Concreting for construction- Quality control by six sigma approach

Abstract

A quality intensive approach towards construction concreting for the commercial industry is gaining immense importance and it has become the prime duty of every engineer to contribute towards ensuring durability and serviceability of the offered concrete. In this paper, a discussion is presented on a possible way of assuring quality of concrete by implementing six sigma principle to reduce the variability in characteristics among various batches. The methodology of DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control) is applied to the concreting process, considering the Compressive Strength as the Critical to Quality (CTQ) factor. The concrete samples obtained from an RMC were tested for compressive strength at 3, 7 and 28 days, tabulated and analysed for variations. Also, different types of cements used are considered. Sigma levels are identified and suggestions for improving the levels are recommended, which in turn tend to reduce variations and thus streamline the strength values within narrow limits. Control charts as guidelines for further concreting are established.