Factors Identification and Conformance of Quality of Cement and Coarse Aggregate used at Gautama Buddha Airport Upgrading Component, Nepal

Abstract

Quality management system has been challenging in construction of airport project. The objective of study is to assess the factors affecting quality and conformance of Cement and Coarse Aggregate standard used at Construction Site of Gautam Buddha Airport Upgrading Component. This research is based on key informant interview with supervisor and site engineers, questionnaires survey with clients, consultants and contractors who were involved in airport construction projects along with lab test of cement and coarse aggregate of airport construction sites. Statistical tools mean value and relative importance index were used for the ranking of different quality methods. Airport follows specification and standard technical guidelines for the airport construction work. The major factors affecting the quality management in airport construction was Unavailability of competent staff, Low quality drawing and specification and Poor-quality procedure and department for ensuring quality assurance practice Provide training and seminar on quality assurance and Support the setting up of quality assurance department in construction firms. It was found that average Compressive strength of cube of 3 days, 7 days and 28days is18.8N/mm2(>16N/mm2), 27.20N/mm2(>22N/mm2) and 39.40N/mm2(>33N/mm2) respectively. The average initial setting Time and final setting time of cement is 180 min(>45min) and 351 min(<600min) respectively and average soundness of cement is 2.7mm(<10mm). The test for aggregate, it was found that average Los Angeles Abrasion value of aggregate was 32.8%(<40%), average crushing value of aggregate was 19.88%(<25%), Flakiness index of aggregate found that 19.85%(<25%) and the gradation of aggregate was found that within specification. Quality in airport construction starts from selection of material, inspection, tests employed.