Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/quality Assurance and Method Specifications

Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/quality Assurance and Method Specifications
Author: Mansour Solaimanian
Publisher:
Total Pages: 120
Release: 1998
Genre: Asphalt concrete
ISBN:

This purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of the hot mix asphalt concrete produced under quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) specification item 3063. During the first phase of this project, conducted between September 1996 and February 1997, an extensive amount of technical information and numerical information was gathered and analyzed. During the second phase of this project, various other activities were carried out, including a survey of other states to assess their approach in developing and implementing QC/QA specifications, a physical survey of QC/QA and non-QC/QA specification projects in Texas, and a limited evaluation of the cost of the projects. This report presents the results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on the collected information and on the work performed during the course of this research program.

Alternate Polish Value and Soundness Specifications for Bituminous Coarse Aggregates

Alternate Polish Value and Soundness Specifications for Bituminous Coarse Aggregates
Author: Chien N. Fu
Publisher:
Total Pages: 142
Release: 1998
Genre: Aggregates (Building materials)
ISBN:

Polish value and 5-cycle magnesium sulfate soundness are the primary quality requirements in current Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) specifications for bituminous coarse aggregate sources in two critical categories - (I) aggregates with high polish value but poor skid performance, and (II) aggregates with low polish value but good performance. This report summarizes the background and deficiencies of the current polish value specification and test procedures.

Evaluation of State Quality Assurance Program Effectiveness

Evaluation of State Quality Assurance Program Effectiveness
Author: James S. Moulthrop
Publisher:
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2012
Genre: Quality assurance
ISBN:

In early 2008, the Federal Highway Administration issued a task order under the Advanced Quality Systems Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for a contractor to quantify the effectiveness of State quality assurance (QA) programs. The objective of the study was to develop, apply, and make recommendations for the use of a procedure that transportation departments could use to quantify and improve the effectiveness of existing quality assurance programs. Based on the knowledge and experience of the research team, four State highway agencies (SHAs) were chosen to participate. An introductory project meeting was held in December 2008, but due to personnel problems, only three agencies participated. The goal of the meeting was to discuss the objectives and scope of the project with State representatives and request their input. The three SHAs agreed to provide QA data from construction projects in their State for the team to analyze. Because sufficient data were not available to accomplish the original task, the scope was modified to use an analysis of acceptance procedures included in the agencies' specifications instead of using actual QA data. In summary, four SHA construction specifications were selected for analysis from three SHAs, two for hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements and two for portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. The study shows that either the computer program SPECRISK or computer simulation can be used to analyze the statistical risks of most, if not all, specifications. Both HMA pavement specifications and one of the PCC pavement specifications were amenable to analysis by SPECRISK because they are based on percent within limits as the statistical quality measure. The remaining PCC pavement specification was based on averages and had to be analyzed by computer simulation. Probabilistic Optimization for Profit (Prob.O.Prof) was one of the software programs anticipated to be useful in the analysis. However, it required data that were not available and thus could not be used in the analyses. The report includes analysis of the specifications, particularly the risks involved and recommendations for improving areas that are considered unclear or statistically invalid.

Evaluation of State Quality Assurance Program Effectiveness

Evaluation of State Quality Assurance Program Effectiveness
Author: James S. Moulthrop
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012
Genre: Quality assurance
ISBN:

In early 2008, the Federal Highway Administration issued a task order under the Advanced Quality Systems Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract for a contractor to quantify the effectiveness of State quality assurance (QA) programs. The objective of the study was to develop, apply, and make recommendations for the use of a procedure that transportation departments could use to quantify and improve the effectiveness of existing quality assurance programs. Based on the knowledge and experience of the research team, four State highway agencies (SHAs) were chosen to participate. An introductory project meeting was held in December 2008, but due to personnel problems, only three agencies participated. The goal of the meeting was to discuss the objectives and scope of the project with State representatives and request their input. The three SHAs agreed to provide QA data from construction projects in their State for the team to analyze. Because sufficient data were not available to accomplish the original task, the scope was modified to use an analysis of acceptance procedures included in the agencies' specifications instead of using actual QA data. In summary, four SHA construction specifications were selected for analysis from three SHAs, two for hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements and two for portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. The study shows that either the computer program SPECRISK or computer simulation can be used to analyze the statistical risks of most, if not all, specifications. Both HMA pavement specifications and one of the PCC pavement specifications were amenable to analysis by SPECRISK because they are based on percent within limits as the statistical quality measure. The remaining PCC pavement specification was based on averages and had to be analyzed by computer simulation. Probabilistic Optimization for Profit (Prob. O. Prof) was one of the software programs anticipated to be useful in the analysis. However, it required data that were not available and thus could not be used in the analyses. The report includes analysis of the specifications, particularly the risks involved and recommendations for improving areas that are considered unclear or statistically invalid.

Construction Inspection Handbook

Construction Inspection Handbook
Author: James J. O'Brien
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 794
Release: 1989
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN:

In addition to quality control (QC), this book introduces the concept of quality assurance (QA). Quality assurance has a number of definitions, but in general is the combination of the quality assurance plan with procedures through which the quality control inspector can inspect in the field. The book is arranged in categories so that is can be used in handbook fashion; each section stands independent of the others. The arrangement of the major portion of the book is organized in the same format as we usually find in building construction specification, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) format.

Investigation of Quality Control/quality Assurance Data to Review Current Specifications for Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Acceptance in Kansas

Investigation of Quality Control/quality Assurance Data to Review Current Specifications for Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Acceptance in Kansas
Author: Shuvo Islam
Publisher:
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

Quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) attributes of highway construction must be measured and achieved throughout each project. Statistical specifications are commonly used to ensure compliance of QC and QA attributes, and attribute data must be reviewed periodically to improve specifications for agencies and contractors. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) typically considers concrete compressive strength and slab thickness to be QC attributes for portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. This study reviewed KDOT QC/QA data from 24 PCC projects to investigate the effects of statistical level of significance and sample size on pay adjustment. Pay adjustments were calculated based on current KDOT practices and practical performance models (PPMs). Results showed no significant differences between lot means for all projects at any significance level or for any sample size, and no specific patterns were observed in pay adjustments for changing sample sizes. The PPM yielded higher pay deductions compared to current KDOT practices. This study also implemented a multivariate control chart to monitor and regulate the KDOT QC/QA process. Further investigation should explore why no significant differences were evident in lot means for strength and thickness; further research is also recommended to study the effect of sublot size on pay adjustment since pay adjustments can vary with the number of sublots. Coefficients of the PPM methods must be revisited if KDOT implements PPM methods for pay adjustments. Although use of a multivariate process control chart could be useful, especially when multiple variables are included in the QC process, further research is needed to effectively implement multivariate process control charts into the QC process.

Gravel Roads

Gravel Roads
Author: Ken Skorseth
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2000
Genre: Gravel roads
ISBN:

The purpose of this manual is to provide clear and helpful information for maintaining gravel roads. Very little technical help is available to small agencies that are responsible for managing these roads. Gravel road maintenance has traditionally been "more of an art than a science" and very few formal standards exist. This manual contains guidelines to help answer the questions that arise concerning gravel road maintenance such as: What is enough surface crown? What is too much? What causes corrugation? The information is as nontechnical as possible without sacrificing clear guidelines and instructions on how to do the job right.