APPLICATION OF STATISTICS IN SPECIFICATIONS, QUALITY CONTROL, AND ACCEPTANCE PLANS FOR MATERIALS

AUTHORIZATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL SYSTEM OF INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS PRODUCED GENERAL DISSATISFACTION WITH THE CURRENT INSPECTION POLICIES IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION WHICH LED TO VARIOUS REACTIONS BY THE PARTIES CONCERNED. A CONCEPT OF QUALITY CONTROL BY A STATISTICAL MEANS IS RECOMMENDED TO FURNISH A SOLUTION TO THE DILEMMA IN WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FINDS ITSELF. THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN INTRODUCING A SYSTEM OF QUALITY CONTROL BY STATISTICAL MEANS. THE ALABAMA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK A RESEARCH STUDY ON STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL OF CONSTRUCTION TOLERANCES. THE STUDY CONSISTED OF THREE PARTS: (1) AN EMBANKMENT PROJECT, (2) A BASE AND BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT PROJECT AND, (3) A BASE AND PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT PROJECT. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY WAS TO ESTABLISH PARAMETERS TO BE USED IN DEVELOPING STATISTICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION. SPECIFICATION WRITING, QUALITY CONTROL, AND ACCEPTANCE PLANS ARE DISCUSSED. THE ALABAMA STUDY HAS PROVED THAT PRESENT SPECIFICATIONS DO PRODUCE AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF QUALITY IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION WHEN ANALIZED BY STATISTICAL METHODS. HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING OBSTACLES TO THE ACCEPTANCE OF THIS METHOD OF TESTING BY ALL PARTIES ARE: (1) THE EDUCATION OF THE FIELD INSPECTION PERSONNEL WHO WILL BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE THIS SYSTEM, (2) TO OBTAIN THE CONTRACTORS' ACCEPTANCE AND SUPPORT OF THIS SYSTEM, (3) THE ACCEPTANCE OF STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS, AND (4) THE NATURAL RESISTANCE TO ANY CHANGE.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • pp 118-132, 14 FIG
• Authors:
  • David, J H
• Publication Date: 1967-11

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Southeast Assoc St Hwy Officials

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Base course (Pavements); Bituminous pavements; Concrete pavements; Construction; Embankments; Engineering tolerance; Inspectors; Portland cement concrete; Quality control; Road construction; Specifications; Statistical analysis; Statistical quality control; Training
• Uncontrolled Terms: Construction specifications
• Old TRIS Terms: Tolerances
• Subject Areas: Construction; Data and Information Technology; Education and Training; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00215189
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: pp 109-115
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 4 1994 12:00AM