Title: Statistical process control and strength monitoring of ready-mixed concrete through the application of CUSUM and EWMA control charts: a case study of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar RMC plants

Authors: Jishnu Gohel; Debasis Sarkar; H.B. Raghavendra

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, 382007, Gujarat, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, 382007, Gujarat, India ' School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, 382007, Gujarat, India

Abstract: This research work is an attempt to improve the quality of concrete by implementing statistical process control tools like CUSUM with V-mask and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts for ready-mixed concrete (RMC) plants in the Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad regions of India. These tools are used for sensitising the qualitative analysis of concrete in terms of the 28 days cube compressive strength. It has been observed that the RMC plant authorities were using an over-conservative mix design for the grades of concrete produced. This practice resulted in the usage of more cement than that stipulated in the mix design. The usage of higher cement content is wastage of resource. Also, this practice results in adverse side effects like production of more heat of hydration which creates shrinkage cracks. The application of these tools for strength monitoring would result in cost savings of about INR 4.8 million to 7.2 million per annum.

Keywords: statistical process control; SPC; quality monitoring; ready-mixed concrete; RMC; cumulative sum; CUSUM; exponentially weighted moving average; EWMA; control charts; root cause analysis; cause and effect diagram.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2018.097352

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2018 Vol.7 No.2, pp.178 - 204

Received: 08 Dec 2017
Accepted: 29 Sep 2018
Published online: 15 Jan 2019 *

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