Construction is a complex job. The end-product is an edifice that speaks for itself about the quality of work delivered by the contractor. The construction phases involve a diverse number of stakeholders- from a mason-level to the cliental extent, the stakes vary from low to high. Construction Quality Management is thus important. The job has to be done with full quality controls.
Construction quality management is a vast field that revolves around consolidated processes from material quality control to the altogether aesthetics of the finished product. Quality standards are met when the cliental-side and the other teams involved are satisfied that the delivered system is the exact replica of what needed to be constructed.
The best part is, that you don’t need to hire a professional civil engineer if you are aspiring for initiating construction of a small property- a house or a barn it may be. All because this post will equip you with the basic guidelines of how you are going to get the best quality construction. Quality checks you can apply on the privately-hired masons or any contractor you intend to hire for the construction purpose.
Talking about quality standards in construction, the most basic and essential levels of focus are the material quality controls. A good material eventually turns out to reinforce the overall outlook and structure of the constructed development. The raw materials in this scenario carry the most weightage.
Material Quality control: Focus the raw material
Quality control and quality assurance are the key factors when deciding upon property quality assurance. The equipment, materials and processes need to be in the limelight when being used for construction purposes. If ignored or compromised, it may attract risks and low-quality implementation.
Starting from the raw materials used in construction in Pakistan:
- Cement
- Sand
- Aggregate/Crush
- Bricks
- Steel
Assessment of Sand Material used in Construction
Sand is basically used as a filler or binder of the other raw materials. It has a tough job to do. Thus, its quality is mandatory. According to the nature of the construction being carried out, the requirement of sands vary. The variety envelops Lawrancepur Sand, Ravi Sand, Sakhi Sarwar Sand that is commonly in use around Pakistan. Good quality sand has the following attributes:
- It contains a silt level of less than 4%.
- It has a minimal level of small stones and mud-balls.
- The size of particles of a good sand sample varies from 1/16mm to 2mm.
Smart in-situ check:
Take a small quantity of sand and put it in water. Shake well. Observes the settling of sand at the bottom. The suspended particles show the impurities added to increase the weight and quantity and thus the price tags.
Assessment of Bricks used in Construction
Bricks are the main building blocks of a building. During construction and at the time of buying material, you need to focus the following to skim out the best brick for your construction activities:
- It has to be well burnt in the kiln.
- Cracks need to be there on the surface to result in a good binding.
- The shape and size should be uniform, (Standard brick size in Pak: 9”×4.5”×3” )
- Should give out a clear sound when struck.
Smart in-situ check::
Soak the brick in water for 24 hours. See if white salts effluent comes out. Not a good sign. You can repeat the test for 3-4 samples and work out the best one for your construction.
Assessment of Cement used in Construction
Cement is a powerful binder for bricks used in construction. It is also added in the batching mixer to form concrete-mix. For material quality controls you should see if your selected sample of cement has the following attributes:
- Greenish-grey color
- No lumps or dust
- Weight of standard cement is 1440kg/cum
- The initial setting time is 30-45 minutes and will finally set in 10 hours.
Smart in-situ check::
Throw a small quantity on a water bucket, the sample has to float before sinking. If it sinks immediately, it indicates the presence of impurities.
In addition to that, it is strictly recommended to refrain from storing the cement in a humid atmosphere as it can affect its chemical composition
Assessment of Aggregate used in Construction
Stones are aggregate material that is inserted in the batching plant to make concrete. If impurities adhere to the surface. It is the basic player that adds strength to the overall structure of the building. The healthier the combination of aggregate with the cement material, the stronger is the end-product.
Main guidelines to check the quality is:
- Variable shapes of aggregate add to form a well-graded mixture.
- No additional colors should it contain.
Assessment of Steel used in Construction
Steel is used in combination with concrete to add reinforcement to the overall strength and durability of the structure. It is essential to apply the rules of construction quality management to steel bars when choosing out the best one. What attributes a good steel bar has are:
- Free from cracks
- Not rusted
- The standard weight of steel is 7850kg/cum
Smart in-situ check:
The bend test tells you enough about the quality of the steel. Bend a steel-rod at 90 to 350-degree angle. Again make it straight. If no cracks appear, you are good to go with this one.
In case of a more detailed and engineering study of quality controls and material assessment codes, you can further move to ASCE online web-source.
Sirmaya.com deals in real estate property but aims at keeping you informed about the basic guidelines of quality controls in construction. The goal is to help the construction industry of Pakistan, starting from the grass-root level. With reference to the benefits Pakistan’s real estate sector will enjoy due to PM Imran Khan’s recent incentive package, we have tried our best to play our role.
Be informed of the eensy-weensy technicalities and act smart! Make your way to an easy and quality-level construction.
