Global Knowledge Management and Economy - Nik Zafri

The Star Global Malaysians Forum - Posted: 10 July 2005 at 6:07pm

(In response to another e-mail)

Dear friend

I do hope that the next time, you will try to post your question 'in the open'. You can use pseudonym if you want to. I adopt a 'transparent' concept in networking so that all forum members may benefit from it - it's a learning and teaching environment.

Here's the information that you've asked and lucky you - it's in BM as you wanted. Judging by the your 'questioning techniques', I'm pretty sure that you are from Civil and Building/Structural Engineering Works.

Please be reminded that this model may subject to (generic) minor/major changes if you are involved in highway construction (civil)

There's a lot more where that came from.

I do not have the full answer to your question on 'aggregate and concerete' but I do have something that may help you out. (the following is ONLY a preliminary research (literature review) and not the thesis itself)

Besides British Standards 812, you should also cross reference to BS 882 as well. Please contact BSI or SIRIM Library (I am unsure if they have an equivalent MS Standard..perhaps you can enquire - but I do also know that some BS standards are also available over there)

On your other query of how or where to start, try to make your own assumption first by creating your own target on the interelationship between the following values with the concrete strength and the targetted ages typically 7, 14 & 28 days:

* Aggregate Impact/Crush Values (please specify grade), x% fine values, water absorption Value, LA Abrasion Value, Polished Stone Value

The usual testings are Crush Cube and Flexural tests with respective dimensions of x X y X z mm (e.g. 150 X 150 X 150mm).

Sungai Long Industries (Bina Puri Group - Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng) was one of the quarry (in Hulu Langat) used to be under my direct ISO 9001:2000 consulting supervision. (now certified) Perhaps you can also contact them and refer to my name (find a guy called Baljit - if he's still there) I'm also unsure if they would allow you to take samples from them.

On your question about engaging quality management consultant, I must advise you not to engage QM Consultant having inferior or no knowledge at all in the construction industry - otherwise you'll end up in chaos! I've seen a small number of quality consultants (with the necessary professional affiliations) have spoiled their clients (main contractors) by giving a 'xerox QMS documentation' from a manufacturing industry. A client of mine was very lucky to catch hold of me when THEIR clients are 'shouting' to get the earthworks & piling method statements but instead were being given some work instructions that has no absolute relation to the client's specification, drawing, design brief and even contractual requirements. Even the procedures are text based and NONE of them are flow-chart/process-flow based. Although I have managed to pacify the Client (who was about to terminate the contract of the main contractor), I must admit that I was 'a bit dissapointed' to see this is happening as the scenario may have somehow (to a certain degree) 'spoiled' the reputation of genuine/experienced consultants.

You appear to have the necessary qualifications and experience in Construction both QA/QC, I think with proper guide, you can do it!

Many years ago, somewhere between 1995-1997 when I was the weekly columnist for Utusan Malaysia talking about ISO 9000, TQM, OSH & EMS, there was another columnist for The Star talking about ISO 9000 in the Construction Industry. His name is Tim D. Alcock and we kinda know each other. At that time Tim was working with a consulting firm known as QMI. I will e-mail you his latest e-mail address in UK. Another 'senior' company that has been doing ISO 9000 in the construction industry - LONG before construction ISO became a trend in Malaysia (that time, it was known as BS 5750) is a company called Balfour Beatty (also involved in the country's double track project) where I was in the Engineering Department in one of their projects many years back. You may also wanted to get in touch with them as well if you're in UK.