Abstract:
Globally, failure of mass and reinforced concrete structures are frequently reported in the
mass media. In Ghana, the failure of concrete structures is a yearly experience with dire
consequences. Generally, the causes of failures include; lapses in design and construction,
change in intended usage and deterioration of materials and components. To a large extent,
the poor quality of concrete remains a significant issue. The aim of the study was to explore
the implementation of quality assurance practices in the production of concrete by
construction firms in Ghana and develop strategies for effective quality assurance in
concrete production. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. The
target population of the study comprised construction project team professionals in D1K1
construction companies within the Greater Accra Region. A structured questionnaire was
used to collect data from construction project team members namely; Project Managers,
Project Engineers, Site Engineers, Quality officers, works superintendents and site
supervisors. Systematic random sampling was adopted to select the construction
professionals covered in the survey using the sampling frame compiled for the list of the
construction professionals. A sample size of ninety-five (95) was selected using Cochran’s
formula and a response rate of 77% was achieved. The data collected was analyzed using
descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The
findings reveal effective quality assurance practices to include; the design of concrete
products to fit use or purpose, production of concrete products to specifications and
standards, a strict regime of supervision by experienced personnel, striving for excellence,
adherence to the information contained in drawings and evaluation of performance
requirements. It found that all construction project team members as respondents have a fair
knowledge about the elements of quality assurance practices in concrete production. The
major challenges faced by companies in their quest to ensure quality assurance practices
included; difficulty to keep permanently employed key site operatives for concrete
operations due to financial constraints, inappropriate use of construction materials in their
right proportions, and difficulty getting certain skilled personnel for a specific task. It further
revealed materials in the concrete mix must be free from impurities, be well-graded
aggregates and required proportions of water-cement ratio should be used in an attempt to
implement quality assurance practices. In conclusion, constructors and construction project
team members in the construction industry must appropriately develop programs and
principles that will necessarily ensure effective quality assurance practices in all types of
projects. It, therefore, recommended that the implementation of formal quality management
systems by all construction companies must be encouraged by the management of
companies.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION,
submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba,
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of
Philosophy (Construction Technology) degree