hardened
concrete structures are core test, Schmidt hammer or rebound hammer test,
ultrasonic pulse velocity test.
Bricks: compressive strength test, efflorescence test, dimensions test, water
absorption test. Tests like soundness & warpage tests are also conducted
sometimes.
Water: pH value, determination of chlorides, sulphides and sulphates content,
iron and Mn content, turbidity test, hardness test, determination of solids,
determination of alkalinity, BOD & DO, etc.
Grout: compressive strength test (for 1, 3, 7 & 28-day cubes), fluidity test
(immersion or cone method), expansion test, bleeding test, volume change test,
etc. Trial mixes are also prepared at initial stage to ascertain desired workability,
strength, etc. Mock tests can be conducted at site lab to ensure proper grouting
operation before actual execution at site.
Soil tests: Standard Proctor test to determine maximum dry density & OMC, in
situ bulk & dry densities & moisture content ((core cutter or sand replacement
method for bulk density and oven drying or calcium carbide method for moisture
content), determination of Atterberg limits by Casagrande apparatus (LL, PL &
SL), plasticity index, grain size analysis (sieve analysis & pycnometer), CBR test,
etc.

Some soil tests like the direct shear test, triaxial shear test, soil bearing capacity
determination test (plate load test), unconfined compressive strength test, etc are
occasionally conducted for mainly design purposes. These tests as well few
other tests are usually conducted in well equipped off-site labs.
Roadwork: sieve analysis for coarse aggregates for pavement & selected fill
materials, flakiness index, sodium & magnesium soundness tests for coarse
aggregates, aggregate impact value, LA abrasion loss test, 10% fines value,
water absorption by aggregates in bituminous base course, marshall stability
test, retained stability test, bitumen penetration test, flash & fire point test,
viscosity of coal tar, ductility test, determination of sulphate, chloride & organic
matter content for selected fill materials, sand equivalent, det. of friable particles,
bitumen stripping, extraction & grading analysis test for asphaltic mix, in situ bulk
density & det. of degree of compaction for bituminous base course, modified
Proctor test to determine maximum dry density & OMC of sub-grade soil and
selected fill materials, in situ density & moisture content of compacted subgrade
(core cutter or sand replacement method for bulk density and oven drying or
calcium carbide method for moisture content), atterberg limits & CBR test for
subgrade and selected fill.
In fact, there are more tests for each of the above-mentioned categories or
materials. Also, there are quality tests for other materials or other types of work.
As already mentioned, depending on the importance laid on quality aspects and
few other factors the types or quantum of tests performed may vary from
laboratory to laboratory or place to place even for projects that are quite similar
in nature.
This will become your guide on making your tests on your ongoing project. Like
me when I was a newbie in the construction, I dont have an idea then what are
the tests to be done? So this would be a great way to write a post for you to
learn fast.
There are various tests needed in different areas of site activities whether it is in
infrastructure or building projects. Infrastructure projects like road, embankment,
bridge, viaduct, tunnel, dam etc. In the building project, it has common test that
normally done which I will show in the foregoing paragraph.
So let us proceed with the following different types of test in different areas of
your site.
On Infrastructure & Road projects
When I was in the City Engineering Department in my home country. Our projects
there were roads, bridge, school buildings, public market, coliseum, park but
most of the projects I attended were roads like 8 kilometers long and the longest
is 15 km including drainage and box-culvert.
Here are the tests that you will require.
1. Soil analysis If you need to backfill a part of your road project then you will
be requiring a borrow area, there you will take at least five (5) samples in
different locations in order to determine the suitability of the soil. The test that will
be done are proctor test, California bearing ratio (CBR), atterberg limits, organic
matter, etc.
2. Field density test or In-situ density test This test can be read in this article
How to do compaction test. Some people called it compaction test and some

other called it in-situ density test, but in fact it has similar test procedure. Here
is the meaning of a compaction test is a soil quality test used to assess the level
of compaction, which can occur in the soil on a site.
In order to determine the result of compaction the test shall be conducted further
in the laboratory to get the result, where they would make further weighing the
soil sample, drying it in the oven, and last calculation and then the result. A road
project (rigid pavement) has different types of layers. The first layer is subbase, second is base course, and the last layer is the concrete pavement.
Each layer, excluding the concrete pavement has to be compacted to the
required degree of compaction. The sub-base is usually to be compacted to 95
percent of maximum dry density and the base course is 100 percent of maximum
dry density but please refer always on your respective specification.
3. Flexural strength Here is the meaning of Flexural Strength Flexural
strength, also known as modulus of rupture, bend strength, or fracture strength,
a mechanical parameter for brittle material, is defined as a materials ability to
resist deformation under load.
The strength requirement varies depending on the specification, but here on our
site, the specification says 4.6 Mpa for 28 days strength.
On building projects
In building project, there are several kinds of tests that you should expect. Our
first project in Dubai was having an approximate area of 119, 000 square meters
consists of 9 buildings with one common parking. Here are the quality tests that
we have done and you also might conduct these on your building projects.
1. Soil Investigation The purpose of the soil investigation is to determine the
surface and subsurface conditions of the project and the physical, chemical and
mechanical properties of the ground in order to provide the structural engineer
with sufficient information for the design of the most safest and practical design
of foundations.
2. Plate load test This test is sometimes taken on below slab-on-grade or on
the foundation, but it would depend on your specification, this is in order to just
verify the bearing capacity of soil which have taken from the soil investigation.
3. Soil analysis (Sampling) This test shall be done prior to compaction test in
order to determine the suitability of the soil to be used for backfilling. The
sampling test includes atterberg limits, sieve analysis, organic matter.
4. Proctor test The proctor test result shall be used in the calculation of the
degree of compaction or in-situ test report. That is why it is necessary to do first
the proctor test prior to compaction test. Here is the meaning of proctor test It is
a laboratory procedure of experimentally determining the optimal moisture
content at which a given soil type will become most dense and achieve its
maximum dry density.

5. Compaction test or In-situ density test Compaction test shall be done at a

rate given to this article the-frequency-of-various-tests. Compaction test is a soil
quality test used to assess the level of compaction, which can occur in the soil on
a construction site. Compaction test for building projects shall be done below
footings, tie beams and slab-on-grade, but note; if granular backfill (Engineered
fill) is required below slab-on-grade you shall then compact it to 100 percent of
maximum dry density.
6. Compression test of concrete Most commonly the specification says 3
cubes will be taken for 7 days compressive strength test and another 3 cubes to
be tested for 28 days to get the specified strength of concrete.
7. Durability test The durability test commonly consists of; water penetration
and water absorption test. The requirement for water penetration is not more
than 10mm and the water absorption most commonly require not more than 20
percent.
8. Mechanical and chemical test This test is for reinforcing bar that you are
going to use on your project site which includes bending, tension test etc. Before
you use the steel reinforcement, as a quality engineer or an inspector, you shall
send the samples of 3 for each diameter to an approved independent laboratory.
9. Compression test for CMU This test is sometimes mentioned on your
specification. The tests include, dimension test and compression test. Three
samples of each size of CMU have to be sent to approved independent
laboratory.
10. Non-destructive test This test shall be done on steel structure and it is
usually done in the fabrication plant. The non-destructive test consists of
Magnetic Particle Inspection, Ultrasonic Inspection and Water Penetrant
Inspection. The non-destructive test shall be performed by an independent
laboratory approved by the consultant. The non-destructive test should be done if
it is mentioned in the specification, if not the tests shall be done internally as per
quality standard procedure of the fabrication company.
There are many more tests to be done in the construction project, what I wrote
here are just a really important one and others shall be done during the project is
in progress and in sometimes by consultant or clients willingness to do so.
Quality control is the part of quality management that ensures products and
service comply with requirements. It is a work method that facilitates
the measurement of the quality characteristics of a unit, compares them with the
established standards, and analyses the differences between the results
obtained and the desired results in order to make decisions which will correct any
differences.