Why the Quality of Concrete Construction for Infrastructure Contracts Must Not be Undermined by Inappropriate Design Code Assumptions

Abstract

The concept of a draft international project specification (DIPS) has long been under consideration in relevant fib Task Groups, - even before the framework Standard, ISO 22966 (Execution of concrete structures) was published (2009). However, the quality requirements of ISO 22966 were developed from the product quality inspection principles of the Eurocodes and ISO 9001:2000; and the author has explained why these principles cannot be applied directly to contract works. Furthermore, these principles do not demand the necessary level of high-performance concreting and supervision to produce defect-free structures and the 100 plus year service life which Owners expect. The original ISO 9001:1987 was a simple, contractually effective model quality system specification which “aimed primarily at preventing nonconformity,” (the fundamental purpose of quality assurance). Its most powerful element was ‘process control’ (including ‘special processes’), and it demanded that all processes which could adversely affect quality must be addressed by effective documented preventive procedures in the Contractor’s Project Quality Plan (PQP). The Contractor had to document exactly how he would perform each (special) concreting process and then demonstrate that his proposed procedures worked. Since 2000, this powerful combination of mandatory quality planning requirements has been removed from most specifications for concrete works; but this is precisely what needs to be restored if Owners’ and Designers’ durability expectations are to be consistently achieved. The author now proposes an amended draft version of the International Project Specification, - hoping that it will soon be used on a trial basis on selected construction contracts for reinforced and prestressed concrete bridgeworks in China, Australia, United States and Europe.

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