INTRODUCING AND MANAGING QUALITY SCHEME FOR RMC INDUSTRY IN SAUDI ARABIA

The use of ready-mixed concrete (RMC) for construction in developing countries had experienced tremendous growth. In Saudi Arabia, the production and use of RMC is now widespread, but the quality of concrete construction is still generally substandard. The RMC industry is not regulated or monitored. This has contributed to a general disregard for the basics of good quality as well as cheating by some RMC producers. To rectify the situation and to improve the performance of RMC producers, systematic external monitoring and inspection is required. Thus, the Municipality of Riyadh has started implementing a mandatory quality scheme for RMC plants operating in the city. The scheme was designed considering the difficulties and constraints common to implementing a quality scheme in developing countries. This paper gives details of the quality scheme as developed for RMC in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the scheme's objectives, its elements, and the major difficulties and challenges encountered during its development and implementation are highlighted and discussed. This scheme's impact on the performance of RMC producers and the quality of concrete produced during the first 2 years are presented. The implementation of the scheme has resulted in tangible improvement in all aspects of RMC operation and product quality. Based on the experience and progress achieved so far, it is concluded that a mandatory quality scheme can be introduced successfully into the existing RMC industry in developing countries with immediate benefits to the industry and its customers.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/8675438
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Alhozaimy, A M
  • Al-Negheimish, A I
• Publication Date: 1999-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 249-255
• Serial:
  • Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9364
  • EISSN: 1943-7862
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jcemd4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete construction; Developing countries; Industrial plants; Industries; Inspection; Management; Monitoring; Quality control; Ready mixed concrete
• Geographic Terms: Riyadh (Saudi Arabia); Saudi Arabia
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Materials; I10: Economics and Administration; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767752
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: CMS-9415105, CMS-9733267
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 6 1999 12:00AM