Quality management and control measures
in the context of concrete block production

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 3: Substrate with insufficient water permeability

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 1a: Increased suction behavior of the facing concrete ...

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 1b: ... of paving blocks

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 2: Slow drying behavior of the facing concrete of paving blocks

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 4: Increased rear moisture penetration of the core concrete of paving blocks

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Figure: Sika Deutschland

Fig. 5: Picture of the water penetration test provided by Sika Germany

Figure: Sika Deutschland

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 6: Strong efflorescence in the center of the slab

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 7: Exposure to moisture and resulting efflorescence
in the block and slab edge zones

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 8a: Existing correlation between the drying behavior ...

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 8b: ... and the scaling resistance of paving blocks

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 9: Hairline cracks in curbstones

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

Fig. 10: No correlation between the drying behavior and the scaling resistance of curbstones

Figure: MPVA Neuwied

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In addition to the standardized methods for conformity verification (in accordance with DIN EN 1338 and DIN EN 1339), quality-conscious concrete block producers use further quality control procedures, which should be as simple as possible while delivering reliable results very quickly.

1 Quality management and control measures

The problem with quality management and control in the production of concrete paving blocks and slabs is that all the test methods described in relevant codes and standards (splitting tensile strength, scaling resistance, etc.) only provide meaningful results at a high test age (generally starting at 28 days). By this time, however, the products will often have been delivered to the job site and used for installing block pavements, which is why the results of these normative methods are usually unsuitable for the quality control and management...