As required by the contract specifications, the contractor shall establish a test program to ensure that all required testing is properly identified, planned, documented and performed under controlled and suitable environmental conditions, including cleanliness.
Such test procedures shall incorporate or reference the requirements as contained in the contract technical specifications, codes, and industry standards. As per the quality control program QCP, the contractor shall submit the test procedures to client for review and acceptance prior to their implementation.
The contractor shall be responsible for establishing a system of daily test reports that will record all QC test results. Test results from each day’s work period shall be submitted to client/consultant prior to the start of the next day’s work period.
When required by the technical specifications, the contractor shall maintain statistical QC charts. The contractor’s responsible technician and the QCM shall sign the daily test reports. Client’s QA Staff will review test results on a daily basis and identify any non-conforming test results for discussion with the contractor regarding potential corrective action.
Field Testing Procedures
The Contractor will conduct field-testing to verify that control measures are adequate to provide a product that conforms to contract requirements.
Field testing will be conducted under the auspices of the quality control manager QCM and he or his designee shall:
- Arrange for, or conduct, field testing in accordance with applicable test parameters
- Verify that facilities and testing equipment are available and comply with testing standards
- Check test equipment calibration data against certified standards.
- Verify that all tests are documented as per project documentation procedure and submitted as part of quality control system reporting.
- Review all test documentation prior to submittal.
Test Schedules
Contractor shall follow the following test schedules for major materials and works in the project:
Qualification Test of Aggregate Materials
| Test
Parameter |
Test Method | Minimum QC
Testing Frequency by Contractor |
Acceptance Criteria
(verified by QA) |
| Coarse Aggregate | |||
| Grain-size distribution | ASTM D422
or C136 |
1 stock pile and change of source | In accordance with ASTM D422 or C136 |
| Moisture Content | ASTM D2974 | 1 stock pile and change of source | As reported for establishing the range of optimum moisture content |
| Compaction
Characteristics |
ASTM D1557 | 1 stock pile and change of source | As reported for establishing the range of optimum compaction |
| Fine Aggregate | |||
| Grain-size distribution | ASTM D422
or C136 |
1 stock pile and change of source | In accordance with ASTM D422 or C136 |
| Moisture Content | ASTM D2974 | 1 stock pile and change of source | As reported for establishing the range of optimum moisture content |
| Compaction
Characteristics |
ASTM D1557 | 1 stock pile and change of source | As reported for establishing the range of optimum compaction |
Qualification Test Schedule of Stone Aggregate Materials
| Test Parameter | Test Method | Minimum QC
Testing Frequency by Contractor |
Acceptance Criteria (verified by QA) |
| Sieve Analysis | ASTM C136; C33 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | Max coarse aggregate size of No. 57 or 67 gradation per ASTM C33. Fine aggregate shall pass No. 4 sieve, gradation to conform with ASTM C33 |
| Organic Impurities | ASTM C40 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | Fine aggregate not darker than reference standard color per ASTM C40. Sand exhibiting a color darker than the referenced color shall be rejected. |
| Soundness | ASTM C33 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | Loss resulting after 5 cycles not to exceed 8% for coarse aggregate or 10% for fine aggregate when using sodium sulfate solution or 11% for coarse aggregate or 14% for fine aggregate when using magnesium sulfate per ASTM C33 |
| Abrasion | ASTM C131 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | Loss not to exceed 10.5% after 100 revolutions, 42% after 500 revolutions |
| Deleterious Materials | ASTM C33 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | In accordance with tables in ASTM C33 |
| Material Finer than 200 Sieve | ASTM C117 | Prior to use in concrete mix and whenever character or source is changed | Not to exceed 1% for gravel or 1.5% for crushed aggregate per ASTM C33 |
TESTING SCHEDULE OF PORTLAND CEMENT
| Test Parameter | Test Method | Minimum QC
Testing Frequency by Contractor |
Acceptance Criteria
(verified by QA) |
| Chemical & Physical
Requirements |
ASTM C150 | Once for the brand | In accordance with tables in ASTM C150 |
TESTING SCHEDULE OF PILES
| Test Parameter | Test Method | Minimum QC
Testing Frequency by Contractor |
Acceptance Criteria
(verified by QA) |
| Load Test | ASTM D1143 | Prior to driving | A compressive load of 300% of design load shall be applied to each compressive load test pile |
TESTING SCHEDULE OF CONCRETE
| Test Parameter | Test Method | Minimum QC
Testing Frequency by Contractor |
Acceptance Criteria
(verified by QA) |
| Compressive Strength | ASTM C39 | 1 per each day’s placing; test at 7 and 28 days | Min 3600 psi |
| Slump Test | ASTM C143 | When compression
test cylinders are cast |
In accordance with ASTM
C143. Slump values: Reinforced concrete general: 4” (100mm), Non-reinforced Concrete 3” (75mm) Pavement, sidewalk 3” (75mm), Slab on grade 3” (75mm) and Floor toppings 2” (50mm) |
| Water Cement Ratio | Preliminary testing of mix design | Limit to 0.52 |
QA Testing
The Contractor understands that QA Staff will be responsible for the Quality Assurance; they will carry out QA materials sampling and testing program.
Contractor shall extend full cooperation to the client in carrying out QA inspection and tests. QA testing is provided for the verification of the adequacy and effectiveness of the contractor’s QC testing. QA testing performed by Client’s QA staff and is independent of and in addition to QC testing performed by contractors.
QA testing may be performed on a pre-established schedule or as directed by Client. Quality assurance testing will be performed by or under supervision of the QA staff to validate the contractor’s QC sampling and testing.
When QA and QC test results do not compare or have wide variances, additional testing may be needed to validate the results. The need for QA testing shall be based on the following considerations:
- Importance of the item as to its reliability, etc;
- Need to perform quality checks for fabrication sequences not available for inspection at completion; and
- Deficiencies are discovered.
QA testing shall be performed in accordance with the following:
The QA staff shall develop a weekly quality test and inspection schedule using the construction activity forecast as a guide. The schedule shall:
− Identify the QA test activities.
− Identify the hold points
The contractor shall be provided a one-day advance notice of impending hold points.