OVERVIEW OF

MATERIALS TESTING
AND
QUALITY CONTROL

MATERIALS QUALITY CONTROL

What is Quality?
Quality is degree of
excellence.

What is Control?
Control is to regulate.

 What is Quality Control?

Quality Control is checking

in conformance to requirements.
It is instituted during the course
of construction as a preventive
tool, not a corrective measure.
Preventive measures are always
more economical.

QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS

PLANNING and DESIGN

ACCEPTANCE

SPECIFICATIONS
INSPECTION

SAMPLING and
TESTING

DESIGN
Provide a comprehensive
classification of the characteristics
and performance requirement of
the materials
Written contract documents which includes
SPECIFICATION
the following:

materials and workmanship

requirements
inspection and testing procedures
procedures for measurement and
payment of the
work

SAMPLING
Selection by a standard method of a
representative portion of a material for
the purpose of ascertaining its
characteristics.

QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURE IN

SELECTION OF MATERIALS

1. SELECTION OF MATERIAL
2. HANDLING AND STORAGE OF
MATERIALS
a. No Materials shall be incorporated into
work until tested and found satisfactory.
b. The approval of preliminary samples
shall not be considered as a guarantee of
acceptance of all materials from the
same source.
c. Any materials which have been
sampled and passed as satisfactory may
be sampled again and retested anytime
before, during and after incorporation

3. SAMPLING AND TESTING OF MATERIALS

a. Quality Control Program

b. Minimum Testing Requirements
c. Preparatory testing of Manufactured
Materials such as cement, steel bars,
asphalt, etc

QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM

specifies the minimum number of tests
required for an item of work which
correspond to the quantities stated in the
Program of Work of a project

CONDITIONS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF

MATERIALS
1. No material shall be incorporated into the
work until tested and found satisfactory

2. The approval of preliminary samples shall

not be considered as a guarantee of
acceptance of all materials from the same
source, as the quality or quantity of such
materials
3. Any material which had been sampled and
passed as satisfactory maybe sampled
again and retested.

PURPOSE OF INSPECTION

1. Ensure that requirements of the contract

documents will be carried out
2. The use of unacceptable substitutes will
be avoided
3. Making errors that might result to
unnecessary maintenance cost will be
avoided
4. Extra work will be minimized
5. Materials and workmanship that are
guaranteed will be evaluated at the time
of installation.

ACCEPTANCE
procedure through which the owner agrees that an
item of work, unit of material or project has been
furnished in accordance with the specification

Project
Implementation and
Its
Function

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Regional Director

Assistant Regional Director

Project Engineer

Materials Engineer

Project Inspector

Laboratory
Technician

Project Facilitator

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MATERIALS ENGINEER

LABARATORY TECHNICIAN

1.To ascertain that all materials

incorporated into the work pass the
requirements of DPWH Standard
Specifications for Highways, Bridges
and Airports and strictly comply with
the schedule of Minimum Testing
Requirements.

1. To conduct proper methods on

sampling of construction materials on
the field and laboratory.

2. To advice the Project Engineer on the

acceptance or rejection of construction
materials intended for use in the
project, based on test results.

2. To perform correct and reliable test

on the samples of construction
materials on accordance to standard
testing procedure.

3. Recommended the Project Engineer

remedial measures for the correction of
unsatisfactory conditions of materials.

3. To prepare clear and correct

computation of test in the laboratory
worksheets.

4. To prepare Quality Control Program

(QCP) of the project based on the
standard minimum testing
requirements.

4. To ensure the reliability of laboratory

testing apparatus and equipment prior
to conduct of tests.

5. To accomplish the weekly Certificate

of Quality Control Assurance (CQCA)
reports of the project.

5. To maintain the cleanliness of

laboratory apparatus/equipment and
laboratory working area.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MATERIALS ENGINEER

LABARATORY TECHNICIAN

6. To prepare mixes for concrete

and bituminous mixtures.

6. To maintain efficient files of

laboratory worksheets and tests
reports.

7. To fully acquaint himself with

the standard procedures of
sampling, testing and control.

7. To report to Materials Engineer

any defective
apparatus/equipment and
accessories and other necessary
needs for the completion of
laboratory works.

8. To see that the laboratory is

adequately equipped such that
the program of the work will not
be impeded to laboratory testing
and that non-performance of tests
should not be a cause of delay in
the prosecution of the work.
9. To submit within required time
frame tests reports and other
pertinent quality control/reports
to his office.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT ENGINEER

PROJECT INSPECTOR

1. In- charge of the overall

planning and control of the
project.

1. Assists the Project Engineer in

the overall directions and
supervision of the field
operation.

2. Ensures that materials and

workmanship are at all times in
accordance with plans and
specifications.

2. Ensures that the works being

inspected are in accordance with
the plans.

a. Is authorized to reject
materials which fail to meet
specifications requirements
even though they have
previously passed
requirements.

3. Witness critical activities of

the project .

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT ENGINEER

PROJECT INSPECTOR

b. Is authorized to require the

contractor to discontinue
operations if the workmanship or
methods employed would
adversely affect the quality,
durability or appearance of the
work.

4. Notifies, the project engineer in

case there are deviations from
approved plans and specifications.

c. Is directly supervise the

sampling and quality control
/testing as well as check test to
verify the quality of materials for
incorporation into the work.

5. Conduct and monitor daily

activities including weather
conditions and maintains a
logbook to record such activities.
6. Prepares and submits
statement of works accomplished.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT ENGINEER

PROJECT INSPECTOR

3. Ensures that inspections and

tests are carried out promptly
and timely.

7. Prepares and submit

physical/financial status to the
project engineer.

a. If necessary test shall be

conducted for as long as the
project is not yet completed and
there are materials not tested
prior to its actual use.

8. Carry out instructions/orders

of the project engineer.

b. Check/verifies the quantities

reported in the certificate of
Quality Control Assurance(CQCA).
Quantities being claimed should
have corresponding test results
accompanying the CQCA.
c. Issue and approve pouring
permit for Asphalt and concreting
works.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT ENGINEER
4. Witness critical activities of
the project.
5. Check/verifies physical and
financial status of the project.
6. Check/verifies statement of
work accomplished.
7. Issues work suspension orders
and other site instructions.
8. Prepares proposed Change
Order, Extra Work Order or
Supplemental Work Agreement,
when necessary.
9. Maintains and/or updates field
documentation such as log book,
plans and program of work,
schedules, S-curve, laboratory
tests results, etc.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PROJECT ENGINEER
10. To strictly supervise his
laboratory technicians in the
performance of field and
laboratory tests.
10. Resolves problems
encountered in the
implementation of the project.
11. Coordinates with Project
Consultants, NGOs and other
officials concerned in project
implementation.

ROLE OF ENGINEERS /INSPECTORS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION

OF MATERIALS TESTING IN THE PROJECTS

It is the responsibility of Engineers/Inspectors to insure

that the highest quality of materials and work shall be
incorporated into the project. Quality of materials is the
primary responsibility of Materials Engineer which includes
the sampling, testing, inspection and the submittal of data
and recommendations on whether, whatever corrective
measures may be done to improve the quality and make the
materials acceptable. Project Engineers shall not concerned
only on the quantity accomplishment of the works but he has
the overall responsibility in terms of materials quality. He
must have the technical know how of materials testing and
quality control to enable him to check and regulate the use of
construction materials and to economize on the cost of
materials for the project. He must have the ability to
interpret the results of tests as basis for the acceptance and
rejection of materials.