Bangkok: The State Audit Office (SAO) has reaffirmed the necessity for the ITD-CREC joint venture contractors to adhere to legal requirements concerning the precise mixing of concrete. The focus lies on achieving a cylindrical compressive strength of 380 ksc in cement balls, a pivotal parameter in ensuring the structural integrity of construction projects.
According to Thai News Agency, the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand (OAG) has outlined comprehensive procedural guidelines for concrete works. The ITD-CREC Joint Venture, comprising Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Company Limited, is obligated to execute construction projects in strict compliance with contract terms, including accompanying documents such as construction drawings and structural engineering designs.
The guidelines stipulate that the construction contractor must present a detailed list of mix calculations to be approved by the joint venture of Forum Architects Co., Ltd. and Meinhardt (Thailand) Co., Ltd., with an engineer’s certification required. The use of certified ready-mixed concrete, adhering to Industrial Product Standards (TIS 213), is mandated for various structural components, with provisions for alternative concrete types if deemed unsuitable.
The contractor has sought approval for ready-mixed concrete from TPI Concrete Co., Ltd. and Nakorn Luang Concrete Co., Ltd., certified under TIS 213, to be used across foundations, piles, and prestressed concrete floors, given the project’s substantial material demands. The approved compressive strength for certain structures exceeds original specifications, highlighting the contractor’s proactive measures in ensuring material resilience.
In a further step, the contractor submitted a Request for Information (RFI) to the construction supervisor, PKW Joint Venture, seeking validation from the design contractor regarding concrete material approvals. The design contractor confirmed compliance with structural criteria, subsequently communicated to the construction contractor by the supervisor.
The supervising contractor, acting on behalf of the Office of the Auditor General, meticulously oversees material approval requests and testing processes, reporting findings to the Acceptance Committee. The ready-mixed concrete proposals have been verified against structural designs and engineering work requirements, with certifications from a third-level civil engineer affirming their appropriateness.
Quality testing of concrete materials is conducted by sending samples to King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, and the Department of Science Service. These tests are essential in verifying the material standards as per the contract’s structural engineering work list.
Concrete samples undergo rigorous daily collection and testing, ensuring compliance with specified compressive strengths across different structural components. The contractor is responsible for delivering work accompanied by concrete quality test reports, with the supervising contractor ensuring adherence to contractual obligations through comprehensive inspections and certifications.
The results of concrete quality tests, as submitted by the supervising contractor, consistently meet the contract’s stringent standards, facilitating the acceptance of work in scheduled installments. The material acceptance committee’s evaluations confirm compliance with all contractual terms and associated documentation.