1. Prof Syed Sabihuddin Department of Civil Engineering PRMCEAM,Badnera 1

2.  INTRODUCTION: We can define quality dimension. We can lay down stringent norms. We can ensure strict compliance to the stipulated norms. But there are genuine and practical difficulties in generalization of such norms. There are limitations, drawbacks in drafting specifications, integrity of people involved in the project, integrity of material testing labs, credentials of the contractor, work ethos, general ethical values prevailing in the society, ignorance of the Engineer-in-charge in arena of quality control, lacunae in supervisory controls, deficiencies in contract management systems, faulty praxis of checks and balances, vested interests and a slew of other reasons.  some of the factors that affect quality dimension briefly laying due emphasis on the imperatives of adopting pragmatic approach in quality control measures. 2

3.  ERRONEOUS ASSUMPTIONS: Clause No. 10.8.6 of CPWD Specifications 1996 stipulates that ordinarily no testing is to be done in case of materials bearing 'Standard Mark'. This is an incorrect assumption at this point of time when business community in general, looking for making money by any means. For instance G.I. pipes marked as medium grade or B class with the relevant ISI code number prominently punched nearly at every one metre intervals through but the length of each and every pipe, marketed by certain manufacturers, do not even measure up to the quality of lower A- class pipes. The market is not a fair market. It is flooded with duplicate or fake materials. Of course, we can take up such issues as public issues and report the matter to the BIS authorities for taking disciplinary action against the erring manufacturers. 3

4.  IMPRACTICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Let us take the example of PVC water storage tanks. One of the quality control parameters is thickness. The specification lays down wall thickness of top, bottom and sides of the tank. CPWD Specifications 1996 stipulates that the wall thickness shall be checked beyond 150mm of the edge. It is just not possible to check the thickness without damaging the tank. Of course, we can weigh the tanks and ensure compliance of weight parameter. Here the utility of stipulating such specifications which are practically of no use, focused. As per the CPWD Specifications, the ceramic tiles used for flooring shall be of thickness 10mm. But in the local market, we get only 8mm thick ceramic tiles. Without taking into consideration local market conditions, if we stipulate items calling for stringent norms, and treating such items of work as substandard items of works during actual execution give rise to a lot of avoidable problems. At the time of framing detailed estimate, it is suggested that adequate care should be taken into consideration local market conditions. 4

5.  LACK OF CLARITY: As per the nomenclature of RCC items mentioned in the CPWD Schedule of Rates 1997 the rate for the items of work is excluding the cost of finishing. But the corresponding CPWD Specifications 1996 state that the rate for the R.C.C. items of work including cost of finishing up to 6mm thick with cement mortar of mix 1:3. It is desirable to prevent such discrepancies between the nomenclature of items of work in the schedule of rates and the corresponding specifications to avoid unsavory controversies during contractual operations.  DEARTH OF LITERATURE: The CPWD Specifications refer numbers of I.S codes. The CPWD Specifications are not so comprehensive and hence, sometimes we need to consult the I.S codes referred therein. If the Engineer-in-charge does not have a copy of specification, it would not be possible for him to exercise control over the quality of material or fittings. Engineer-in-charge should be equipped with the required and authentic information before operation of a contract. 5

6.  PRECARIOUS PLACEMENT IN THE ORGANIZATION: In an organization Civil Engineer functions as a specialist not as a part of line function, it is possible all the time, he is called upon to justify his existence in the organization. For many, civil engineering is commonsense engineering. With this misconception, youngsters who have not fared well in any other field of activity, enter the field as civil contractors, creating problems of quality assurance among other aspects in the operation of the contract. Civil Engineering like any other branch of engineering is a field requiring engineering knowledge and skills.  Engineer-in-charge may be snubbed if he shows doctrinaire approach in handling civil works and at the same time, if there is any mishap in the execution. He is generally given a short shrift if he comes with a constructive proposal relating to his work. In an organization where Civil Engineer finds himself at odds with the management, quality becomes a casualty on the alter of exigency and progress. It logically follows that the Civil Engineer must be given freedom carte blanche in organizing civil works. 6

7.  INAPPLICABILITY OF ONE-YARD STICK NORM: CPWD Specifications 1996 classify tests on materials broadly in two categories. Mandatory tests and Optional tests. As per clause 5.1.1.of CPWD Specifications, it is mandatory that water for construction purposes should be got tested for chemical & physical properties. Water even if used from one source is required to be tested once before the commencement of the work and there after every three months till completion of the work. There may be some sense in this provision in respect of works of significant magnitude. The Engineer-in-charge cannot afford to take risk in using unsuitable water in the production of concrete and such other items of work that too in works critical to safety and well being of human beings. It is believed that in respect of small works, maintenance works etc. if water of the source proposed to be used in the construction purpose is tested once and if it is found suitable for construction purpose, then the Engineer-in- charge must be given discretionary powers to waive the requirement of testing requirement. Ground realities must be well taken into account while finalization of the quality assurance programmed. 7

8.  EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: In majority of organizations two hoots are shown to the quality of construction. Under such an environment, contractors get used to 'chelega' attitude, amidst such an environment in one organization strict quality of construction norms are insisted upon, it difficult to ensure quality of construction from the same set of contractors. Most of the contractors are not well educated, professionally well groomed and well-informed contractors are in minority. Quality is directly related to cost. In a cutthroat competition, contractors tend to quote shoestring rates or rates with wafer thin margins. The Engineer-in-charge finds nothing unfair to expect quality of construction according to stipulated norms. When the contractor starts losing money, he finds every thing topsy-turvy and tries to cavil on every conceivable issue and does every thing that is at his command to stymie contractual operations posing intractable problems to the Engineer-in-charge. To put it in simple terms it is difficult to get a pocket of salubrious space amidst a polluted environment. 8

9.  INTEGRITY OF TESTING LABS AND THE PERSONNEL ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMS: The general perception of contractors is that they are the centers of corruption. You keep the lab people in good humor, you get proper Test reports or otherwise irrespective of quality of materials sent for testing, and you get dissatisfactory test reports. If the rumor is true, then in such a venal environment, testing of materials does not really contribute for quality of construction. In the case of major projects, site-testing labs could be established for conducting lot majority of tests at the site itself. Only special tests could be referred to test laboratories. In case of minor works, it is difficult to follow rigid quality control norms. It is desirable that the Engineer-in-charge examine the testing requirements and take necessary action at the time to preparation of draft tender documents. The nature of operating civil contracts is such that the imperative to exercise discretionary powers cannot be all together ruled out. 9

10.  INADEQUACY OF INFRASTRUCTURE: It is often seen that adequacy of the manpower is overlooked while taking up civil construction projects. For handling any civil engineering project, the Engineer-in- charge must be backed or supported with proper, knowledgeable and adequate work force or else he would miserably fail to deliver the goods. In respect of time bound projects, the main concern of the management is how to avoid time over runs—to avoid any deviations to the schedule of the project. Engineer-in-charge who is handicapped with inadequate infrastructure support is obliged to compromise on the quality of construction. In the event of quality control checks on the work, the quality control auditors seldom take a holistic view of the organizational constraints, functional autonomy, situational factors and the compelling and ineluctable circumstances, his travails and his ordeals under which he has to function. For the quality inspector to show the index finger on the work of others is easy, but under the identical circumstances, the same fellow may perhaps perform worse. As the project progresses, project requirements go on changing. It is very difficult to frieze conceptual plans and designs. At the time of formulation of draft tender documents, realistic assessment of quality requirements with reference to what is practicable must be made and accordingly quality assurance program finalized. 10

11.  FAULTY CONTRACT DOCUMENTS: Wooly specifications and vague contract documents when thread bear exposed by litigant contractor, the Engineer-in-charge becomes helpless and very weak to have any effective say on quality matters.  RATIONALE OF ESTIMATE RATES: Schedule of Rates and the supporting analysis of rates are not Vedas. Market rates collected and analysis of rates adopted must be realistic. Generally, tenders cannot be accepted above 5% of current rates. If market rates are unrealistic, then Engineer-in-charge is constrained to consider either critically low tender for acceptance or resorts to negotiation with lowest tendered to reduce his seemingly high quoted rates to reasonable limits. If contractor starts losing money due to any difficulty in maintaining prescribed qualities, situation breeds all sorts of contractual problems. CPWD allows only 10% on cost of material and labour to cover all overheads and profits. This provision may be inadequate. A provision of minimum 25% or much other reasonable percentage towards contractor's profit and overheads must be made while preparing justification statements. 11

12.  UNHELPFUL DOUBLE STANDARDS: Criteria: Clause 20.2.14.3 of CPWD Specifications 1996 or I.S: 4736. Specifications lay down different acceptance criteria in respect of medium grade G.I. pipes. For quantities of purchase or use less than 150m of one size, tolerance limits in weight are plus 10% or minus 8%. Where as for quantities of 150m and over one size, the tolerance limits are plus or minus 4%. Taking advantage of the provisions of the code, there are some manufacturers who manufacture and market medium grade G.I. pipes with just minus 8% variation in weight. The contractor tends to use such cheap pipes. It is suggested that not allowing any lower limit of variation. There are different qualities of Painting such as synthetic enamel paints available in the market with different qualities like class I, II, III & IV. None of the paints available in the market are I.S. marked. In order to ensure best quality of construction, the specifications must be upgraded specifying even the best brand names. This measure would go a long way in building quality into construction. 12

13.  BASIS FOR TESTING CRITERION: Depending upon the criticality of item of work, the items of works must be classified as ''Critical, Major and Minor'. 'Critical' characteristics could be those that are critical to safety and serviceability. Materials unused in work, method of construction could be put to rigorous of testing and other quality control measures. The 'Major' criterion deals with tolerance limits of factors that affect durability of structure in the long run. Relatively relaxed norms could be adopted. The 'Minor' criterion covers those items of work, which at best could affect appearance only. The most relaxed standards could be adopted.  COMPETENCY OF THE CONTRACTOR: The most important point in quality assurance program is in choosing the right agency. Agency must be competent and quality conscious. The first aspect, is competency of the contractor, which subsumes moral character. As regards quality commitment of contractor, generate necessary data; contractor wise and same data must be used at the time of taking decision about issue of blank tender documents. For each work, it is desirable to generate data, if substandard works executed exceeds more than 5% or any such percentage as decided by the competent authority, contractor must be disqualified from participating in the tendering. 13

14.  HUMAN FACTOR: When stripped to the barest fundamental causes, we will come to know that the human factor is the key factor in quality assurance program. It is said that about 20-90% failures of a system or product are attributable to human lapses or errors. Human errors must be arrested by systems correction in addition to T&D of the personnel to hone their skills. We must discourage tawdry goods and construction. Systems do not produce quality. Money does not create quality. It is the people at work who create quality. If we are earnest in quality, we should rightly focus our attention on people.  OTHER FACTORS: A plethora of other factors such lack of coordination between planning group and executive people, lack of synchronization between electrical and civil contractors, litigant attitude of the contractor, departmental people working for cross purposes unleashing blame game, frequent changes in design detail, exigency of work, tardy administrative machinery to cope up with lie requisite progress, poor planning etc. as the Engineer-in-charge despite his unimpeachable personal probity, devotion to duty etc. 14

15.  CONCLUSION: We must gradually build quality into construction. The approach should be systems approach rather than issue based one.  Instead of resorting to testing of materials for each and every work, all building materials must be rigorously tested and certified by an independent authority.  Switch over from one system of working to another one is not possible overnight. Trying to bring stringent quality norms would not be an easy task. First we must take note of ground realities. We must develop clear ideas of what is practicable and what is enforceable.  Civil construction practices practiced in our country, skilled workmen deployed on works are mostly unskilled, there are no formal trainings etc.  All these factors bear significant impact on the quality dimension. We must redraft specifications and contract provisions not common ones. 15

16.  QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM (QAP): PURPOSE: To ensure that the work is executed in a predetermined and planned manner conforming to the specifications stipulated in the contract. Quality assurance program is a process control and not inspection of the final product or construction. In the end if quality of a product or construction slips into a ineluctable or irreversible stage, finding fault with it and then resorting to blame game would be inane. QAP on the other hand ensures timely corrective action for manufacturing a product or construction of a structure. It involves wide participation of personnel concerned with the quality assurance program, transparency and documentation of each and every activity relating to QAP minimizing the possibility of any manipulation or malpractice. 16

17.  MEANING OF QUALITY, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND RELIABILITY: Quality is an attribute of excellence. According to BS: 4778(1), 'quality is totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears on its ability to satisfy given needs'. Quality in fact must be an ongoing process of the best getting bested continuously. Total Quality is a broader term. Armand V. Feigen Baum, author of concept of ‘TQC”: "TQC is an effective system of integrating the quality development, quality maintenance, quality improvement efforts of the various groups in an organization so as to enable production and service at the most economic levels which allow full customer satisfaction.' Quality is fundamental to reliability. It is fundamental to durability.  ISO: 8402-1986 code defines Quality Assurance as ' Quality Assurance contain all those planned and systematic actions required to provide adequate confidence that a product or service will satisfy given requirements for quality.’ Quality upgradation is a continuous process of innovation of products and processes adopting Statistical Quality Control (SQC) tools. 17

18.  QAP program consists: Planning—Working out details of quality assurance program keeping in view the ground realities, planning of material procurement, storage testing, evaluation, manpower planning, defining scalar chain and delegation of adequate powers to the personnel involved in quality assurance program for its effective implementation etc. Designing—For quality control assurance, it is necessary to clearly define quality criteria, such as laying down norms, spelling out tolerance limit and acceptance criteria etc. All working drawings, structural designs etc. Monitoring of quality—It involves documentation of each and every activity that relates to testing, transparency and wider involvement of personnel. The top executive of the organization does monitoring. The monitoring exercise is done not only in carrying out checks on quality of materials, processes, construction etc., but also goes into examining how the quality assurance system as whole is working firstly to detect the weak links, if any, strengthen all such links and to plug all loopholes to ensure quality in all its dimensions. Quality monitoring is done by periodic quality audit internally as well as externally. 18

19.  MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY: Signboards on Quality must be prominently displayed at all important places in laboratories and offices. In an organization the following epigrams displayed make interesting reading:  Quality through Training and Education  Quality based on Data and Facts  Leadership through quality.  Three 'S's hold the key to improvement in quality. These are:  Specialization.  Standardization &  Simplification.  Vertical integration:  IS:456-2000 code incorporates quality assurance measures. 19

20.  PROCEDURE FOLLOWED IN CPWD: CPWD Specifications 1996 stipulates list of mandatory held and Laboratory tests for the materials to be used in the work. Types of tests, test procedures, minimum quantity of each material required for carrying out for each of the listed tests. Optional tests are left to the discretion of Engineer- in-charge. There is need for contractor to draw Field Quality Programme in consultations with the Engineer-in- charge before award of work. The Engineer-in- charge must take note of the testing facilities available with the department, the test facilities to be established by the contractor at the site of work as per the terms of the contract, the testing facilities available in the approved test laboratories at the place of work etc. In CPWD Specifications every thing is well defined. The contractor has to simply follow the CPWD Specifications in meeting with the mandatory test requirements. 20

21.  CPWD GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT: Clause 10A of the item rate CPWD General Conditions of contract enjoins upon the contractor for supply of samples of materials to be used on the work at his own cost and he shall get these approved in advance. The clause further states as follows:  The contractor shall at his risk and cost submit the samples of materials to be tested or analysed and shall not make use of or incorporate in the work any materials represented by the samples until the required tests or analysis have been made and materials finally accepted by the Engineer-in-charge. The contractor shall not be eligible for any claim or compensation either arising out of any delay in the work or due to any corrective measures required to be taken on account of and as a result of testing of materials. The contractor shall also bear all charges and cost of testing unless provided for otherwise elsewhere in the contract. CPWD Specifications 1996 under Appendix A mention that the testing fee for the cubes, if any, shall be borne by the department. Though there is no contradiction in provisions between the contracts form being followed and that of the relevant specifications.  2.5.2 Clause 11 stipulates that the work to be executed shall be in accordance with the stipulated specifications, drawings, orders etc. 21

22.  DESIRABILITY: Engineer-in-charge should finalize the quality Assurance requirements at the time of finalizing draft tender documents, within 5 days from the date of receipt of letter of award of the work, the contractor should finalize the Field Quality Plan (FPQ) in accordance with the contractual provisions.  MAIN ASPECTS OF THE QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM (QAP): It covers the following elements of the programme.  Field test lab—Establishment of field quality testing laboratory as per the contractual obligations covering all the field test facilities stipulated in the contract.  Quality control testing equipments would be checked for: Calibration and correction of the field testing equipments, Maintenance of records of tractability & The testing performance of the lab must fall within the 'Z' score of the accredited test laboratories. 22

23.  Approval of materials—Engineer-in-charge must take action for approving local material testing laboratories for conducting laboratory tests of materials, products etc. well before the commencement of work. Sampling of materials as per the approved methods or as per the relevant I.S. standard.  In respect of materials, processes and methods of construction, the following aspects are covered:  Quality control requirements;  Acceptance criteria;  Inspection, sampling and testing of materials, fittings etc.;  Test report of a material or a product may reveal failure in compliance to the required specifications.  Methods of transportation, storage and preservation to avoid damage;  Checks on quality of construction or workmanship.  Posting of trained personnel—Posting of a trained Engineer or Technician for conducting mandatory as well as optional tests.  Opening up of Work registers—Opening of registers with the pages duly attested by the competent authority for posting test results by the Engineer in-charge of quality control of the work. The results so posted in the register shall be duly signed by the contractor or his authorized representative. 23

24.  Hold points—In according to the contractual stipulations identification of 'hold points' with reference to the physical progress of the work beyond which no work shall progress without complying with the Field Quality Plan and without the written approval of Engineer-in-charge.  Methods of check: Method of checks include the following.  Visual checks; Dimensional accuracy; Non-destructive tests; Conduction of qualification tests. Conduction of qualification tests for welders, plumbers, and masons etc. as a prerequisite to ensure high quality of workmanship in all trades of the work.  Field quality plan (FQP): Requirement of mandatory and optional field tests have been well defined in CPWD Specifications. There is no need to draw any separate FPQ either by contractor or by Engineer-in- charge. Tests on materials conducted at site of work in the field laboratory established by the contractor according to contractual obligations are checked and documented by personnel involved in the QAP. Contractor as soon as work is awarded must draw a comprehensive Field Quality Plan giving types of tests on materials, identification of criticality of structural element, testing requirements, checks, counter checks, norms of acceptance, documentation of test reports etc. and submit the same to the Engineer-in-charge for approval. 24

25.  Practical measures to ensure quality control: Glasnost: For effective implementation of Quality Assurance Program glasnost or openness is a fundamental requisite. There is a popular concept in Japan called 'Jidoka'. The concept is to make a just surfaced problem visible every one by way of stopping operations. Applying this concept to quality control in respect of civil construction work. The personnel involved in construction activity must exercise jidoka with a sense of responsibility. They must be allowed to stop construction activity as and when they notice execution of substandard work.  Registration criteria for contractors: Most of the contractors undertaking works at medium and low level are untrained in contractual procedures. Most of them are neither competent nor interested in picking up contractual know how. The quality of contractors should change. Eligibility criteria for enlistment of contractors must be made more stringent. In theory recording performance of contractors exists on records. Recording annual performance appraisals by the Engineer-in-charge must be followed strictly. 25

26. Skills required: The Engineer-in-charge and all the personnel must be well trained in the following. Skills in sampling and in conducting field as well as laboratory tests of materials. Skills and knowledge to interpret and evaluate the results. Skills and knowledge to take corrective action. Conclusion: Quality assurance programme among other things covers preparation of quality manual, spelling out in clear terms the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the quality assurance programme, its documentation, periodic quality audit or surveillance of the contractor's quality management and quality control methods etc. Field laboratory test labs must get proper support from the material testing laboratories. 26

27.  Use of approved materials: Proper mechanism to ensure that the quality of materials approved and the quality of materials used in the work or one and the same. Proper procedure must be evolved to remove rejected material from the site of work leaving no scope of use of the same in the work.  Clarity about quality: In civil construction, certain activities relate to compliance with laws or rules such as welfare measures of contract workmen etc., having nothing to do with quality and certain other activities have direct bearing on the quality of construction. Measures that affect quality, that contribute quality etc. must be clearly understood and enumerated and due emphasis must be made on the factors that contribute to quality only. 27

28.  Order of precedence in quality control measures: Precision of layout plan, dimensional precision of foundations etc. takes precedence over all other quality parameters. For instance if a generation machine foundation has been casted with high quality materials and exceptionally good quality workman ship etc, if embedded steel sleeves for machine anchor bolts at required locations with required precision, then it may not be possible to install machine over foundation. A dedicated group of engineers must be assigned duty of checking drawings. Any discrepancies noticed, timely correction, checking accuracy of layout, levels, location of critical areas. To avoid cumulative dimensional errors etc.  A dedicated group must be assigned with duty of studying structural drawings and ensuring that construction work is carried out in accordance with stipulated specifications and good construction practices.  It is desirable to constitute a dedicated group who arrange to get materials and products tested ensure conformance to the relevant standards. 28

29. BASICS: Identification of quality control measures such as materials to be used, equipments to be deployed, man power requirements, drawings to be followed, decision on the location of stacking serviceable materials and disposal of unserviceable materials, identification of the contractor's supervisory staff of 'who is to do what' shall precede the actual execution of the work. COMPACTION: Compaction is a mechanical means of expulsion of air from voids. It is a quick or short-term process. The degree of compaction is measured in terms of dry density; The term consolidation on the other hand is a long drawn, time dependent natural process due to over burden or application of load. It is the settlement of soil on account of expulsion of pore water. In respect of refilling or back filling the CPWD Specifications do not specify the degree of compaction in clear terms. The specification states that the refilling should be done in layers not exceeding 200 mm thick 'watered, rammed and consolidated'. 29

30.  It is better to lay down the degree of compaction in lines with the I.S.: 4701 rather than, leaving it to the discretion of the Engineer- in- charge for proper quality control. For instance the degree of compaction could be specified as under:  Compaction should be done to achieve 85% of Standard Proctor Density if the compaction is done by manual means. Compaction should be done to the extent of 90% of Standard Proctor Density in case compaction is done by mechanical means.  TESTING: Based on requirements and contractual obligations, some of the following tests could be conducted both in test laboratories and in field.  PRECAUTION IN COLLECTION AND PACKING OF TEST SAMPLES: Representative samples must be collected as per the approved procedure by the Engineer-in-charge in presence of contractor or his authorized representative. 30

31.  Clear identification mark on sample must be made.  Sample must be packed in order to prevent any damage.  A sheet giving particulars of sample must be kept inside sample.  Entire packed sample must be put inside another cover and shall be properly sealed.  Name of sender, name of official of test lab and name of receiver must be subscribed on the envelope.  TESTING ON UNDER REAMED PILES AS PER IS-2911 INVOLVE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS:  Exploration of site up to a depth of 6m.  Physical properties of the soil.  Salient features of testing.  Setting out of works and establishment of benchmarks. 31

32.  OTHER TESTS THAT ARE CARRIED OUT FOR IMPORTANT WORKS AS DECIDED BY THE ENGINEER-IN-CHARGE:  Free swell index as per IS: 2720 Part XL  Swelling pressure test as per IS: 2720 Part XLI  Chemical Analysis  Bearing capacity of soil by tri-axial shear test on soil sample.  In addition to above tests, following field tests are also carried out on important works if necessary.  Load bearing test on soil (IS: 1888)  Vane shear test on soft fine grained soil (IS: 4434)  Static cone penetration test (IS: 4968 Part II & III)  Dynamic cone penetration test  Plate load test  California bearing ratio test 32

33.  QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES: SUPERVISORY CHECKS  The material used for refilling purpose is of approved quality.  All lumps exceeding 150 mm are broken down to smaller sizes.  Degree of compaction in terms of dry density.  Excavation to the required levels and grades, leaving the surface in its natural condition.  Boring holes for piles with under reaming should not be out of plumb by more than 2%.  Ensure that piles are keyed into respective pile caps at least by 75 mm.  Ensure to the extent possible that the main reinforcement in piles shall be in one continuous length. That is, avoid lap joints. 33

34.  Check up whether the tool for providing under reaming(s) to the borehole is conforming to IS: 2911. The depth of under reaming must be twice the diameter of the pile and the diameter at the mid of the reaming must be 2.5 times the diameter of the pile.  Ensure that the minimum distance from the ground level up to the bottom of the first reamer is 2.00 metre and the distance between two under reamers in case of double under reamed pile is 1.5 times the diameter of the under reaming.  Ensure that the spacing between consecutive piles is minimum two times the diameter of the bulb or reamer.  Collateral checks: Precautionary measures:  Ensuring integrity of the adjoining structures.  Ensuring earthwork excavation to the specified slopes.  Planking and strutting.—Check whether planking and strutting is done properly conforming to the approved drawing and designs. 34

35.  CONCRETE WORK AND RCC WORK  SAMPLING AND TESTING: Sampling-Sampling quantity must be minimum 0.20 cum. It must be collected from three to five different locations. The quantity of sample collected must be sufficient enough for six specimens of 150mm cubes. For further details refer IS:1199 or SP:24 & IS:4905  Testing—CPWD specifies the following mandatory tests for concrete work:  Stone aggregate:  Percentage of soft and deleterious materials or organic impurities as per IS: 2386 part II: (maximum quantity of deleterious materials shall not exceed 5% of weight of coarse aggregate).  Particle size distribution—Field test: Important points: Minimum weight of sampling is 5.00 kg.  Ten percent fines value-Lab test. 35

36.  Fine aggregate:  Silt content—It shall not exceed 8%.  Bulking—Bulking of fine aggregate.  Grading—  Reinforced concrete work:  Chemical and physical properties of water as per is:8025  Workability tests  Slump test (Field test)  Compacting factor  Vee-bee consistometer method  Cube test for RCC-lab test 36

37.  GIST OF SUPERVISORY CHECKS: Supervisory checks must be made strictly conforming to the contractual provisions and as per the instructions of Engineer- in-charge.  Stacking of cement: Main aspects of storage are, Base Cement must be stacked on wooden planks which on dry bricks laid in two layers over a consolidated earth fill. There must be a minimum free space of 450 mm between walls and the cement stacks all round. Between stacks of cement rows, a minimum passage width of 600 mm must me kept. For detailed information on storage procedures, refer IS: 4082.  Cement bags shall not be stacked more than 15 bags in one column.  Cement bags must be protested with water proof sheets.  To prevent undue storage of cement bags and consequential loss of strength, cement in the store must be used on first in and first out basis.  Ensure that the cement store room has minimum number of windows. 37

38.  Use of approved quality materials: Use of approved quality materials. Coarse aggregate and fine aggregate must be washed to remove organic and other deleterious materials before use.  Stacking of aggregates: Coarse aggregates must be stacked size wise separately. Similarly, fine sand used for plastering and coarse sand used for RCC/CC works must be stacked separately. Ensure that both coarse aggregates and fine aggregates are stacked on a dry and elevated ground or platform to avoid collection surface water. Ensure that coarse aggregates or fine aggregates are not stacked more than one meter in height and more than five meters in length as well as in width.  Washing of aggregate: Unless other wise specified, fine aggregate and coarse must be washed to remove deleterious material before use. 38

39.  Check on adequacy of T&P: Adequacy of T&P must be ensured before starting of concreting work.  Skills: Ensure that the skilled workers employed on the work that really need skilled personnel.  Pour card Method: CPWD does not follow concrete pour card method. But it is desirable to follow concrete pour card method. This is a method of giving written instructions given to the contractor in a card form about the concreting to be done in accordance with the contractual provisions.  Batching: Proper batching. In respect of small works, the mixers used by the contractor are generally without hopper. Batching using bowl measurement must be properly made in terms of volume of one bag of cement.  Notes on use of different qualities of cement: Prevention of mixing of different kinds of cement or different batch cements of the same kind. Each batch of cement received at site must be stacked separately displaying clearly the grade, date of manufacturing etc. for monitoring use of the same on ' first come, first out' basis. 39

40.  Checks on other aspects of cement: Weight of cement bags. Make random checks on the weight of cement bags. If the weigh of cement bags is found to be less than 50kgs each, take corrective action for batching the mix.  For quality control: For quality control a proper record of consumption of cement must be maintained.  Proper mixing: mixing shall be done for a minimum period of two minutes or 40 revolutions after all the constituents including water are put in the drum.  Concrete mix should not be used after initial setting time of cement.  The mechanical mixture used for concrete mix must of a standard make conforming to IS: 4643. 40

41.  Placing of concrete in position:  Ensure that concrete mix is used well with in the initial setting time of cement (30 minutes).  Unplanned interruptions in concreting cause cold joints. Extreme care must be taken to prevent cold joints. These are the places where previously laid concrete and the newly placed concrete have not been properly bonded.  Workability of concrete must be checked as frequently as possible as per IS: 456 and IS: 1199. Workability at site is checked by means of slump test.  Concrete shall be placed in the final position well before the initial setting time of the cement. Concrete shall not be dropped into the final position from a height exceeding 1.50 meters, above the concrete surface, so as to avoid segregation of aggregates from the mix. 41

42.  Compaction: Thickness of concrete to be laid in layers not exceeding 300 mm. If the thickness of concrete laid is higher, the probability of improper compaction is more.  Period of vibration: between 5 and 15 seconds.  Excessive vibration results in segregation of coarse aggregate from the mortar mix.  No dragging of concrete by vibrators.  No shaking of reinforcement for the sake of compaction.  Compaction must be thoroughly worked around reinforcement bars and around any fixtures.  Care must be taken to see that the vibrator doesn't touch the formwork. It if touches, it may cause distortion to the formwork.  Compaction must be completed before the initial setting time of the cement.  Due precisions must be taken to prevent bleeding. Bleeding is a phenomenon of water rising to the top separated from the mix. Bleeding results in settlement of thin cement mortar at the top resulting in weak layer at the top. Bleeding can be reduced by means of increasing the cement content, use of cement with higher fineness and proper proportioning of fine aggregate to coarse aggregate. 42

43.  JOINTS:  Construction Joints—Ensure that construction joints are made as per the approved plan.  Expansion Joints—Ensure that the specifications and drawings of the expansion joints are followed.  SAMPLING OF CONCRETE:  Ensure that the sampling of concrete is done and the C.C. cubes are cast in required numbers as per the specification and the moulds covered in gunnysacks and placed in storage boxes.  ADMIXTURES  All admixtures to cement such as plasticisers must be of approved quality and must be free from chlorides.  CURING  The freshly laid concrete must be kept under moist conditions to prevent it from quick drying and the resultant damage. Curing is essential for proper hydration of cement and it is directly related to strength, durability and waterproofing of the concrete.  Concrete in a day attains nearly sixteen percent of the strength it acquires after 28-day curing period.  Date wise record of casting of concrete must be maintained for proper monitoring of curing. 43

44.  Finishing: The CPWD Specifications stipulate that the RCC shall be cast so carefully so that the finishing plaster shall not exceed 6mm in thickness.  Abrupt irregularities shall not exceed 8 mm  Gradual irregularities shall not exceed 16 mm.  REINFORCEMENT-CHECKS ON STACKING DETAILING:  Testing—CPWD recommends for carrying out the following lab test. (1) Tensile tests as per IS: 1608. (2) Bend test as per IS: 1599. (3) Re-test as per IS: 1786 and (4) Re bend test as per IS: 1786  Reinforcement bars must be stacked in a dry and leveled area to prevent rusting and to prevent distortions.  Check up whether detailing of the reinforcement has been done as per the approved drawings.  Physical verification at the site—Diameter, weight per meter length etc. 44

45.  Supervisory checks of laying and fixing of reinforcement bars at the site: Check up whether (i) Preferably not more than one third of reinforcement bars are lapped at any one level and at any rate not more than 50% are overlapped at any cross section. Laps in respect of vertical reinforcement shall not be more than one third of the bars at any one level. (ii) Over lapping bars tied at close intervals not exceeding twice the diameter of the bar.  Keep the overlapping bars apart with each other by 25mm or 1.25 times the maximum size of coarse aggregate which ever is greater.  Ensure that the spacing of the main reinforcement bars in respect of slabs does not exceed 300 mm.  Ensure that the spacing of shear reinforcement in respect of beams does not exceed 0.75 times the effective depth or 300 mm which ever is lower. 45

46.  Ensure that the lateral ties of the column do not exceed 300 mm spacing.  Generally cover for beams will be 25 mm diameter or the maximum size of reinforcement bar which ever is higher.  For slabs, the cover shall be 15 mm or diameter of the reinforcement bar which ever is higher.  For columns up to 200 mm diameter or minimum dimension of 200 mm in respect of rectangular or square column the cover shall be 25 mm thick if the size of the bar does not exceed 12 mm and for higher size columns, the thickness of cover shall be 40 mm or preferably 50 mm or maximum longitudinal bar diameter which ever is higher.  Cover to be provided at the end of the reinforcement bars must not be less than 25 mm or not less than twice the diameter of the bar which ever is more.  Bottom of reinforcement in footings-50 mm. 46

47.  CENTERING AND SHUTTERING:  Centering and shuttering must be well designed.  The supervisor shall thoroughly inspect the formwork whether it is strictly conforming to the approved drawings—from the point of view of stability, safety and permissible limits of deflection.  If the quality of formwork is such that it absorbs water, ensure that the formwork is sufficiently wet before concrete is placed in position.  In respect of wooden formwork, adequate care must be taken to prevent swelling of formwork due to dampness and consequential damage to the concrete.  Adequate precaution must be taken in carrying out formwork so that there is no leakage of mortar through the joints. 47

48.  Introduction: ISO-9000 “Quality System” standards offer a generic frame work for any organization which can be adopted to suit the specific needs. Some construction organizations in India have taken steps to implement ISO-9000 standards. These standards can be applied to building design (through Architects or other design consultants), construction (through Contractor, sub-contractor or material supplier) and supervision of construction works (through project management consultancy organization or public works departments).  Quality Systems: Quality system may be defined as a methodology to implement various project processes with an objective to achieve desired quality standard. Application of ISO-9000 quality systems standards can be categorized in three broad areas as follows :  System related issues i.e. organizational & management responsibilities, reviews, training, documentation, recording systems etc.  Process related issues i.e. process for activity operation, handling and storage etc.  Product related issues i.e. form, feature, functions of materials and constructed works. 48

49.  Quality Audit: The establishment of quality system alone is not adequate and quality cannot be achieved. Maintenance/implementation of quality system therefore, plays a very important role in achieving the desired objectives of quality system. The major tool which ensures continued maintenance and surveillance of quality system is “Quality Audit”.  Quality audit is defined as a systematic and independent examination to ascertain compliance of quality activities and related results in accordance with planned arrangements to determine whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve organizational objectives. Quality audit is an assessment process, which is carried out by the team that is not directly responsible for that work. 49

50.  Specific objectives:  To determine conformance or non-conformance of quality system elements.  To determine and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented quality system in meeting specified quality objectives.  To verify implementation of corrective and preventive action.  To provide an opportunity to improve the quality system highlighting the potential areas specifically.  Types of Auditing: 1)Internal Audit or First Party Audit. 2) Second Party Audit. 3) External Audit (i.e. Third Party Audit)  Internal Audit (First Party Audit): This is the quality/Technical audit undertaken by the site engineers of the organization to examine its own quality systems and procedures. It provides information for effective management review, corrective and preventive actions. 50

51.  Second Party Audit: This is the quality audit undertaken by the client’s/owner’s/department’s engineers to examine the quality systems of its suppliers, consultant, contractor.  Third Party Audit: This is the quality audit undertaken by independent certification bodies to examine the quality system of supplier’s/consultant’s /contractor’s organization. There may be another type of third party quality audit like, Chief Technical Examiner of Central Vigilance Commission or external like, Central Building Research Institute/Central Road Research Institute/Indian Institute of Technology etc.  System Audit at Organizational Level: check list:  Are procedures and communication channels established and documented for organizational and technical interfaces among different groups contributing design and construction processes? 51

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53.  Are all design-input requirements documented before starting design process?  Are pre-qualified and performance rating system established, documented and followed for technical bid evaluation?  Is there a documented system for identification and inspection of hidden items in the construction viz. reinforcement, concealed plumbing and electrical works?  Are systems, frequencies, methods etc. to identify defects in constructed works and its rectification during defect liability period established?  System Audit at Operational Level: Some check list/points: -  Are all relevant documents i.e. specifications, codes, work instructions, check lists, inspection and test plans and their test procedures etc. prepared and made available to the concerned authority at site?  Are inspections & tests carried out as per inspection and test plans? 53

54.  Are the results documented?  Are adequate safety arrangements made at site?  Are adequate resources deployed at site as per plan to avoid delay?  Are maintenance records for all construction equipments maintained?  Are non-conforming items properly segregated from conforming ones with the help of markings tags?  Process Auditing: A few Check Points (in respect of RCC Works) : -  Is formwork made sufficiently rigid with the help of ties, braces, struts?  Are formwork specifically designed for complex work?  Are formwork levels and alignment correct?  In the slump as specified?  Product Audit: (A) Material Audit: Check list : - (Cement concrete)  Is principle of first-in-first-out followed for cement?  Is sand screened and silt content tested before using?  Is moisture content for sand tested to make allowance for bulkage?  Is water tested before use? 54

55. (B) Quality Audit for Construction Work: check list (Concrete work) –  In there any honey combing?  Are the level and alignment of vertical and horizontal surfaces correct?  Are there any cracks?  Are surfaces smooth?  Audit Frequency: Initially, while establishing quality system, internal audits can be carried out frequently, say once in three months. In case of third party quality/technical audit may be inspected once in 6 or 8 months.  Frequency should be changed:  If Non-conformities indentified during management review  If significant change in the existing system with respect to management, policy, techniques and technologies. 55

56.  Introduction: Managerial aspects have strong implications on the quality of design. ISO-9001 quality systems and standards do not stress adequate emphasis on customer focus and organizational involvement which are comprehensively addressed in the TQM approach.  Functions of Architecture:  1)Management function: To ensure that the project as whole is well run, and to coordinate the design process.  2)Design Function: For the completion of architectural design to the satisfactory level of performance, both the functional areas viz. design and management, need to be addressed comprehensively. Human resource management is also important in the matter of design professional services.  Determinants of Quality in Design: (a) At macro level, stages include following three determinants (aspects)/areas where quality issues need to be specifically focused:  Understanding of clients needs,  Communication needs and system.  Design solution evolution. 56

57.  (b) Understanding Client’s needs:  It is generally recognized as “customer focus” in management matter, but in architectural design, it begins with identification/recognition of “true customer” and its needs.  (c)Communication needs and system: Communication needs for design process can be broadly categorized as communication within the design team and communication with other consultants and agencies.  Communication within the design team includes inputs for design decisions, clarifications, design outputs. Communication between design team and the consultants/agencies is critical to design development. It is to be ensured for proper communication between the design team and client. 57

58.  Design Solution Evolution:  Inputs by Design Team: Here, the two issues are pertinent to note, viz, what is the task or responsibility assigned, and what is the professional freedom available.  Availability of Resources: Specially, the resources of personnel and time are being considered here. Cost is an implied resource.  Resource Utilization: While least resource utilization is an objective of design management, it depends on the availability and its quality. 58

59.  Need to Establish Quality System: In order to handle issues which are diverse and conflicting, there has to be a planned approach to address all issues systematically.  Laying down objectives of the organization to state the commitment to quality standards.  Evolve organization which is appropriate to achieve the stated goals and define how responsibilities are assigned and authority delegated.  Define procedures for design activities such as selection of contractors/consultants, allocating resources, define review/assessment procedures and establish error/correction/defect prevention mechanism.  ISO-9001 Quality System Standard provides a format to facilitate development of a comprehensive system for the needs of the organizers. Though the standard is generic but the relevant clauses can be adopted to architecture design as well. 59

60.  Limitation of Quality System: Quality system facilitates performance of the organization, as it offers the necessary frame work to carry out various tasks and lays down procedures for the tasks. Quality system alone, however, does not ensure quality of service.  Considerations in TQM: TQM may be defined as “a continuous improvement of products, processes and services through work activities which involve the entire organization in an integrated effort to satisfy the needs and expectation of the customer.” It is a people focused management system with the goal set as customer satisfaction.  TQM calls for a “shift” in the culture which is described as : 60 FormTo (i) Meeting SpecificationContinuous improvement (ii) Complete on timeSatisfy customer (iii)Focus on final productFocus on processes (iv) Inspection based qualityPrevention based (v) Minimum cost suppliersQuality suppliers (vi) People as cost burdensPeople as assets

61.  Specific areas which are considered by TQM are as follows:  Customer focus  Continued Improvement  Organizational Planning  (i) Customer Focus: The objective is to streamline all action/processes of the organization to improve performance to satisfy customer.  (ii) Continuous Improvement: Continuous Improvement is necessary in the following specific areas namely.  Quality of product (i.e. professional service).  Customer focus.  For each of these two areas following stages are necessary to plan and attain continuous improvement.  Define status  Specify objectives of continuous improvement with respect to capabilities  Plan and implement strategies for continuous improvement  Collect quality management data of performance of strategies  Analyze data  Draw results  These stages need to be repeated as a regular cycle 61

62.  (iii) Organizational Planning: In order to plan for customer focus and continued improvement, the organization must be strategically planned. This is essentially an area of human and effective management of quality processes. Organizational planning includes,  Employee improvement  Training  Performance Recognition  Welfare of human resource  TQM Implementation: Customer focus, continuous improvement and organizational planning describe various aspects of TQM philosophy. It is a step forward from quality and system and defines the direction. However, it needs a proper method for implementation. TQM is not an effort by an individual. It involves the entire organization and demands commitment at all levels. It can be implemented by beginning from top levels and right down to the lowermost employee of the organization. 62

63.  Leadership at the top of Quality Chain:  Management Functions in building design activities needs to be emphasized.  Effective communication and planning of design processes have bearing on quality of design.  Quality system ensures systematic activities.  Total Quality Management emphasizes involvement of all for quality.  Leadership ensures involvement.  Traits:  Mission,  Create Vision,  Trust Employees,  Keep Balanced Mind in crisis.  Encourage Risk Taking  Possess Knowledge  Teach and Encourage Juniors. 63

64.  Quality Plan: Various types of plans (viz, overall key plan of project, Detailed Activities plans by CPM Network, Bar Charts, Materials Procurement plan, Machinery Procurement plan and Operation Plan, Fund plan, Fund Flow plan, etc.) are prepared for a project. Quality Assurance plan is also to be prepared separately.  There are many factors that affect the quality of a product, like input materials, methodology, machinery, suitable labour, controls during various stages of a process and the final product.  Procedure: Specific way to perform an activity. It is generally a written or documented procedure usually containing the purpose and scope of activity; what shall be done and by whom, when, where and how it shall be done; what materials, equipments and documents shall be used; and how it shall be controlled and recorded. 64

65.  Certain Specific aspects of Quality Plan:  It provides a mechanism to tie up specific requirements of a product, project or contract to achieve through systematic planning. It may be used to monitor and assess adherence to the requirements. ISO-10005 (1995) provides Quality Management Guidelines for “Quality Plans.” It is intended to use in following situation.  As a guidance to a supplier organization in meeting the requirements of ISO-9003 related to the preparation of quality plan.  When quality plan is prepared, the applicable activities to achieve the quality product are defined and documented. The Quality plan may be included as part of another document(s) depending upon the product.  In certain organization there are client/owner, Project Management Consultant, Architect, Contractors and Vendors (suppliers). PMC is responsible for overall Management of project i.e. cost, time and quality.  For certain type of construction project Quality Plan is prepared. There are various Divisions viz, Engineering, Procurement, Construction etc. 65

66.  Application of TQM in Building Construction: TQM deploys the voice of the customer through the organization and mobilizes all employees to focus on continued quality improvement at a lower cost. TQM deeds with quality culture to satisfy the customer.  Increased cost of construction made it necessary to adopt most economical design, lowering the so called factor of safety. Quality is important from safety point of view and the traditional methods are not sufficient to enforce required quality.  TQM is an extension of Total Quality Control (TQC) which requires participation of all people concerned i.e. designer, contractor, supplier, inspector, services and administration. TQM improves the quality of work of all people at all levels in all functional areas of the company by identifying the precise goals of each functional area and setting objectives for each of these areas to continuously improve the quality.  TQM is a philosophy of “Zero” defects and adopts the notion that it is “more economical” to commit money and time to prevent defects than to waste it in rework/repair and other non value adding efforts. The motto of TQM is “do it right at the first time”. 66

67.  Vision: The Organization structure needs to be aligned with TQM vision, starting at the top and allowing it to cascade down the hierarchy. Top management must transform the vision into strategies and policies. Quality is not just for inspection purpose, but has to be a part of “Corporate Vision”.  Customer Satisfaction: TQM attempts for maximum satisfaction of customer. The following steps aim at promoting customer satisfaction: -  Recognize the complaints importance  Welcome complaints and criticism from the customers and use them as inputs for improvements  Realize that customer buys for his own reasons and not yours  Never pass the customer a defective product  Analyze what company did now and what can be done in future to improve the quality. 67

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69.  Introduction: Quality Circle is one method to quality control of product and process. This method was adopted first time in Japan in manufacturing of factory product after second World War. Within two decades Japan was topping the World in quality and productivity. Quality Circle is a small group of 6 to 12 of grass root employee. There will be number of such groups in one factory or working place. They voluntarily meet together on a regular basis to identify improvements in their respective work areas. The group may meet weekly for one hour. Quality Circles are a people-building philosophy providing self-motivated without any compulsion. In the weekly meetings they identify, analyse and resolve their work related problems. 69

70.  Concept and Objective: The concept of quality circle is primarily based upon recognition of the value of the worker as a human being, as someone who willingly acts on his job, his wisdom, intelligence, experience, attitude and feelings. Quality Circle concept has three major attributes : —  Quality Circle is a form of participation management. Quality Circle is human resource development technique. Quality Circle is a problem solving technique.  Following are objectives of Quality Circles : -  (a)Change in Attitude : From “I don’t care” to I do care.  Continuous improvement in quality of work life through humanization of work.  (b)Self Development : Bring out “Hidden Potential” of people.  People get to learn additional skills.  (c)Development of Team Spirit : Individual Vs. Team - I could not do but we did it. Eliminate inter department conflicts.  (d)Improved Orginisational Culture : Positive working environment. Total involvement of people at all levels.  Higher motivational level. Participative Management process. 70

71.  Organizational Structure: Structure of Quality Circle consists of:-  A steering Committee: This is at the top of the structure. It is headed by a senior executive and includes representatives from the top management of personal and human resource development people. It establishes policy, plans and directs the programme and meets usually once in a month.  Co-ordinator: He may be a Personal or Administrative Officer who co- ordinates and supervises the work of the facilitators and administers the programme.  Facilitator: He may be a senior Supervisory Officer. He co-ordinates the works of several quality circles through the circle leaders.  Circle Leader: Leaders may be from lowest level worker or supervisors. A Circle leader organizes and conducts Circle activities.  Circle Members: They may be staff workers. Without Circle members the programme can not exist. They should attend all meetings as far as possible, offer suggestions and ideas, participate actively in group process, take training seriously with a receptive attitude. 71

72.  Process of Operation: The operation of quality circles involves: -  Problem identification : Identify a number of problems.  Problem section: Decide priority & select problem to be taken up first.  Problem Analysis : Problem is clarified and analysed by basic problem solving methods.  Generate alternative solutions : Identify and evaluate causes and generate number of possible alternative solutions.  Select the most appropriate solution: Discuss and evaluate the alternative solutions by comparision in terms of investment and return from the investment.  Prepare plan of action : Prepare plan of action for converting the solution into reality which includes the considerations “who, what, when, why and how” of solving problems.  Implementation of Solution : The management evaluates recommended solution. Tested and implemented on a full scale. 72

73.  Basic Problem Solving Techniques:  Brain storming  Pareto Diagrams  Cause and Effective analysis.  Data Collection  Data analysis :  The tools used for data analysis are :  Tables  Bar Charts  Histograms  Circle Graphs  Line graphs  Scat tengrams  Control Charts 73

74.  Application in Govt. Organizations: It is also possible to adopt Quality Circle method for ensuring quality, solving problems and efficient process to execute maintenance and construction works.  Ultimate customer in such Government organization (viz. PWD) is the common man. PWD, Maharastra introduced Quality Circle method one decade ago. Quality circles were formed in Mumbai Region. 48 Quality Circle were formed in Pune Region. Chief Engineer exists in various regions. It was found that many problems were solved by adopting Quality Circle in PWD, Maharastra.  Examples of some problems solved are like, eliminating delay in issuing inspection notes, preventing accidents on highways, avoiding duplication of work, removed encroachment from Govt, land, speeding up pot-hole repair work on roads during monsoon period etc. The PWD, Maharastra has set an example for the Government organizations marching on the path of Quality improvement. 74

75.  Attempt any two question.  Write about major determinants of quality control.  Discuss in brief quality assurance program (QAP).  Explain in brief quality dimensions for earthwork.  Explain in brief quality dimensions for RCC work.  Discuss about quality audit in construction works as per ISO 9000.  Write about total quality management in building design.  Discuss in brief quality plan in building construction.  Discuss in brief about quality circle method. 75