1986. Quality assurance and quality control for post-tensioned concrete structures (PDF)

At the meeting of the FIP Commission on Practical Construction, held during the 1982 FIP Congress in Stockholm, it was decided to form a Working Group dealing with Quality Assurance and Quality Control for post-tensioned concrete structures. Subsequently, Mr J. Lindgren agreed to chair this Working Group.

Quality assurance has been successfully implemented in other industries, such as nuclear and aeronautical engineering and, more recently, in offshore projects. It is my belief that the concept also offers benefits to more conventional industries such as construction. It is, however, necessary to adapt the system to suit the conditions prevailing in our industry and to “sell” the idea to all parties involved.

I would also like to emphasise the importance of the basic ideas behind the proposed QA system: forward thinking through “engineering for quality” rather than “inspection for quality”; and recognition that the people performing the work are those best qualified to supervise and verify compliance with specified quality criteria. Clients and authorities should direct their efforts mainly towards the audit function.

A QA system based upon these concepts will undoubtedly improve the quality of our structures, and its direct costs will be offset by savings in areas such as accident avoidance.

It is hoped that this Guide to Good Practice will be well received not only by those directly responsible for the construction process, but also by their partners in the construction process: the authorities, clients and consultants. I congratulate the Chairman and the members of the Working Group for having succeeded in presenting this complex topic in a clear and concise manner.