Field Quality Control on Earthdam: Statistical Graphics for Gauging

Abstract

Field quality control on an earthdam consists of three complementary and somewhat overlapping operations: visual inspection and continual corrections of the works in progress, gauging the process and the product, and monitoring the dam by instrumentation. The present work concentrates on the second operation, gauging, which is based principally on sampling, with subsequent testing and recording numerous data. Modern statistical graphics offers most powerful tools in extracting and succinctly conveying essential information from a multiplicity of recorded data. In our case this information is essential in two respects: (1) During construction, in pointing at the rate of occurrence and the severity of quality defects, so as to take timely remedial actions; and (2) after completion of the project, in: (1) Assessing the overall performance of the gauging operation; and (2) providing a conspectus of the properties in the accepted product.