Quality Management System (QMS) in Concrete Construction

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Quality Management System (QMS) for concrete construction must be considered as an important part of the construction project. A set of detailed guidelines regarding the quality management of concrete construction is called as QMS. QMS guidelines will help to improve the quality of the construction in a methodical way by implementing:

1. Quality Process
2. Quality Functions
3. Quality Tasks

What is the Need for Quality Management System (QMS) in Construction?

The quality of a project will be dependent from the start to end activities involved in the whole project. This starts with the procurement of construction materials till the curing of the casted structural member. Every step between these stages must be performed with utmost quality. Deviation from this will bring failure and penalty issues to the contractor in charge. QMS guidelines for concrete construction will include the steps to maintain the strength of the concrete within the limit recommended and a to built a durable structure. Having a porous member, corroded reinforcement and many other reasons affect the lifespan of the structure. These issues are avoided by implementing QMS in construction. The document representing the QMS guidelines must have the step to step procedure to conduct all the concreting activities. This document is kept as a standard which will involve all the standard test procedures for the construction materials like aggregates, cement, and admixtures. A quality management system will have a checklist for formworks, embedments, reinforcement works throughout the construction stage. Read More: Checklist for Formwork in Construction

Conformity and Non-Conformity of Construction Process in QMS

While implementing QMS in construction, we will develop standard operating procedures (SOP) for each and every concreting process inline with the QMS requirement. Along with this, there exist certain key performance indicators in order to check the efficiency, deviations etc of the process. Any deviation from the SOPs or QMS standard requirements ( ISO 9001) then the process will be stated as a non-conforming process. If the concrete activities follow the procedures as per the standard, it is called as a conforming process. If non-conformity has occurred corrective actions are implemented. Some of the corrective actions in concrete execution works are:

• Testing of concrete compressive strength subsequently
• Analysing the stability of concrete structures by the new calculation
• Concrete repair caused due to the inadequate care and protection
• Adjusting the geometry of concrete elements
• Adjusting the consistency of fresh concrete

Benefits of a Quality Management System (QMS) in Concrete Construction

Mentioned below are the major benefits of QMS in concrete construction:

1. The quality management system documents will help to track the quality of the construction activities from the start to the end of the project. This record will help as a reference for future projects.
2. The quality of construction works at the site like handling works, concrete curing, sampling and testing procedures are improved. This will help to reduce the chances of potential liability that can be imposed on the company.
3. Having a QMS for a construction company will develop quality personnel and quality practices. This, in turn, will help improve the perception of the customers towards the company.
4. Having a high-quality construction practice reduces the wastage of resources. This also facilitates smooth movement of the team within the budgeted cost.