Quality Control of Concrete

This book, titled "Concrete Quality Control: A Study of Segregation in Urban Construction," analyzes the phenomenon of segregation observed during the construction project for 1,300 apartment units in the town of Olembe, Cameroon. The Olembe project is part of a large-scale program to build 10,000 social housing units launched by the Cameroonian government. This study was initiated in response to numerous instances of infrastructure damage-such as the collapse of buildings and other structures-recorded in the country in recent years. Surface deformations, consisting mainly of poorly embedded gravel nests and corroded reinforcing bars, were observed on site. The heterogeneity of the concrete identified here is believed to stem from multiple stages of processing. This could lead to porosity defects that compromise compressive strength. The durability of structures could thus be completely compromised. This study is therefore intended as a tool to raise awareness and improve the understanding of various stakeholders regarding this phenomenon, which is all too often observed yet neglected in urban construction.