ROLE OF HIGH-LEVEL PROJECT PROFESSIONALS’ PERCEPTIONS ON QUALITY PROCESSES IN DIRECTING THE INVESTIGATION OF CAUSES

OF PREMATURE PAVEMENT DISTRESSES: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

M B Mgangira, S Das and J O’Connell

M B Mgangira, Dr.-Ing., Pr. Eng

Southern African Transport Conference 2016 CSIR International Conference Centre

4 July 2016

Introduction

IntroductionWhy?

Introduction

IntroductionOccurrence of premature

pavement distresses

Introduction

Longitudinal Cracking

Introduction

Severe Rutting

Introduction

Good practice calls forinvestigation to find thecauses

Extent of investigation depends on the client requirements

Introduction

Who done it?

Introduction

Causes

Combination of failuresDesign errors

Inadequate quality control, testing and procedures

Inadequate construction supervisionPoor communication

Introduction

Causes of errors

UnawarenessInexperience

Mistakes such as noncompliance

Slips and lack of attention

Thank you

Context

Consequences of errors only manifest themselves long after

they occurred

They reside in a system until they become an actual failure

= PATHOGENES

Busby and Hughes (2004)

Context

Which way to find Who done it?

ContractorConsultant

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Context

Forensic investigation

Objective Scientifically conducted Systematically recorded

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Context

Phases of the investigation

Data collection Analysis Solutions and recommendations

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Data collection: Test Pit

Context

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Context

Findings

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Context

Consequences of errors only manifest themselves long after

they occurred

They reside in a system until they become an actual failure

= PATHOGENES

Busby and Hughes (2004)

Context

Can perceptionof high-level professionals provide an indication?

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Process

High-level professionals interviewed and responded to a

questionnaire

Contractor representatives Consultant representative Owner

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Process

Different attitudes towards the survey

Overall rating of project A75% rated project as Good

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Process

Overall rating

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Responses Project A

Item Response (%)

Strongly Agree

Agree Not Sure (Missing)

Disagree Strongly Disagree

Construction Supervision Consultant communicated project specification to the Contractor correctly

12.5

75

12.5

0

0

Change in scheduling was communicated to Contractor in time

25

50

12.5

12.5

0

There was regular communication between Construction Supervision Consultant and Contractor’s engineer

25

50

(12.5)

0

12.5

Communication

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Responses

Item Response (%)

Strongly Agree

Agree Not Sure (Missing)

Disagree Strongly Disagree

Regular in-situ testing was carried out during the duration of the project

12.5

75

0

0

12.5

Quality check for materials was NOT done routinely

0

0

12.5

50

37.5

Laboratories that conducted quality checks in this project can be relied upon

37.5

62.5

0

0

0

Laboratory reports can be influenced

12.5

12.5

50

25 0

Quality of testing

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Responses

Item Response (%)

Strongly Agree

Agree Not Sure (Missing)

Disagree Strongly Disagree

The General Specifications of the project were understood by the contractor

12.5

50

0

37.5

0

The project tender documents were understood by the contractor

0

50

0

25

25

Contract documentation

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Responses Project B

Perception item Contractor Road Authority Consultant

Cause of the Defect

External environment (climate, traffic loading)

Poor workmanship, design, materials

Poor workmanship / design / materials

Project Specifications

Project specifications insufficiently strict to maintain performance

Adequate Adequate

Skill Sets Own skills set was adequateQuestioned the skills set of the Road Authority

Own skills set was adequate. Questioned the skills set of the Contractor

Own skills set was adequateQuestioned the skills set of the Contractor

Indicators

Understanding of GeneralSpecifications

Lack of clarity of information in Special Specifications

Or poorly compiled specifications

Indicators

Linkage between perceptionand extent of awarenessof quality processes during project execution

identification of root causesof premature pavement distress

and

Thank you