ADIGRAT UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION THECHNOLOGY AND
MANAGEMENT

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

ON

ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR

PRODUCTION OF HCB

ID
BY: ABEL ZENEBE…………………………..... RET 2615/07
ROBEL GRBREZGHIER …………........... RET4009/07
SAMSOM GIDEY…………………............. RET4049/07
ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

Abstract
Construction industry is one of the most booming industries in the whole world. Building is one
typical area of construction industry and consists of an assembly of materials and components,
joined together in such a way as to allow the building to fulfill its primary purpose.
Hollow concrete blocks are substitutes for conventional bricks and stones in building construction.
They are lighter than bricks, easier to place and also confer economics in foundation cost and
consumption of cement. In comparison to conventional bricks, they offer the advantages of
uniform quality, faster speed of construction, lower labor involvement and longer durability. In
view of these advantages, hollow concrete blocks are being increasingly used in construction
activities. HCB is one of the most commonly used construction materials in building construction.
It is a mixture of cement, sand, fine aggregate and water, combined together in the correct
proportions to give a strong, dense, homogeneous material. When we are dealing with HCB for
building project works, especially by contract, the need for a Quality control is essential QC
embodies, in the appropriate organization, specification development, process control, product
acceptance, training, communications, and laboratory and technician certification. The materials
required for the production of HCB and their mixing ratio differs from site to site depending on
the availability of the materials and the ratio that fulfills the required strength.
Our thesis is designed to solve the problems that can arise during the production of HCB,
evaluation criteria’s to mitigate defects in HCB production, and to make sure whether the HCB
are produced according to the standard or not. It should be reminded that all professionals and
firms involved in the building construction industry have to give special emphasis to quality
control. Factors that bring variations on quality of HCB production are quality of ingredients,
variation in HCB production processes and quality of work man ship and these bring quality
problems such as low strength, poor appearance of completed HCB sections, poor ingredient
material, poor HCB casting etc.
Quality management is a method of scheming to transform qualitative user demands into
quantitative parameters, to organize the functions forming quality, and to organize methods for
achieving the design quality into subsystems and component parts, and ultimately to specific
elements of the built-up process.

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Thesis proposal
ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

Therefore, the aim of the research focuses to identify this HCB production quality management
and its evaluation system related to quality implementation problems on building construction
projects in adigrat town. The research study would be carried out using the construction document
reviews, questionnaire surveys, interviews and construction site observations. Then using analysis,
the quality problem regarding HCB production will be identified and the respective remedial
measures will be suggested.
Keywords: HCB; quality; ingredients; Quality management system; building projects

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

Table of Contents
Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... i
List of figure ................................................................................................................................................ iv
List of Table .................................................................................................................................................. iv
ACCRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................ iv
1. CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Objective of the Research ............................................................................................................. 3
1.3.1 General Objective ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.2 Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Research questions or hypothesis .................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................................... 3
1.6 Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................................... 4
1.7 limitations of the study ..................................................................................................................... 4
2. CHAPTER TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Literature review .............................................................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER 3. METHODS AND PROCEDURES ....................................................................................... 6
3.1 Data collection method ..................................................................................................................... 6
3.2 Data analysis method ........................................................................................................................ 6
3.3 Research process ............................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 4. RESULTS (EXPECTED OUTCOME) ................................................................................. 8
i. Work plan (Time Schedule) ........................................................................................................... 8
ii. Financial Requirement (Budgeted plan)........................................................................................... 9
REFRENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 11

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

List of figure

Figure 1 : process of thesis research .......................................................................................................... 7

List of Table

Table 1 : time schedule of the research ..................................................................................................... 9

Table 2: budget estimation for carrying out the research ..................................................................... 10

ACCRONYMS

CMU…………….concrete masonry unit

HCB……………...hollow concrete block
QM……………….quality management
QC………………..quality control
QA………………..quality assurance

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

1. CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background
A Hollow concrete block is primarily used as a building material in the construction of walls. It is
sometimes called a concrete masonry unit (CMU). A concrete block is one of several precast
concrete products used in construction. The term precast refers to the fact that the blocks are
formed and hardened before they are brought to the job site. Most concrete blocks have one or
more hollow cavities, and their sides may be cast smooth or with a design. In use, concrete blocks
are stacked one at a time and held together with fresh concrete mortar to form the desired length
and height of the wall. The concrete commonly used to make concrete blocks is a mixture of
powdered Portland cement, water, sand, and gravel. This produces a light gray block with a fine
surface texture and a high compressive strength. A typical concrete block weighs 38-43 lb (17.2-
19.5 kg). In general, the concrete mixture used for blocks has a higher percentage of sand and a
lower percentage of gravel and water than the concrete mixtures used for general construction
purposes. This produces a very dry, stiff mixture that holds its shape when it is removed from the
block mold. .
The Quality of HCB production should also maintaining the quality of construction works at the
required standard so as to obtain customers satisfaction. There are plenty of factors affecting the
quality of HCB such as design, raw materials, machinery, production, technical measures,
assessment systems, and the like. Because of the fixed project location, large volume and different
location of different projects, the poor control of these factors may produce quality problems with
production of HCB.
The word “control” represents a management tool with four basic steps, namely, setting quality
standards, checking conformance with the standards, Acting when the standards are not met, and
Assessing the need for changes in the standards. The concept of total quality management is
defined as the controls applied at each manufacturing stage to consistently produce a quality
product.

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Various building construction projects have been undertaken in adigrat. These projects consume
large amount of resources and thus money. However, the quality of HCB production in building
is generally not seen to be constructed as per the universally accepted quality standards.
Statement of the problem is designed to respond the problems that can arise when the product is
in test design stages, manufacturing materials, or in customer’s hand. It should be reminded that
all professionals and firms involved in the building construction industry have to give special
emphasis to quality control. Factors that bring variations on HCB product quality are quality of
ingredients, variation in HCB production processes and quality of work man ship and these bring
quality problems such as low strength, poor appearance of completed HCB sections, poor
ingredient material, poor HCB construction etc.
Therefore; identifying quality problems in production of HCB in adigrat and suggest solution in
improving the quality of HCB there by benefiting the users in; is the main target that this thesis
under taken.

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

1.3 Objective of the Research

1.3.1 General Objective
The general objective of this research is to assess and evaluate quality control problems in the
process of the production of Hollow concrete blocks (HCB).

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the study are:
1) To investigating practices of HCB quality testing in after production and the recommended
scientific approaches stipulated on literatures and code of standards.
2) To collect the test result data from the site and to compare the selected test result with the
standard.
3) To give a reasonable recommendation on the assessment of HCB production related quality
problems.

1.4 Research questions or hypothesis

Here are some research questions which helps to give a deep understanding on the existing
problem and forward solution.
RQ1. How the quality of HCB production is being maintained in production site.
RQ2. What are the major sources and factors that affect quality of HCB production?
RQ3. How can entertain building companies (consumers) of produced HCB for QM, QC and QA
and how to implement quality control issues?
RQ4. What is the possible measurement to minimize quality control problems in HCB
production?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The outcome of this research will be of immense value to the success of quality HCB products
and its assurance system in Building Construction.

To identify quality control problems of HCB production and to assess evaluation

criteria’s.
Based on the analysis and evaluation, the quality control problem on HCB
production will be identified and the respective remedial measures will be suggested.

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

To make a reasonable recommendation on the assessment quality problems

regarding production of HCB

This research expected to give benefits for HCB manufacturers, supervisors, construction owners
and researchers regarding to quality problems with HCB production.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This thesis work concerns about quality control problems in HCB production through
 Formation detail literature review
 Collecting and analyzing data about cause and effect of quality control problems in HCB
production.
 Case study of selected HCB production sites in Adigrat area.

1.7 limitations of the study

Our research limitation factors are listed below:-

Workmanship skill problem

Remoteness of laboratory and unavailability of on time
Unwillingness of the professionals to help us
Insufficiency of necessary materials (like cement, sand, aggregate)
Unavailability of test equipment’s

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

2. CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Literature review

Hollow concrete block” have become a regular or frequent choice today in construction
activities as these blocks offer various benefits, simplicities in their use as building elements,
strength comparable with the conventional blocks like bricks, facilities to get reinforced
thereby increasing the strength of constructed units, facility for better finish, adoptability for
getting desired architectural shapes and beauty and above all rendering economy in
construction. With these aspect under study the authors concentrated upon some case studies
indicating the uses of HCBs in the construction of beam, walls etc. to study the outcomes of
these studies and have, then based on the investigations of these case studies reviewed the
various aspect related to the uses of HCBs. The paper briefly reviews all the above points
referred.

Quality control is critically important to a successful production of HCB and should be adhered
to throughout a production process from conception and design to construction and installation.

Quality control during HCB production consists largely of insuring conformance to the original
design and standards. Once the standards have been made, focus shifts to construction.

To control quality during the production process, the specification of quality requirements in
the design and contract documentation becomes extremely important. Quality requirements
should be clear and verifiable, so that all parties in the project can understand the requirements
for conformance.

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Thesis proposal
ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

CHAPTER 3. METHODS AND PROCEDURES

3.1 Data collection method
Both primary and secondary data will be collected.

- Primary data will be gathered through questionnaires and interview (unstructured). This type of
information is needed to know and investigate the actual practice at construction site regarding of
their quality control mechanisms.
- Secondary data will be collected through literature review for concept development and for the
preparation of the questionnaires and it will also be used to limit questions that will be raised in the
study.
- Instrument to collect the information
o Questionnaires
o Interview summary form
o Recording sheet

3.2 Data analysis method

 Intensive follow up will be carried out in the case of collecting questionnaire responses.
 Interview summary form will be prepared which we complete as soon as possible after each
interview has taken place. This form will help us to remind about the contact and are useful
when we come to analyze the data.
 Data from different projects will be compared and contrasted with the literature review.

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

3.3 Research process

Litrature review

design questionaires and

unstructured interview

data collection

Analysis and discusion

Thesis writing

Figure 1 : process of thesis research

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 ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

CHAPTER 4. RESULTS (EXPECTED OUTCOME)

This chapter consists of the research findings and discussions. The findings here are based on the
analysis of collected fieldwork data for the HCB quality management and its Assurance System
conducted on HCB production sites and responses from experts through an organized interview
questions.
A short description of general characteristics of the project and research respondents which
Participated in interview is presented at the beginning for clear understanding of these findings
and analysis. Then, analysis of the data regarding to the research interview questionnaires and
observations done at the studied sites is described. The analysis mainly deals with the current HCB
quality management and its practices in adigrat Town HCB manufacturing companies and
Building Construction projects and the Practice to improve the current HCB quality to better level
based on observations and respondents opinion by comparing to the standards and scientific
concrete production practices.
i. Work plan (Time Schedule)
The research project is expected to be completed by the end of June. The following table shows
the detailed schedule of the study.
Time schedule for the research

MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

WORK Mar 19- Apr 2- Apr 9- Apr 16- Apr 23- Apr30- May 7- May 14- May21-
NO. DISCRIPTION mar 28 Apr 8 Apr 15 Apr 22 Apr 29 May 6 May 13 May 20 May30 May31-Jun 18

Title selection
and approval
1

Literature
Review and
collection of
necessary
documents and
2 materials

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 ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

Preparing
questionnaires
and interview
guide
(unstructured)

Questionnaire
Distribution&
4 Collection
5 Data Analysis
testing
material,
discussion and
interpretation

6 preparing
Final research

Table 1 : time schedule of the research

ii. Financial Requirement (Budgeted plan)

A) Stationary Item
Unit Price in Total Cost in
No. Item Unit Quantity
ETB ETB
1 Printing paper Pkt 1 120 120
2 Note book No. 3 12 36
3 Folders/bags No. 3 30 90
4 Pen Pkt 1 100 100
5 Staples Pkt 2 6 12
6 Stapler No 1 35 35
Sub-total 393

b) Transport expense
Cost No. Unit Trip Total
No. Departure Destination
description Trips cost Cost

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ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR PRODUCTION OF HCB

1 Researcher adigrat Study area 5 5 25

Sub-Total 25

c) Photocopy, printing and binding services

No. Types Unit Total

1 Copying questionnaires and secretarial Unspecified 300

services
2 Draft and Final report production Unspecified 600

Sub-Total 900

Budget Summary
Item
Cost Description Sub-Total Costs
No.
A. Stationery 393
B. Transport Expense 25
Photocopy, printing 900
C. and binding services
Total budget 1318
Contingency(5% of total 65.9
budget)

Grand Total Budget 1383.90

Table 2: budget estimation for carrying out the research

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REFRENCES
1) Abebe Dinku, (June 2002); Construction Materials Laboratory Manual, Addis Ababa
University press. Made of locally available scoria and pumice aggregates, Journal of
2) Quality Control in Construction Projects By Zane Satterfield, P.E. –
3) Hollow concrete block pdf manual
4) Ibracon structures and materials journal:strength and deformbility of Hollow concrete
blocks
5) International journal of modern engineering(IJMER):hollow concrete blocks
6) ) Mikias Abayneh, (June 1987) Construction Materials a Teaching Material Addis Ababa
University press.

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