Assessing the Effect of Quality Based Factors on the Compliance Level of Quality Control and Concrete Waste Management in Buildings Construction-Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

Low compliance with quality control practices has resulted in more buildings collapsing during or shortly after construction and increased demolitions across the Kenyan construction industry. This has increased the concrete waste generation rate, and project cost overrun. Improved solid waste generation from construction has deemed existing waste management frameworks ineffective in curbing the amount of waste generated. Concrete solid waste dominates construction and demolition waste, demanding exploration of viable methods to reduce or prevent its generation, given that concrete is among the most utilized construction materials with both cost and environmental impacts. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive survey to evaluate the effect of quality control-related factors on the quality control and concrete waste management level of compliance. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through questionnaires, on-site observation checklists, interviews with construction professionals, and reviewing relevant documents and records. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. The potential influence level of quality factors evaluated was high, with post-cast, formwork, and pre-finish quality factors statistically significant in causing concrete waste generation and with their frequent occurrence affecting the level of compliance negatively. The researcher recommends that building contractors employ a quality control-based approach to managing resources to reduce or prevent waste. The study results can be implemented by enforcing the inclusivity of this approach by contractors while submitting their compliance reports to environmental regulatory bodies assessing waste management compliance.