QUALITY CONTROL IN THE CONCRETE INDUSTRY

In an examination of the difficulties of concrete quality control, the paper discusses the desirable properties of fresh and hardened concrete. Relevant clauses are also discussed of standard SABS 0157:part 1: quality systems for design, manufacture and installation as pertaining to quality control of concrete. Costs of quality assurance schemes are discussed. Quality control is defined by the author as the regulatory process through which quality performance is measured. Quality assurance is also then defined as the activity of providing evidence that the quality function is being adequately performed. The paper evaluates practical difficulties faced by a manufacturer in attempting to comply with standards which call for quality control. Such aspects of quality control are discussed as concrete properties, acceptance tests and costs of verification testing. (TRRL)